The Legal 500

United Kingdom > Scotland > Dispute resolution

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Commercial litigation

Brodies LLP fields one of Scotland’s largest litigation teams, which grew further with the opening of the Aberdeen office in 2011 and the recruitment of marine specialist Malcolm Mackay from Balfour+Manson LLP bringing the number of partners up to 14. Highlights included defending RBS in a landmark banking case seeking to recall an appointment of administrators. Practice co-heads Joyce Cullen and Robin Macpherson are recommended, and insolvency specialist Rachel Grant is ‘very knowledgeable in her field’.

Burness LLP’s ‘simply outstanding’ dispute resolution team acted for Baxters Food Group in proceedings against its former Irish distributor in 2011. Ewan McIntyre, who joined from Morton Fraser, is an expert in professional negligence cases and financial services litigation. Practice head Colin Hulme ‘communicates very clearly and has a sharp intellect’, and Philip Rodney is ‘inspirational and instructive to watch’.

Dundas & Wilson CS LLP’s contentious expertise spans finance, corporate insolvency, fraud and regulatory matters, and clients of the team include RBS, Scottish & Southern Energy and the University of Glasgow. Highlights in 2011 included representing Cosalt and its subsidiary GTC Group in multimillion-pound damages claims against two former directors. Lorna Sibbald heads the four-partner team, which includes Colin Hutton and newly promoted partner Gemma Lampert.

Pinsent Masons LLP gained a market-leading litigation practice from McGrigors LLP. The team acted for McMullen Group Holdings in a multimillion-pound dispute with a shareholder over a share purchase agreement before the Court of Session. Regulatory head Laura Cameron is recommended along with Jacqueline Harris, who provides ‘clear and strategic choices’, and Jim Cormack, who has a ‘calm and thoughtful manner’.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s ‘partner-level advice is very comprehensive and assistance at the more junior level is top notch’. Tim Edward leads the practice, and Ewan Easton ‘methodically approaches cases from every angle’. In 2011, the team defended Lloyds Banking Group against a claim brought by Lloyds TSB Foundation.

MacRoberts LLP’s four-partner commercial litigation team is ‘responsive, commercial and very good value for money’. Practice head Julie Hamilton ‘deals with everything in a calm, unfussy way’, and her ‘advice is always spot on’. Procurement disputes were a strong focus in 2011, and the team acted for an SPV in a £2.7m dispute concerning a claim arising from a PFI/PPP ICT subcontract.

Morton Fraser ‘unfailingly provides an excellent level of service’. Its clients include public sector entities such as City of Edinburgh Council as well as private corporations and banks. The group continued to act for Scottish Lion Insurance in a long-running petition for a scheme of arrangement that is being opposed by a number of major US policyholders. Newly appointed practice head Maggie Moodie ‘demonstrates vision, understanding and tenacity’, and Joy Barnard, John Barrie and senior associate Richard McMeeken ‘all provide straightforward, clear and sensible advice’.

Shepherd and Wedderburn brings together ‘excellent knowledge of Scottish law with the ability to explain legal points in plain English’. Six partners handle complex, high-value litigation for clients including Scottish Power and BAE Systems. The arrival of John MacKenzie has brought with it a significant IP and IT caseload, and highlights in 2011 included acting for Chivas Brothers Limited in a trade mark infringement case. The ‘approachable, responsive and practical’ David Anderson is also recommended.

Anderson Strathern’s broad-based contentious practice acted for Glencairn Scotch Whisky Company, owner of the Chivalry whisky brand, in a trade mark dispute with Chivas Brothers Limited. Robert Fife heads the team.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP leverages its extensive network to advise on cross-border disputes for a largely international client base. Practice head Rob Wilson is recommended for his mediation expertise.

The team at DWF Biggart Baillie draws praise for its ‘responsiveness and level of expertise’. In 2011 it defended Pfizer in a multi-party product liability action. Practice head Brent Haywood is recommended.

HBJ Gateley ‘strives to achieve the right decision for the client as quickly and sensibly as possible’, and shows ‘superb attention to detail’. Simon Catto’s team acted for international oil company Senergy in a £12m breach of contract claim against a sub-contractor. Catto is praised for his ‘no-nonsense approach’.

Simpson & Marwick’s ‘proactive and pragmatic’ team is ‘a source of consistently wise counsel’, particularly for insurance and construction disputes. It represented Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland in a multimillion-pound claim against Lloyds Banking Group. Managing partner Peter Anderson ‘provides useful insights’.

Tods Murray LLP focuses on ‘achieving a commercially realistic solution to entrenched problems without blinding the client with technical legal concepts’. It is particularly adept in the area of pensions disputes where it handles matters for clients such as Mercer Limited. Practice head Peter Paterson is ‘incisive and not overly legalistic’, and Elaine Brailsford has ‘a common-sense approach’.

At bto, Paul Motion is singled out for his ‘meticulous attention to detail’. It handles a broad range of contentious matters for clients including Kappa GB Limited, Cigna UK and Lloyds Banking Group.

Dual-qualified in English and Scottish law, Gordon Deane leads Balfour+Manson LLP’s disputes practice, which is known for its strength in property and professional negligence cases. The group represented Grant Estates Limited in three sets of proceedings concerning the setting aside of an administration.

DLA Piper Scotland LLP’s clients are ‘consistently satisfied with all aspects of the service’. The team handles work for public sector bodies as well as corporate entities, and recently advised Aircraft Medical Limited in defending a £40m patent claim brought by a US competitor. Hazel Moffat leads the team.

Harper Macleod LLP is recommended for its ‘strong client focus and quick grasp of complex cases’. In 2011 it represented Scottish Motor Auctions in a multimillion-pound damages claim arising from alleged breaches of warranty in a share purchase agreement. Practice head Rod McKenzie is praised for his ‘ability to see the bigger commercial picture’, and Sandy Hastie ‘tirelessly examines all the angles’.

Semple Fraser LLP’s commercial litigation capability is strongly tied to its real estate and planning practices, with clients encompassing high-profile business families, private companies and public sector entities. Kenneth Carruthers is the key contact.

Debt recovery

Harper Macleod LLP undertakes debt recovery work for a variety of clients including the Scottish government, River Clyde Homes and the Accountant in Bankruptcy. The team provides a ‘high standard’ of service, and practice head Dawn McKenzie is ‘very knowledgeable’ and ‘committed’.

Mark Higgins heads Irwin Mitchell’s team, which recently won new clients Mortgages plc and Virgin. Myra Scott is a specialist in lender litigation.

McClure Naismith LLP has expertise in consumer finance debt recovery. Glasgow-based Frank Johnstone leads the team, which acts for clients including Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Lloyds Banking Group and Siemens Financial Services.

TLT Scotland Ltd (previously Anderson Fyfe) acts for a broad range of creditors, including local authorities, utility companies and clearing banks.

Anderson Strathern continues to represent two of Scotland’s largest banks, and undertakes debt recovery work in tandem with banking litigation.

Led by Grant Hunter, bto handles volume unsecured as well as secured recoveries on behalf of mainstream UK banks. Its clients include American Express, Lloyds Banking Group and Cigna UK.

Bermans’ highly regarded practice undertakes both corporate and consumer debt recovery.

Blacklocks’ Edinburgh office provides specialist debt recovery services, and attracts instructions from English law firms and debt recovery agencies. Telfer Blacklock is the main contact.

David Whyte heads the team at Brodies LLP, which has particular expertise in property-related debts, including rent, common charges and insurances. Recent work includes advising PricewaterhouseCoopers on the recovery of a large portfolio of contested and uncontested debts.

Morton Fraser handles all forms of secured and unsecured debt recovery including mortgage arrears, asset and unpaid invoice recoveries, and commercial debts. Edinburgh-based Maggie Moodie leads the team, which represents clients including Nationwide Building Society, the Ministry of Defence and Edinburgh Academy.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s debt recovery team works together with the firm’s banking and finance litigation, restructuring and insolvency, and property teams. The group focuses on the recovery of debts for large commercial institutions. Clients include HSBC, Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance and Heineken.

Stephen Cowan leads the team at Yuill & Kyle, a niche debt recovery practice in Glasgow which handles volume recoveries for organisations as well as one-off services to individuals.

Aberdein Considine’s ‘extremely efficient’ group was reappointed in 2011 as sole Scottish supplier for Abbey and Alliance and Leicester. Other clients include Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays. Rob Aberdein is ‘innovative and creative’.

DWF Biggart Baillie’s team saw an increase in property-related debt recovery services, including rent recovery and service charge matters. It has experience representing commercial clients and private individuals, including Hammerson and AECOM.

HBJ Gateley is ‘fast, commercial and user friendly’, and asset recovery manager Rhona Cuthbert has ‘a no-nonsense attitude’. The team recently undertook work for City of Edinburgh Council.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP gives ‘consistent’ and ‘very professional’ service, and represents intermediaries in the property management sector including Savills, Jones Lang LaSalle and Drivers Jonas Deloitte.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2013 www.legal500.com