United Kingdom > Scotland > Public sector
Education
Education
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1
- Anderson Strathern (Edinburgh)
- Dundas & Wilson CS LLP (Glasgow)
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2
- Brodies LLP (Edinburgh)
- Lindsays (Edinburgh)
- Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (Glasgow)
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3
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DWF Biggart Baillie (Edinburgh) - MacRoberts LLP (Glasgow)
- Pinsent Masons LLP (Glasgow, Edinburgh)
- Shepherd and Wedderburn (Edinburgh)
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- bto (Glasgow)
- Burness LLP (Glasgow, Edinburgh)
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Thorntons Law LLP (Dundee)
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Anderson Strathern provides ‘excellent’ service and ‘clear communication lines’. Team head Alun Thomas and senior associate Barry Nichol are ‘experienced, knowledgeable, approachable and skilled’. The group was recently strengthened by the addition of Leigh Davidson and Shona Tennant from Lindsays.
Dundas & Wilson CS LLP’s clients include the University of Glasgow, UCL Business and Dundee University. Recent work includes advising Heriot-Watt University on the establishment of a new campus in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Team head Laurence Ward is recommended.
Brodies LLP’s ‘impressive and very knowledgeable’ team provides ‘first-class service’. It picked up several new clients in 2011, including Glasgow Caledonian University, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Queen Margaret University. Joyce Cullen has ‘wide experience’, and William McIntosh provides ‘excellent counsel’.
David Wood leads Lindsays’ team, of which the University of St Andrews is a major client. The group recently advised the University of Edinburgh on its merger with two of the Medical Research Council’s research units, and in 2011 it was also appointed to advise the University of Edinburgh on strategic and general property matters.
Maclay Murray & Spens LLP recently advised the Educational Institute of Scotland on industrial action, and the University of the West of Scotland on the construction of student accomodation. Other clients include Carnegie College and City of Glasgow College. Hilary Kane leads the group.
David Ratter leads DWF Biggart Baillie’s practice, whose recent work includes advising Robert Gordon University on negotiating a £36m financing from Barclays Bank to fund campus redevelopment.
Katy Wedderburn heads MacRoberts LLP’s education team, which recently advised on the University of Strathclyde’s £89m Technology and Innovation Centre, and which provides ‘a very high standard’ of representation at tribunals. Stephen Miller is ‘an excellent lawyer’.
Pinsent Masons LLP gained McGrigors LLP’s team, which is noted for its ‘impressive depth’. The team was reappointed as sole legal adviser to the University of Aberdeen following competitive tender, and was also appointed to the University of Edinburgh’s property and estates legal framework panel.
Neil Maclean leads the education practice at Shepherd and Wedderburn and is known for his ‘pragmatic approach’ and ‘excellent advice’. In 2011, the University of Edinburgh appointed the team as sole legal adviser for human resources matters.
David Hoey heads bto’s practice, which represents a number of further education institutions.
Burness LLP continues to advise South Ayrshire Council on its PPP project covering six schools. Chris Mackay heads the group.
Thorntons Law LLP has an experienced education team.
Health
Health
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1
- Anderson Strathern (Edinburgh)
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2
- Brodies LLP (Edinburgh)
- Dundas & Wilson CS LLP (Edinburgh, Glasgow)
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3
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Harper Macleod LLP (Edinburgh) - MacRoberts LLP (Edinburgh)
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Tods Murray LLP (Edinburgh)
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‘Second to none’, Anderson Strathern’s cross-departmental practice provides ‘good all-round knowledge’ and ‘timely responses’ to the health and social sectors. Clients include BUPA, the Royal College of Nursing and the General Medical Council. Practice head Robert Carr is recommended, and senior associate Catriona Watt is ‘highly knowledgeable’.
‘A professional and proactive firm’, Brodies LLP advises life sciences and healthcare companies on joint ventures, fundraising and M&A, and works to ‘a high, professional standard’. Recent instructions include advising on a spinout from Counterweight. Keith Patterson leads the group.
Amanda Methven leads Dundas & Wilson CS LLP’s ‘very timely and responsive’ healthcare group, which represents clients such as Balfour Beatty Capital Projects, NHS Lothian and Grosvenor House Group. Recent work includes advising Amber Blue Consortium on its bid for the East Central Territory hub project.
Harper Macleod LLP’s clients include the General Healthcare Group, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and the National Autistic Society. The team undertakes IP and IT work relating to the healthcare sector, as well as real estate projects.
MacRoberts LLP provides ‘a very efficient service’. In 2011, the ‘very knowledgeable team’ was appointed to the Scottish Futures Trust’s panel of legal advisers. Duncan Osler heads the team, in which Andrew Orr is also recommended.
Tods Murray LLP’s ‘very sound and reliable’ team has particular experience in infrastructure, real estate and care homes work. Clients include Consort Healthcare and Primary Health Properties. Nigel Sievwright leads the group.
Local government
Local government
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1
- Brodies LLP (Edinburgh)
- Dundas & Wilson CS LLP (Edinburgh)
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2
- Anderson Strathern (Edinburgh, Glasgow)
- Burness LLP (Glasgow)
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DLA Piper Scotland LLP (Edinburgh, Glasgow) -
DWF Biggart Baillie (Edinburgh) - Pinsent Masons LLP (Glasgow, Edinburgh)
- Shepherd and Wedderburn (Glasgow)
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3
- MacRoberts LLP (Edinburgh, Glasgow)
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Harper Macleod LLP (Glasgow) - Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (Glasgow, Edinburgh)
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Morton Fraser (Edinburgh) - Simpson & Marwick (Edinburgh)
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Brodies LLP is the sole legal provider to Aberdeen City Council, and continues to advise Glasgow City Council on the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village. Clients praise its ‘high level of technical ability, relevant knowledge’, and ‘exemplary service’. Team head Jackie McGuire is ‘acutely aware of the unique peculiarities of acting for a local authority’.
Ann Faulds leads Dundas & Wilson CS LLP’s team, which advises on issues such as governance, capital projects, contracts, and outsourcing arrangements. The team was recently appointed as sole legal provider to South Lanarkshire Council, and other clients include Stirling Council and Glasgow City Council.
Anderson Strathern’s clients include Angus Council, City of Edinburgh Council and East Lothian Council. Recently promoted partner Audrey Cameron and Robert Fife jointly lead the team.
Burness LLP’s local government team has ‘excellent industry knowledge’. Recent work includes advising the Highland Council on the formation of a leisure and culture trust. Practice head Stephen Phillips is recommended for his ‘expertise and approachability’.
In 2011, DLA Piper Scotland LLP won numerous instructions from Glasgow City Council. Other recent work includes advising Perth and Kinross Council on planning agreements incorporating affordable housing.
DWF Biggart Baillie’s team provides ‘first-rate service’ and ‘prompt responses’. It received new instructions from Aberdeenshire Council and Renfrewshire Council in 2011, and is acting for the Highland Council in an appeal to the UK Supreme Court following a judicial review challenge relating to the review of an old minerals permission.
Pinsent Masons LLP’s practice shows ‘in-depth knowledge and understanding’. Recent work includes advising Aberdeen City Council on a major externalisation project relating to its corporate governance department. Yvonne Dunn and Stuart Cairns are recommended.
Rhona Harper leads Shepherd and Wedderburn’s government and public sector department, whose lawyers are ‘helpful, always make themselves available and deliver advice within tight timescales’. New client wins include the West Hub Territory, Aberdeenshire Council and the Highland Council.
MacRoberts LLP provides ‘consistently good service’, and was appointed to the Scottish government and Scottish Futures Trust legal panels. Duncan Osler leads the team. Stephen Miller’s ‘experience in local government is second to none’, and he ‘provides clear and practical solutions’.
Harper Macleod LLP’s local government practice, led by Derek Hogg, has particular experience in property and housing work. Clients include North Lanarkshire Council and City of Edinburgh Council.
Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s local government practice is a subset of the firm’s employment group, led by Amanda Jones. Clients include Glasgow City Council, Falkirk Council and West Lothian Council.
Morton Fraser advised the City of Edinburgh Council on two of the ‘hub’ projects, which aim to improve efficiencies in Scotland’s infrastructure investment. The group expanded by recruiting Kate Dewar from HBJ Gateley in 2011.
Simpson & Marwick ‘understands the public sector environment and is committed to providing tailored advice’. Ranald Macpherson is ‘professional, highly knowledgeable and approachable’. Katy Nisbet is also recommended. Clients include the Scottish Borders Council and the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland.
Parliamentary and public affairs
Parliamentary and public affairs
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1
- Anderson Strathern (Edinburgh)
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DLA Piper Scotland LLP (Edinburgh) - Pinsent Masons LLP (Edinburgh)
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2
- Brodies LLP (Edinburgh)
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DWF Biggart Baillie (Glasgow) -
Harper Macleod LLP (Glasgow) - Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (Glasgow)
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3
- Dundas & Wilson CS LLP (Edinburgh)
Anderson Strathern represents clients such as the Scottish Information Commissioner and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, and in 2011 was appointed for the first time to the framework panel providing full legal services to the Scottish Court Service. Practice head Fiona Killen is ‘exceptionally good at communicating in a helpful and non-confrontational way’.
DLA Piper Scotland LLP recently advised Kraft on its interaction with MPs, councillors and international political figures in the context of its sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Other clients include Pfizer and Student Loans Company. Team head Hazel Moffat is ‘professional and has extensive legal knowledge’.
The team at Pinsent Masons LLP provides clients with ‘exceptional’ service, ‘knowledge and expertise’ on government policy and parliamentary legislation, and has ‘a real grasp of the political landscape’. Alastair Ross is recommended.
Christine O’Neill leads Brodies LLP’s parliamentary and public law group, which gives advice on legislation, judicial reviews, public inquiries and public procurement. Recent work includes advising Axa Insurance plc, Aviva, Zurich, and RSA in a challenge to the validity of the Damages (Asbestos Related Conditions) (Scotland) Act.
DWF Biggart Baillie’s parliamentary practice has substantial experience in transport, infrastructure and environment related work, and in 2011 advised Caledonian Maritime Assets on the re-tendering of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services. The team, led by Neil Amner, continues to advise Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Scottish Chambers of Commerce on transport issues.
Harper Macleod LLP’s clients include the Scottish Prison Service, Glasgow 2014, and the Forestry Commission Scotland. Practice head Derek Hogg and James McMorrow are recommended.
Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s ‘responsive, flexible and personal’ team recently advised the Scottish Police Services Agency in a judicial review inquiry arising out of the Lord Advocate v Shirley McKie case, relating to crime-scene fingerprints. Other clients include Transport Scotland and Network Rail. Michael Dean heads the practice.
Dundas & Wilson CS LLP’s team is led by London-based Colin Boyd QC. The team represents clients such as National Grid, the Scottish Government Legal Directorate and the Scottish Coastal Forum. Recent work includes advising the University of Glasgow on the equality and human rights implications of introducing student tuition fees on students from elsewhere in the UK.