Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016

CHAPTER 2The Land Commissioners

Functions of the Land Commissioners

22Functions of the Land Commissioners

(1)The functions of the Land Commissioners are, on any matter relating to land in Scotland—

(a)to review the impact and effectiveness of any law or policy,

(b)to recommend changes to any law or policy,

(c)to gather evidence,

(d)to carry out research,

(e)to prepare reports,

(f)to provide information and guidance.

(2)The Land Commissioners must consider and advise on any such matter as the Scottish Ministers may refer to them.

(3)In exercising their functions the Land Commissioners must—

(a)have regard to—

(i)the land rights and responsibilities statement prepared under section 1 or revised under section 2,

(ii)the strategic plan prepared under section 8,

(iii)the programme of work prepared under section 9,

(b)collaborate with the Tenant Farming Commissioner.

(4)In so far as the exercise of their functions relates to agriculture and agricultural holdings, the Land Commissioners must have regard to the exercise of the Tenant Farming Commissioner’s functions conferred by section 24.

(5)In this section a “matter relating to land in Scotland” includes—

(a)ownership and other rights in land,

(b)management of land,

(c)use of land,

(d)the land use strategy prepared under section 57 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Land Commissioners: delegation of functions

23Land Commissioners: delegation of functions

(1)The Land Commissioners may authorise the following to exercise such of their functions, and to such extent, as they may determine—

(a)any committee,

(b)any employee of the Commission,

(c)any other person.

(2)Nothing in subsection (1) affects the responsibility of the Land Commissioners for the exercise of their functions.