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Burness LLP’s charities practice is headed by the highly regarded Stephen Phillips, and is singled out for its ‘knowledge of the sector and ability to keep up with what can be a very fast-changing context’. Paul Pia retired.

Turcan Connell’s team of three accredited specialists is led by Simon Mackintosh, who ‘clearly has a great deal of knowledge and experience’. Douglas Connell’s expertise includes the formation and governance of charities; and Gavin McEwan is a member of the working group advising Scottish ministers regarding Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIOs).

Anderson Strathern advises charities in areas including governance, regulatory and employment issues. The team also advises on the establishment of charities, such as the Bill McClaren Foundation. Team head and senior associate Anne Swarbrick is an accredited specialist, as is Robin Stimpson.

Lindsays focuses on the corporate aspects of charities law, including governance and reorganisations. Highlights included assisting on the merger of OneKind with St Andrew Animal Fund. Team head Alastair Keatinge has ‘exceptional and up-to-date knowledge’.

At Shepherd and Wedderburn, ‘all matters are dealt with very quickly with a great deal of industry knowledge’. Practice head Malcolm Rust is ‘very knowledgeable and personable’. The firm was appointed as sole legal adviser to the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Scottish Community Foundation (SCF).

Biggart Baillie LLP’s team, led by Gordon Wyllie, advises on matters across the spectrum of charity work, including governance, investment and reorganisation.

Gillespie Macandrew LLP acts for MacMillan Cancer Support on contentious matters, and is advising Poppyscotland on a cross-border merger. Practice head Tom Murray is recommended.

Morton Fraser provides a ‘very high-quality service, and is responsive, pragmatic and practical’. Adrian Bell heads the charities group, which advised on the merger between Deaf Action and the Tayside Deaf Association. Scott Rae retired in 2010.

T C Young has ‘truly excellent knowledge of Scottish charity law’. Group head Mark Ewing is the lead legal adviser for the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, and Turning Point Scotland.

Brodies LLP continues to advise the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, and focuses on corporate governance issues and structural matters. Brenda Scott heads the team, which includes Mark Clough QC.

HBJ Gateley represents charities, trustees, 
local authorities and charitable vehicles, on matters including mergers, and incorporation and registration. Practice head Glen Gilson and Douglas Hunter are recommended.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s charities group is headed by Alan Eccles, who has ‘formidable knowledge and legal expertise’. The team advised on the £300m merger of three Glasgow colleges with charitable status to create City of Glasgow College.

MacRoberts LLP provides an ‘excellent service’ with ‘prompt and relevant’ responses. It has expertise in relation to charitable trusts as well as on the corporate charities side. Clients include Learning and Teaching Scotland, and Sense Scotland. Group head Duncan Osler’s strengths lie in social enterprise, structuring and procurement matters.

Tods Murray LLP won new instructions from Bighearted Scotland in 2010, while other clients include St Columba’s Hospice, HIV Scotland and the Bank of Scotland Foundation. Team head Richard Findlay and Alistair Burrow are recommended.

Balfour + Manson LLP’s team is ‘very approachable and fully conversant with all aspects of charity law’. Practice head John Hodge is ‘an expert in his field’. The team advised on the establishment of The Linda Norgrove Foundation.

Dundas & Wilson CS LLP’s charities group, headed by Eric Galbraith, represents established clients such as Cancer Research UK and Save the Children Fund alongside new clients Roars not Whispers, and Oxfam.

McGrigors LLP’s charities group is now led by Caroline Wallace, after consultant Alan Boyd retired from the partnership. The team focuses on charities in the public sector, such as educational establishments.

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