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2008 saw Turcan Connell advise the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery in London on the high-profile acquisition of Titian’s Diana and Actaeon and Diana and Callisto from the Duke of Sutherland. Simon Mackintosh heads the first-class team, whose clients include Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland, the RSPB and the Robertson Trust.

Anderson Strathern LLP’s practice is headed by associate Anne Swarbrick and draws on the expertise of several key partners, including Robin Stimpson and Alun Thomas. Clients include Age Concern Scotland, Fettes College, and National Trust for Scotland.

Stephen Phillips’ practice at Burness LLP advised the Development Trusts Association (Scotland) on specimen memo, articles and guidance notes for groups wanting to establish development trusts and access charitable status. Other clients include Epilepsy Scotland, the Scottish Arts Council and the Big Issue.

Biggart Baillie LLP advised clients on a range of matters including cross-border advice in the wake of the 2005 Act. Gordon Wyllie heads the highly rated team, which includes Gregor Mair and Colin Miller.

Clients for Gillespie Macandrew LLP includethe Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, the Regimental Trust of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and the Royal British Legion Scotland. Tom Murray heads the team.

Led by Alastair Keatinge, Lindsays advised Cockburn Conservation Trust on the £3.8m restoration of the derelict Blackburn House. Other clients include the University of Edinburgh, the Scottish Youth Hostels Association, and Citizens Advice Scotland.

Morton Fraser’s practice was boosted by the arrival of Robin Morton, following the takeover of his firm Skene Edwards in September 2008. Scott Rae’s team advised Dyslexia Scotland on its new constitution, while other clients include the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Historic Scotland and Lothian Cat Rescue.

The ‘confident, friendly and practical‘ Malcolm Rust heads Shepherd and Wedderburn’s charities practice, and is praised for his ‘in-depth knowledge and experience‘. Clients include Barnardo’s, Clan Donald Lands Trust, and the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Brodies LLP’s team, which was boosted by the recruitment of tax expert Isobel d’Inverno from MacRoberts LLP, was appointed as legal adviser to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

Glen Gilson and Douglas Hunter are the key contacts at HBJ Gateley Wareing LLP. Major clients include the Scottish Forestry Trust and Edinburgh Headway, and a number of housing associations, such as Parc Craigmillar and Shire Housing Association.

Led by Eleanor Kerr, Maclay Murray & Spens LLP advised Friends of Doonies Farm in its successful and complex bid for charitable status. Other clients include the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet.

Under Duncan Osler, MacRoberts LLP recently advised a major UK company on the creation of a new educational charity worth over £6m. Other clients include Glasgow Housing Association, Aberlour Childcare Trust and Learning and Teaching Scotland.

Tods Murray LLP recently advised The R S Macdonald Charitable Trust in a petition to the Court of Session regarding the modernisation of the Trust’s objects and the trustees’ powers, while other clients include the HBOS Foundation and the NationalDay Nurseries Association. Richard Findlay heads the team.

Balfour + Manson LLP’s clients include Kingdom Housing Association, the Bethany Christian Trust and Crime Reduction Initiatives. Brenda Rennie heads the team.

New entrant Dundas & Wilson CS LLP acts for a number of charities including National Library of Scotland, Social Investment Scotland and LandTrust. Corporate head Eric Galbraith leads the team.

Elizabeth Calderwood heads the group at Pagan Osborne, which advised over 45 charitable trusts on issues such as the new OSCR requirements.

T C Young acted on the merger of 30 Abbeyfield societies to establish Abbeyfield Scotland, and advised the Auchlochan trust on its reorganisation and merger into the MHA Care Group. Mark Ewing heads the team.

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