ASSC Open Surgery: Legal Strategy and Advocacy Fund Update – held on 30th July 2025

Was held on Wednesday 30th July 2025

What Was This Meeting About?

A special Open Surgery meeting to discuss ASSC’s current legal workstreams, strategic objectives, and how we can collectively support ongoing advocacy through the ASSC’s ringfenced Advocacy Fund.

This session provided clarity on recent legal activity, outlined next steps, and allowed attendees to ask questions and contribute directly to the sector’s future.

What We Covered

• Recent victory on Non-Domestic Rates (NDR): Following ASSC pressure and legal input, the Scottish Government will amend regulations to rectify unfair Council Tax reclassifications affecting legitimate operators.
• Use Class Order (UCO) Reform: Updates on our formal engagement with Scottish Government to introduce a new UCO for self-catering, supported by legal advice from Brodies LLP and Burness Paull.
• Potential Third Judicial Review (JR): An update on our planned A1P1 legal challenge against disproportionate enforcement in STL Control Areas. A £10,000 contribution from Justice for Scotland’s Self-Caterers has funded a King’s Counsel opinion—your support will determine next steps.
• Closure of SPSO complaint: Why we have decided not to proceed with further SPSO action regarding unlawful COLU requirements.
• Why your support matters: Learn more about the Advocacy Fund, how it’s used, and why voluntary contributions are vital to delivering the legal, policy, and public affairs work that protects our industry.

Thank you to our Talks Sponsor: