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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.

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Legal Developments in Scotland for Local government

  • TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS (PROTECTION OF EMPLOYMENT) AND AGE DISCRIMINATION

    I have been asked to cover the topic of Employment law within my half an hour speaking slot today. I have narrowed my subject down to Transfer of Undertakings and Discrimination, with the focus on providing an update on the recent spate of cases on service provision change and on the important developments in the law of age discrimination. Needless to say, in my presentation I shall not be able to cover the level of detail which is contained in my written paper, which I will leave you to read.
    - 11KBW

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