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Clients praise the ‘exceptional’ service, ‘pragmatic, solution-driven approach’, and ‘depth and breadth of knowledge’ of Brodies LLP’s employment team, which continued to expand in 2011 with the addition of Nigel Watson from Addleshaw Goddard LLP. New clients include Glasgow Caledonian University and Turning Point Scotland. Joan Cradden heads the practice.

Dundas & Wilson CS LLP shows ‘commitment to satisfying its clients’, and added Eddie Stobart and Heli-One Canada to its client list in 2011. Team head Eilidh Wiseman has ‘technical expertise’, and the ‘exceptional’ David Walker is ‘extremely responsive, dedicated and professional’.

Pinsent Masons LLP can now draw on McGrigors LLP’s ‘commercially focused’ team, Diane Nicol, has ‘strong sector knowledge’; Stuart Neilson ‘provides concise, sound advice in a friendly, pragmatic way’; and Kirsty Ayre is also recommended.

Anderson Strathern provides ‘highly competent and valuable service’. Its client list expanded in 2011 to include the Scottish Court Service, Universities Scotland and the University of Edinburgh. Alan Masson and Alun Thomas are the names to note.

Burness LLP expanded its employment team by recruiting Morag Hutchison from Pinsent Masons LLP, who provides ‘outstanding support’ and has the ‘willingness and ability to offer balanced and pragmatic advice’. Recent work includes advising ITN on its contract to provide news services to Channel 5.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP advised the Educational Institute of Scotland on industrial action in 2011. Other clients include Lothian and Borders Police, and Aberdeen Asset Management. Amanda Jones leads a ‘business-aware’ team, praised for its responsiveness.

MacRoberts LLP continues to act for two-thirds of Scotland’s local authorities in equal pay and other employment law matters, and provides ‘a reliable and consistent level of service’. Practice head Stephen Miller is ‘a very shrewd litigator’.

Morton Fraser provides ‘professional and accurate advice’, and acts for clients such as the Ministry of Defence, Schuh and HMRC. David Hossack and Lindsey Cartwright are recommended.

Paull & Williamsons LLP has ‘great strength in depth’ and particular expertise in employment matters relating to the oil and gas industry. Clients praise its ‘unquestionable’ industry knowledge, and ‘robust and appropriate’ advice. Sean Saluja is recommended.

Clients praise bto’s ‘sound, insightful and helpful’ employment law practice. The ‘practical and knowledgeable’ Caroline Carr leads the team, which acts for clients including the Medical Protection Society and Key Housing Association. David Hoey is ‘positive and encouraging’, and has ‘in-depth knowledge’.

DLA Piper Scotland LLP provides employment law advice to clients including Aggreko, Dobbies Garden Centres, HBOS and Scottish Water. The team has ‘an excellent knowledge of employment law and gives good, practical advice’.

HBJ Gateley is praised for its ‘excellent knowledge and practical advice’. The ‘professional yet approachable’ Kim Pattullo leads the group, which gained new clients Midlothian Council and Murray International Holdings in 2011. Jacqueline McCluskey is noted for her ‘excellent advice’.

Harper Macleod LLP’s ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ team handles all disputes for the Department for Work and Pensions in Scotland. New hire Lesley Murphy is recommended. Paul McMahon joined Brodies LLP.

Iain Atack’s team at Lindsays has particular experience in employment law matters relating to the education, charity, hospitality and leisure sectors.

McClure Naismith LLP advises on the full range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including dismissals and employment disputes, disciplinary and grievance matters, and business reorganisations. Alan Thomson leads the team.

Shepherd and Wedderburn advised Dundee College on its restructuring and collective redundancy consultation process. Practice head Neil Maclean is ‘approachable’, ‘very pragmatic and business focused’.

In 2011, Simpson & Marwick recruited Chris Phillips from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP. New clients include Peninsula Business Services and the Rutland Partnership. Practice head Sandy Kemp provides ‘outstanding service in terms of availability, responsiveness and knowledge’.

Turcan Connell provides ‘excellent service’. In particular, department head David Ogilvy has ‘a very supportive manner’ and has notable experience in representing senior executives from charities, family businesses and rural employers.

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Legal Developments in Scotland for Employment

  • Personal accounts and auto-enrolment: looking ahead

    The government plans to introduce a new national ‘personal accounts’ pension system in 2012. From October of that year, all employers will be required to auto-enrol eligible employees into either the government’s new personal accounts scheme or, if it meets certain ‘qualifying’ criteria, the employer’s own pension arrangement.
    - Eversheds LLP

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