Section 2: Special cases

Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 · 1973 c.52

Part I: Prescription

2(1)

If—

(a) land has been possessed by any person, or by any person and his successors, for a continuous period of twenty years openly, peaceably and without any judicial interruption; and

(b) the possession was founded on, and followed the execution of, a deed (whether or not registered or recorded ) which is sufficient in respect of its terms to constitute in favour of that person a real right in that land, or in land of a description habile to include that land, then, as from the expiry of that period, the real right so far as relating to that land shall be exempt from challenge except on the ground that the deed is invalid ex facie or was forged.

2(2)

This section applies—

(a) to the real right of the lessee under a lease; and

(b) to any other real right in land, being a real right of a kind which, under the law in force immediately before the commencement of this Part of this Act, was sufficient to form a foundation for positive prescription without the deed constituting the title to the real right having beenregistered or recorded,

but does not apply to servitudes or public rights of way.

2(3)

This section is without prejudice to section 1 of this Act or to section 20B or 20C of the Registration of Leases (Scotland) Act 1857 (c.26).

About this text

This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.