Personal tax, trusts and executries
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1
- TURCAN CONNELL Edinburgh
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2
- ANDERSON STRATHERN LLP Edinburgh
- BRODIES LLP Edinburgh, Glasgow
- GILLESPIE MACANDREW LLP Edinburgh
- MACLAY MURRAY & SPENS LLP Glasgow, Edinburgh
- MACROBERTS LLP Edinburgh, Glasgow
- MORTON FRASER Edinburgh
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3
- HBJ Gateley Wareing LLP Edinburgh
- Lindsays Edinburgh, Jedburgh
- Shepherd and Wedderburn Edinburgh, Glasgow
- Tods Murray LLP Edinburgh, Glasgow
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- Archibald Campbell & Harley WS Edinburgh
- Balfour + Manson LLP Edinburgh
- Biggart Baillie LLP Edinburgh, Glasgow
- Blackadders LLP Dundee
- Murray Beith Murray WS Edinburgh
- Pagan Osborne Cupar, St Andrews
- Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP Glasgow
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- Bird Semple Private Client Solicitors Glasgow
- Brechin Tindal Oatts Glasgow
- Burnett & Reid Aberdeen
- Fyfe Ireland Edinburgh
- Ledingham Chalmers LLP Aberdeen
- McClure Naismith LLP Glasgow, Edinburgh
- Mitchells Roberton Glasgow
- Paull & Williamsons Aberdeen
- Thorntons Law LLP Dundee, Abroath, Perth
Turcan Connell retains an almost unassailable position at the top of the ranking. Headed by senior partner Douglas Connell, the firm advised both the National Gallery in London and the National Galleries of Scotland on the tax aspects of their acquisition of two works by Titian. The team also works closely with colleagues in Guernsey, acting for a number of non-UK domiciles.
Anderson Strathern LLP extended its reach into Glasgow through its takeover of McVies, where the team included probate and capital taxes planning expert Chris Wilkin. The highly rated Colin Henderson leads the team.
Hugh Stevens heads Brodies LLP’s practice, which, as well as advising individuals, also acts for high street banks on providing customers with specialised private client services such as will writing. Hugh Stevens and Alan Barr are recommended.
Led by Tom Murray, Gillespie Macandrew LLP has a significant investment department and asset and tax-planning consultancy. The team administers over 500 trusts and lodges over 1,000 tax returns a year, and in 2008 administered over 220 executries.
Eleanor Kerr’s broad four-partner team at Maclay Murray & Spens LLP acts for numerous high-net-worth individuals and is regularly referred work by other law firms.
MacRoberts LLP advises several high-net-worth individuals on issues including inheritance tax and capital gains tax mitigation, as well as handling executries and trust work. David MacRobert’s four-partner team also has considerable expertise in advising and securing the appointment of financial and welfare guardians for adults with incapacity.
Morton Fraser’s practice was boosted following its takeover of Skene Edwards, which brought in ‘excellent, proactive and reliable‘ partner Robin Morton. Dorothy Kellas heads the team, which also includes Scott Rae and James Rust.
HBJ Gateley Wareing LLP’s ‘excellent, proactive‘ practice is led by the ‘hands-on‘ Glen Gilson. The team advised on over £1bn-worth of assets in 2008, including more than 250 trusts and executries.
Led by John Elliot, Lindsays started 438 new executries in 2008. Alison Atack and David Campbell are recommended.
Brian Robertson heads the two-partner team at Shepherd and Wedderburn, which is increasingly active in Aberdeen. Clients consider the lawyers ‘excellent trust administrators who provide consistent service of a high quality‘, and single out Malcolm Rust.
Tods Murray LLP recently completed a number of trust variations in the Court of Session, including a landmark case for a major charitable trust. Gordon Cunningham heads the team.
The key names at Archibald Campbell & Harley WS are Janette Speed and Richard Murray.
Brenda Rennie heads the ‘wonderful‘ team at Balfour + Manson LLP, where there is ‘absolute consistency of care and attention to the clients’ needs and requirements‘. The firm also offers a Client Welfare Management service, which helps elderly clients with their ongoing care needs.
Gordon Wyllie heads Biggart Baillie LLP’s team. Ronnie Brown is recommended.
Based in Dundee, Blackadders LLP’s team is headed by Donald Gordon.
Niche private client firm Murray Beith Murray WS has a strong offering headed by the well-regarded Graham Scott.
Although Pagan Osborne will miss former name partner Bill Pagan, who recently retired, the firm still has several very well-regarded practitioners, including chief executive Alistair Morris.
Grant Johnston heads the team at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP, which also provides management services to its clients.