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Turcan Connell remains a ‘cut above the rest’; it is a ‘top firm, fully comparable with the best elsewhere in the UK’. Douglas Connell is ‘outstanding’, and Robin Fulton is also recommended. Donald Simpson and Peter Littlefield were promoted to the partnership in April 2011.

Anderson Strathern’s well-regarded private client practice has capabilities across the spectrum, including in asset protection matters and complex executries. Practice head Colin Henderson and John Biggar are recommended.

The well-respected Hugh Stevens heads Brodies LLP’s very ‘dynamic’ private client team. Alan Barr and Andrew Dalgleish are ‘very knowledgeable and accomplished specialist advisers’; and Susanne Beveridge ‘explains issues in a manner that makes sense’.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP has a ‘consistently excellent’ private client practice. Team head Eleanor Kerr is recommended; Norman Kennedy ‘shows sound common sense, and gives good, practical advice’; and Andrew Biggart is ‘an exemplar of the art of robust, personal legal advice’.

MacRoberts LLP’s private client group advises in relation to private and public sector trusts, adults with incapacity, and tax planning and executry matters, and has particular strength advising on high-value estates with IHT issues. David MacRobert heads the team.

Morton Fraser’s service is ‘excellent, quick and efficient’. Sarah McKinlay, who was recently promoted to partner, is ‘very polished and very good technically’. Sue Hunter heads the team, whose clients include the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Trustees of Sir Henry Wade’s Pilmuir Trust. Senior associate Morna Coutts joined from Turcan Connell.

Balfour + Manson LLP’s private client practice is led by Brenda Rennie, who ‘provides a very high level of personal service’. The team has particular expertise in welfare support for elderly clients. David Campbell ‘inspires total confidence’, and all of the partners are commended for their ‘very good bedside manner’.

Tom Murray heads the team at Gillespie Macandrew LLP, which offers a comprehensive service to its roster of private clients. The group includes investment consultants, rural and business lawyers, and tax specialists. John McArthur heads the tax and trust advisory department.

HBJ Gateley won a number of new private client instructions in 2010, and leveraged its increasing cross-border capability. Glen Gilson heads the team, and Gordon Cunningham has ‘in-depth knowledge of his field, and an impeccable courtesy and understanding of a client’s needs’.

Lindsays strengthened its private client practice in 2010, recruiting Alison Boyd from Anderson Strathern. Practice head John Elliot has ‘technical experience allied to knowledge of investments’; and David Reith, Callum Kennedy and the ‘outstandingly good’ Alison Atack are also recommended.

Murray Beith Murray WS’ private client practice is well respected and has benefited from the firm’s January 2010 absorption of J & RA Robertson, which bolstered the team with the addition of several lawyers including senior solicitor Susan Oates. Graham Scott leads on personal tax and trusts work, while Carole Hope heads the executries practice.

Brian Robertson heads Shepherd and Wedderburn’s private client department, which administers around 250 trusts. The team earns referrals from other firms as well as from financial institutions. Malcom Rust impresses clients with his ‘friendly, reassuring manner and exemplary efficiency’.

Richard Murray heads the wealth management department at Archibald Campbell & Harley WS.

Practice head Gordon Wyllie, Ronnie Brown and Iain Talman are recommended at Biggart Baillie LLP.

Lindsay Darroch is the main contact at Dundee-based Blackadders LLP.

Pagan Osborne Limited is ‘strong in all areas of private client work’, with practice head Alistair Morris and Alan Innes both recommended.

The team at Stronachs LLP is recommended.

Accredited trust specialist Nicholas Barclay is the name to note at Thorntons Law LLP.

Tods Murray LLP’s practice head Gordon 
Cunningham is ‘recommended for his management 
and steering of the team’. Robert Muir is also recommended.

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