These Regulations make provision in relation to the bringing into force of sections 39 and 128 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the Act”). The Bill for the Act received Royal Assent on 22 April 2016. Sections 125 to 127, 130 and 131 came into force the following day.

Section 39 of the Act requires the Scottish Ministers to make provision, by regulations, requiring information to be provided about persons who have controlling interests in owners and tenants of land, and about the publication of that information in a public register kept by the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland.

Section 39 of the Act was partially brought into force by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Commencement No. 8 and Saving Provision) Regulations 2018, for the limited purpose of the Scottish Ministers undertaking a consultation on the first proposed draft regulations and the associated proposed explanatory document, in accordance with section 41(1) and (2) of the Act.

Section 128(1) and (2) of the Act makes provision about Crown application.

Regulation 2 appoints 16 December 2020 for the coming into force of section 39 of the Act for all remaining purposes and for the coming into force of section 128 of the Act.