Leading Individuals

Next Generation Partners

Local government in Scotland

Brodies LLP

Brodies LLP’s local government offering runs the gamut of public sector work with the team advising on a wide range of high-profile contentious and non-contentious matters. It has significant experience in the infrastructure, energy and construction sectors and regularly advises on related contract, governance and investigations matters. Practice co-head Jackie McGuire, based in Glasgow, is recognised for her expertise advising on major infrastructure projects, while co-head Niall McLean, in Edinburgh, advises local councils on governance matters with particular strength in contentious work. Other key members of the team include Sarah-Jane McArthur, Lynne Marr and Stuart Murray.

Practice head(s):

Jackie McGuire; Niall McLean


Other key lawyers:

Douglas Waddell; Lynne Marr; Fiona McLeod; Tony Convery; Stuart Murray; Sarah-Jane McArthur


Testimonials

Jackie McGuire, Niall McLean, Douglas Waddell and Lynne Marr continue to impress. Fiona McLeod and Tony Convery have recently provided valuable assistance in connection with Court of Session child care proceedings which required immediate attention.’

‘The team acts in a very professional way and has a high level of expertise. Their understanding and recognition of commercial challenges is largely unmatched by other firms, therefore solutions are found quickly.’

‘Stuart Murray is our lead contact within Brodies. We have worked with him for a number of years, and his good natured approach coupled with his expertise and sector knowledge means that he is our automatic “go-to” for advice. This combination of attributes is extremely rare in our experience.’

‘Very happy with the work produced for us by the LG team at Brodies. They have advised on a range of matters and have been quick to provide clear, useable advice.’

Key clients

Aberdeen City Council


Glasgow City Council


City of Edinburgh Council


Stirling Council


Perth & Kinross Council


Argyll and Bute Council


Moray Council


Orkney Islands Council


Falkirk Council


North Lanarkshire Council


Work highlights


  • Advised Argyll and Bute, Falkirk, Stirling and Perth and Kinross Councils on a wide range of matters, including real estate, housing, roads, projects, employment, corporate, governance, litigation and elections.
  • Supporting South Ayrshire Council with issues pertaining to a satellite manufacturing facility and operating network at the former Prestwick Airport, being taken forward as part of the Scottish Government’s Space Strategy aimed at developing a programme of Scottish satellite launches and funded in part by the Ayrshire Growth Fund.
  • Acted for the City of Edinburgh Council in a judicial review in the Court of Session challenging the council’s decision to, in the context of its determination to require the licensing of sexual entertainment venues (SEVs), set the number of SEVs in its area as being zero.

Burness Paull LLP

Burness Paull LLP advises local authorities, public agencies and organisations on a wide range of local government matters, and is particularly well suited to advise on public infrastructure and corporate governance issues. Headed by Graeme Palmer, a seasoned local government specialist with expertise in governance, public procurement and subsidy control law, the team also includes Richard Lockhart, former general counsel of the Scottish Futures Trust, as well as senior associate Emma Maxwell, who advises various local government sector clients on legal structures, corporate governance and charity law matters.

Practice head(s):

Graeme Palmer


Other key lawyers:

Richard Lockhart; Emma Maxwell


Key clients

Glasgow City Council


East Dunbartonshire Council


Fife Cultural Trust


Perth & Kinross Council


Renfrewshire Council


Fife Sports & Leisure Trust


South Lanarkshire Council


Aberdeen City Council


High Life Highland


Fusion Assets


Work highlights


  • Advised Fusion Assets on the procurement aspects of a joint venture to be established for the development of industrial units; including advice on tender documentation and the requirements of the regulations applicable to such joint ventures.
  • Acted for GB Grove Limited in an appeal against refusal of planning permission in principle by Stirling Council for proposed roadside services comprising a petrol filling station, amenity building and EV charging points.
  • Acting for Perth & Kinross Council on two DBDA projects with hub East Central Scotland, Perth High School and Blair Recreation Centre.

Anderson Strathern

Anderson Strathern’s cross-departmental local government team leverages the firm’s broader public sector, corporate, dispute resolution and employment law expertise to advise local authority clients on a wide range of issues. Practice head Audrey Cameron has particular expertise in procurement law and regeneration projects. Fiona Stephen leads on real estate-related litigation, while associate Gillian Harkness-McKinlay is noted for her expertise in charity law.

Practice head(s):

Audrey Cameron


Other key lawyers:

Fiona Stephen; Gillian Harkness-McKinlay


Testimonials

‘They are professional, efficient and clear with the advice provided, which is of a high standard with attention to details.’

‘Where advice and support is required that is outwith the specialty of those ordinarily engaged, the matters are delegated to others within the team.’

‘A cohesive team that works well together.’

Key clients

Fife Council


Midlothian Council


City of Edinburgh Council


Live Borders


Jobs and Business Glasgow


Clyde Gateway


East Lothian Council


Glasgow City Council


North Lanarkshire Council


Work highlights


CMS

With particular strength in infrastructure, regeneration and procurement work, CMS’ local government practice is well placed to advise local authorities across Scotland on various contentious and non-contentious matters. The team is jointly led by Ailsa Ritchie and Mark McMurray; both  are based in Glasgow. With their key areas of expertise reflecting the group's overall focus, Ritchie routinely assists with infrastructure projects, while McMurray takes point on major regeneration developments and energy projects. Property law specialist Amy Norton and pensions expert Jae Fassam are other key members of the team.

Practice head(s):

Ailsa Ritchie; Mark McMurray


Other key lawyers:

Jae Fassam; Amy Norton


Key clients

City of Edinburgh


Stirling Council


Falkirk Council


Scottish Borders Council


East Dunbartonshire Council


Glasgow City Council


Renfrewshire Council


South Lanarkshire Council


North Lanarkshire Council


Tayside Pension Fund (administered by Dundee City Council)


Fife Pension Fund (administered by Fife Council)


Work highlights


  • Advising Falkirk Council on the Grangemouth Flood Prevention Scheme, one of the largest flood defence projects in the UK.
  • Advising the City of Edinburgh Council on the new Haymarket Hotel as part of the £350m Haymarket Edinburgh development.
  • Advising Scottish Borders Council on the Scottish Borders schools project.

Harper Macleod LLP

Harper Macleod LLP’s local government practice has a solid track record advising local authorities on judicial reviews, public procurement and competition law matters as well as contentious and non-contentious planning law issues. Practice co-head Jennifer Jack leads the contentious side and frequently represents local councils, while co-head James McMorrow takes point on non-contentious commercial, contractual and regulatory issues. Euan Pirie specialises in construction and projects law.

Practice head(s):

James McMorrow; Jennifer Jack


Other key lawyers:

Euan Pirie


Key clients

Glasgow City Council


City of Edinburgh Council


Fife Council


Inverclyde Council


North Ayrshire Council


The Highland Council


Dumfries & Galloway Council


East Lothian Council


City Property Glasgow (Operations SL3) LLP


hub North Scotland Limited


Angus Council


West Dunbartonshire Council


Argyll & Bute Council


Shetland Islands Council


Work highlights


  • Appointed by City Property Glasgow LLP/Glasgow City Council as lead advisers to act on a £200m+ transaction involving the transfer of six Glasgow buildings from Glasgow City Council to one of its related arm’s length external organisations.
  • Advising Inverclyde Council on the Inverkip City Region Deal Project in partnership with Scottish Power/Iberdrola. The project involves the upgrade of a key road transport network capacity on the A78 at four locations in and around Inverkip; the provision of development of a major area of change site identified within the local development plan; and investment in vacant and derelict land assets and land incapable of utilisation for economic purpose without infrastructure investment and support.
  • Acted for Dumfries and Galloway Council in its successful defence of an employment tribunal claim of discrimination and harassment on the ground of a protected belief.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts

Morton Fraser MacRoberts is regularly instructed to advise on judicial reviews, planning matters and on litigation. Practice head Rory Alexander is a key contact for major housing and infrastructure projects, while Suzanne Hardie specialises in public sector developments, advising clients on property, construction and public procurement matters. Senior associate Cameron Greig and legal director Ewan McGillivray are other key members of the team. The group was bolstered by the arrival of Duncan Osler, Robin Fallas, and Gwen Murphy in late 2023, following the merger between Morton Fraser and MacRoberts LLP.

Practice head(s):

Rory Alexander


Other key lawyers:

Suzanne Hardie; Cameron Greig; Ewan McGillivray; Duncan Osler; Robin Fallas; Gwen Murphy


Testimonials

‘Strong understanding of industry practice in this specialist areas of law. Proactive management of cases with clients’ interests at heart. Candid, approachable and pragmatic.’

‘The overall knowledge and ability to provide support while understanding the challenges facing local government has been a lynchpin in the service provided.’

‘Approachable and available individuals, who know the challenges that they are faced with, and who make the experience as straightforward as possible.’

Key clients

The City of Edinburgh Council


Glasgow City Council


Aberdeen City Council


Orkney Islands Council


East Lothian Council


Highland Council


West Lothian Council


Midlothian Council


Stirling Council


Moray Council


Work highlights


Shepherd and Wedderburn

Shepherd and Wedderburn assists local authorities across Scotland with projects, property, construction and procurement matters. The group handles both contentious and non-contentious work and has particular strength in capital, roads and education infrastructure. Stephen Colliston leads the team and handles PFI and PPP matters, while Euan McLeod is the key contact for infrastructure and construction matters, and Neil Maclean takes point on education sector work.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Colliston


Other key lawyers:

Euan McLeod; Neil Maclean


Testimonials

‘They really understand us and our issues (always strive for partnership with us); they are responsive and willing to go the extra mile.’

‘Professionalism and great advice.’

‘Very professional, very good at handling delays with courts; expert advice & dedication to the cause they are working on.’

Key clients

City of Edinburgh Council


West Lothian Council


Fife Council


South Ayrshire Council


North Lanarkshire Council


Acciona Industrial S.A.


East Dunbartonshire Council


South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Trust


Renfrewshire Leisure Limited


Wheatley Group


Work highlights


  • Advising the City of Edinburgh Council on construction contracts for the redevelopment of Meadowbank in Edinburgh.
  • Advising Wheatley Group, Scotland’s largest social housing provider, on a contractor framework.
  • Advising West Lothian Council on two bridge contracts related to the Winchburgh City Region Deal Project.