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Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow

: Brodies LLP’s 23-partner team has ‘considerable depth of real estate knowledge’. In 2011 it acted for HSBC-managed InfraRed Capital Partners Limited on the acquisition, pre-letting, Scottish Enterprise grant funding and construction of a newbuild distribution warehouse in Dunfermline. Practice head Nick Scott and retail and leisure team head Colin Morrison are both ‘efficient document handlers’, and Johane Murray has ‘a holistic interest in the client’s business’.

Burness LLP’s real estate lawyers ‘make the client feel they have its best interests at the forefront’. In 2011, the team acted for Whole Foods Market on the lease of its first UK store outside London. Practice head Nick Naddell is knowledgeable, and Richard Rennie has ‘the ability to argue his point strongly without antagonising the other side’. David Gibson moved to bto, and Iain Grieve joined HBJ Gateley.

Dundas & Wilson CS LLP is ‘entirely dedicated to delivering value-based solutions’, and acts for clients including Standard Life Investments and The Trump Organisation. In 2011 it advised Global Energy Group on the purchase of a 238-acre North Sea facility. Iain Doran and Allan Wernham are recommended.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s clients are ‘consistently satisfied with the service provided’ by its nine-partner commercial property team. In 2011 it represented the Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited, the second-largest pension fund in the UK, in its £31.25m acquisition of St John’s shopping centre in Perth. Gordon Aitken and the ‘always available’ Gillian Downie are recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP and McGrigors LLP’s combined commercial property offering in Scotland ‘compares well with London-based firms for level of service and attention to clients ’ needs’. Katharine Hardie’s team, on the McGrigors side, represented Newhouse North Developments on the development and forward sale of two data centres. Hugh Bruce-Watt and the ‘knowledgeable and professional’ Neil Hogg are also recommended.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s ‘strength in depth on property matters is second to none’. Nick Ryden’s team acted for RBS Hotel Investments Limited on its investment sale of the Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel and the Glasgow Hilton Hotel. James Dobie is ‘highly professional’.

The firm’s absorption of Bell & Scott in 2010 gave Anderson Strathern’s commercial property offering a significant boost. The team is ‘very skilled and good value for money’, and acts for a strong roster of clients. In 2011 it advised Edinburgh Napier University on rationalising its portfolio of student residences. Paul Jennings leads the practice.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is able to ‘focus on the legal aspects that matter and solve those problems in a very fruitful manner’. In 2011 it acted for Jupiter Hotels on its acquisition of 26 hotel properties from Jarvis Hotels in a pre-pack administration sale. Edinburgh-based Timothy Pitt ‘sees the holistic picture of the customer’s situation and helps solve the issues in a very constructive way’.

DLA Piper Scotland LLP’s real estate team has ‘the ability to provide commercial advice in difficult situations’. In 2011 it advised Jansons Property Investors and Developers on £40m acquisition and development agreements for a mixed-use city centre site. Practice head Drew Wallace ‘will do all he can to ensure client standards are met’.

DWF Biggart Baillie’s commercial property practice is core to its business, and its capabilities span the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. It has a strong developer client base, and other clients have included Clydesdale Bank and Apex Hotels Limited.

HBJ Gateley fields ‘a very knowledgeable commercial property team that is focused on delivering excellent advice according to clients ’ timelines’. Highlights included handling Ediston Property Fund’s acquisition of Heathfield Retail Park. The ‘proactive and knowledgeable’ Miles Ede leads the team, which expanded in 2011 with the arrival of Alison Newton from McGrigors LLP, Iain Grieve from Burness LLP, and Caroline James from Tods Murray LLP.

MacRoberts LLP’s ‘always effective’ commercial property team acts for a strong roster of clients that includes Wm Morrison Supermarkets and BAM Properties. Co-head Laurence Fraser provides ‘clear incisive advice’, and Jamie Grant ‘picks through things in fine detail’.

Morton Fraser is noted for its ‘quick and efficient service, providing advice that is always on point and never slavishly academic’. Its estate management expertise has attracted a selection of high-profile clients that include the Ministry of Defence and Heineken, and in 2011 it acted for the latter on its £422m acquisition of 918 pub outlets from RBS. Chris Harte is ‘very practical and commercially oriented’, and Michael Ramsay is ‘able to grasp any issue’.

Semple Fraser LLP’s real estate practice has a broad client base including REITs and investment funds, such as Land Securities, and corporates, such as new client Helical Bar. In 2011 it acted for key client Tesco on the Scottish aspects of securitising a £685m property portfolio. Elspeth Carson heads the team. John Meehan joined Harper Macleod LLP.

Tods Murray LLP provides ‘great service at great value’. In 2011 it acted for Harworth Estates in land sale and development partnership agreements with Taylor Wimpey UK Limited concerning the £10m sale of 16 sites. Susie Thornton leads the practice.

Archibald Campbell & Harley WS provides ‘very good levels of service’ to an array of landlord, tenant and social housing clients. In 2011 it assisted The Money Shop with the leasing of 30 new premises in Scotland. Robin Mitchell heads the team.

bto is particularly known for its retail and leisure expertise, and in 2011 it acted for Barrhead Travel Ltd on its leasing of units across Scotland. Jane Steel is recommended for her commercial conveyancing expertise.

Davidson Chalmers LLP has ‘a good team backing up its leading players, all of whom are astute and responsive’. Its forte lies in the developer arena; it acts for some of Scotland’s most prominent private development companies, including Muir Group. Andrew Chalmers, Andy Drane and Douglas Taylor are recommended.

Harper Macleod LLP made a key strategic hire in 2011, recruiting property finance and development expert John Meehan from Semple Fraser LLP. David Bell is also recommended. The team advised Hazledene Group on the development and letting of IQ Office and a 185-bedroom hotel in Aberdeen.

Lindsays’ clients are particularly appreciative of the firm’s ‘thorough conveyancing process, meaning that it will thoroughly review the title and associated information, and will uncover any issues – nothing will be missed’. Practice head Derek Nash has ‘a wealth of knowledge at his fingertips’.

Commercial property: Elsewhere in Scotland

Index of tables

  1. Commercial property: Elsewhere in Scotland
  2. Commercial property: leisure and hospitality
  3. Commercial property: retail occupiers

Paull & Williamsons LLP’s ‘first-class’ commercial property practice always provides ‘technically sound, clear and concise, relevant commercial advice which is on time and on budget’. In 2011, it acted for Stewart Milne Group in two successful bids for sites at Kingswells and Cove as part of a proposed residential development. ‘Conscientious’ practice head Richard Goodfellow and the ‘thorough and determined’ Elaine Farquharson-Black are recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s inherited Aberdeen office includes Tracey Menzies, who is ‘exceptionally competent and has a strong knowledge of the market’, as well as ‘an ability to mix a strong commercial thrust with pragmatism and the personal skills needed to do property deals’. Highlights included acting for Ribnort Limited in the site assembly and associated planning agreement for the 60-acre ABZ Business Park in Dyce, Aberdeen.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s Aberdeen office is well known for its oil and gas and retail expertise. In 2011, the team acted for Apache North Sea in securing leasehold premises at a newly developed business park in Aberdeen. Derek Cameron’s ‘customer service sets him apart and, as such, he is highly respected and a trusted adviser’.

Ledingham Chalmers LLP has ‘excellent knowledge of the commercial property scenes in Aberdeen and Inverness’. It handles public and private sector mandates, and in 2011 assisted Highland & Islands Enterprise on the acquisition and development of a university campus site at Beechwood, Inverness. John Smart is ‘meticulous’, and David Scott has ‘a good common-sense approach to commercial property transactions’.

Stronachs LLP’s real estate team is ‘personable and responsive to clients ’ needs’. In 2011 it acted for Highlands & Islands Enterprise on the acquisition of a wind turbine tower factory at Machrihanish. Duncan Campbell heads the practice.

Construction

MacRoberts LLP’s construction team provides ‘tailored industry and legal advice promptly and to a consistently high standard’. In 2011 it acted for the University of Strathclyde on the procurement of a new technology and innovation centre. Neil Kelly heads the practice, which includes the ‘outstanding’ David Arnott; Shona Frame, whose ‘tactical ability in litigation is a real asset’; and Mike Barlow, who is noted for his ‘excellent contractual knowledge’.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s construction team is ‘a leader in the field’, particularly for renewable energy projects, where it provides ‘well-considered, commercial advice that is second to none’. In 2011 it represented Bilfinger Berger (UK) Limited in the Edinburgh Trams project. Fraser McMillan is ‘a key adviser when it comes to disputes’, and transactional team head Michael Allan ‘provides good input and overall assistance’. Contentious construction head Kenny Valentine is also recommended.

Brodies LLP’s construction team ‘always shows a good level of acumen and industry knowledge and has the best interests of the client at the heart of its strategy’. 2011 saw the opening of its Aberdeen office, and practice head Mark Finlay represented The Drum Group in the construction of an office campus development in Aberdeen. Contentious specialist Manus Quigg is recommended for his strategic expertise.

Fenella Mason leads Burness LLP’s six-partner team, which has notable expertise in PFI construction projects. In 2011 it represented Heartlands in the design and construction of a new junction of the M8 motorway.

DLA Piper Scotland LLP adopts ‘a pragmatic, straightforward approach’, and also draws praise for its ‘willingness to find solutions’. Energy and cross-border matters formed the backbone of the Scottish practice’s workload in 2011, with ‘excellent adviser’ Gareth Parry representing Scottish Water Horizons in the procurement of the first of a series of anaerobic digestor plants across Scotland.

Dundas & Wilson CS LLP is valued for its ‘practical experience and sound judgement’ in contentious and non-contentious construction matters. It has a strong energy focus and acts for clients such as SSE and Inch Cape Offshore. Practice head Lindy Patterson is ‘outstanding in terms of her knowledge, advice, speed of service, and professionalism’. Former head of infrastructure Andrew Renton joined Bird & Bird in 2011.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s construction practice is ‘robust enough to deal with any complex legal matters that can arise’. Mark Macaulay’s team was strengthened by the arrival of contentious construction expert David Scott from McGrigors LLP in 2011. Highlights included representing RBG Limited in a dispute with SGL Carbon Fibers.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s construction team is prized for its ‘willingness to fully embed itself within the client, giving it the ability to fully understand and anticipate its needs’. Practice head Kevin Taylor combines ‘great people skills with detailed industry knowledge’, and brings that knowledge to bear for a client base of suppliers and purchasers such as City of Edinburgh Council and Taylor Wimpey.

Anderson Strathern provides ‘a comprehensive range of services across the construction sector, and has high-calibre staff’. In 2011 it acted for Edinburgh Napier University on the redevelopment of the Sighthill and Merchiston campuses. The ‘prompt and proactive’ Karyn Watt leads on the non-contentious side, and contentious expert Keith Bishop is ‘always ready to provide direct advice’.

The team at DWF Biggart Baillie remained active in construction matters in its core sectors of energy, transport, retail, and hotel and leisure. In 2011 it advised J Sainsbury on the design and construction of a new store at Kelso. Ian McCann and Murray Shaw are the key figures.

Though small, Ledingham Chalmers LLP’s team has ‘a strong background in the PFI/PPP sector’, and Jennifer Young has ‘undoubted knowledge and experience in the field’. Clients include Galliford Try Construction.

Mark Cowie heads McClure Naismith LLP’s construction practice, which includes Brandon Malone, previously of Bell & Scott. Clients include Co-op Bank and NHS Lanarkshire.

Morton Fraser’s Jonathan Seddon acted for key client the City of Edinburgh Council in the new hub regime of projects set up by the Scottish Futures Trust, and in the redevelopment of James Gillespie’s School in Edinburgh.

In 2011, Semple Fraser LLP acted for Kintyre Development Company on a £3m redevelopment project to restore the Royal Hotel and also on the £3m redevelopment of Ugadale Hotel. Stuart Macfarlane heads the practice.

Environment

Brodies LLP stands out for its ‘excellent knowledge of the waste, renewable energy and environmental industries’. In 2011 it acted for Scottish Borders Council on its procurement of a long-term waste management services PPP. Practice head Charles Smith is assisted by the ‘professional’ Kenneth Ross and ‘industry leader’ Neil Collar.

Highlights for Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s practice included advising Total E&P UK on the proposed EU changes to environmental health and safety legislation affecting the oil and gas industry. Chris Smylie became the firm’s chief executive in 2011; so associate Pamela Coulthard now heads the practice.

Pinsent Masons LLP now has the combined strength of two environmental teams. Recent work for the team on the McGrigors side includes advising Forth Ports Limited on environmental issues arising from the sale of Ocean Terminal Limited. Work for its counterparts, led by Gordon McCreath included advising Viridor during its bid for Glasgow City Council’s residual waste contract. Jennifer Ballantyne ‘fully understands the client’s needs’.

Semple Fraser LLP’s Vincent Brown advised a waste-to-energy supplier on EU legislation pertaining to the use of waste derived from the equestrian industry for commercial fuel products.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s ‘pragmatic’ practice head Patricia Hawthorn acted for Viridor Waste Management in three public procurements for waste services and infrastructure development in the Scottish ‘central belt’.

Alastair McKie’s team at Anderson Strathern acted for INEOS in various applications for hazardous substances consent at its refinery in Grangemouth.

Burness LLP has ‘excellent up-to-the-minute knowledge of case law’. In 2011 it advised NHS Lothian on the reporting requirements of its PFI facilities under Carbon Reduction Commitment legislation. Michael Wood leads the practice.

Davidson Chalmers LLP ‘goes out of its way to meet the needs of the client’. Douglas Taylor and Andy Drane have strong environmental law expertise. Clients include SITA UK.

Dundas & Wilson CS LLP’s Mark Brumwell and his ‘reliable, pragmatic’ team acted for South Lanarkshire Council in defending a challenge to a waste management procurement project.

MacRoberts LLP has ‘good understanding of the client’s business and is responsive to its needs’. It recently represented John Dewar & Son in negotiating contracts with Helius Corde for the supply of solid and liquid wastes as an adjunct to the development of a new waste treatment facility. Jamie Grant leads the practice.

Planning

Brodies LLP’s ‘highly accessible’ planning team provides ‘confident, authoritative advice in a timely fashion’, and is particularly noted for its expertise in drafting s75 planning obligations. In 2011 it acted for Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority in relation to a proposed gold mine. Practice head Neil Collar provides ‘excellent strategic and tactical advice’.

Dundas & Wilson CS LLP has a long track record and a blue-chip client base that includes EDF and Lloyds Banking Group. In 2011 it advised the Trump Organisation on its £1bn golf resort in Aberdeenshire. Practice head Ann Faulds is ‘a thought leader’.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s ‘accessible’ planning team provides ‘measured and considered advice’. Recently, it acted for Taylor Wimpey in an appeal against Edinburgh Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for 75 homes in South Edinburgh. Practice head Colin Innes and Ewan MacLeod are recommended.

Sandy Telfer’s planning team at DLA Piper Scotland LLP ‘knows the ins and outs and subtleties of Scottish planning law really well’. In 2011 it advised the Scottish government on potential models for infrastructure funding.

DWF Biggart Baillie’s Murray Shaw shows ‘high levels of expertise’. In 2011 the team advised Aberdeenshire Council on a new development plan, which was the first under the new planning regime.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s planning team acted for Bancon Developments in challenging a refusal of planning permission for a 26-house development in Banchory. Gillian Simpson leads the practice.

MacRoberts LLP represented WRG Waste Services in a planning inquiry into Aberdeenshire Council’s refusal to extend the lifespan of the Wester Hatton landfill project. Moray Thomson was promoted to partner and head of the planning group in 2011.

With its well-established reputation in oil and gas, Aberdeen-based Paull & Williamsons LLP recently advised Total E&P UK regarding the proposed erection of a gas processing plant. Elaine Farquharson-Black leads the practice.

Recent work for the team at Pinsent Masons LLP includes advising National Grid Property Holdings Limited on the planning aspects of the demolition of a former gasworks site in Edinburgh. Gordon McCreath advised City of Edinburgh Council and Midlothian Council on their joint residual waste facility procurement project. Jacqueline Harris is also recommended.

Anderson Strathern’s ‘collaborative and proactive’ planning team includes Alastair Mckie, ‘one of the leading planning and environmental lawyers in Scotland’. In 2011 it acted for INEOS in the applications for consent to the storage and use of stabilised crude oil at its refinery in Grangemouth.

Burness LLP’s expertise in the renewable energy and retail sectors generates a flow of related planning work. In 2011 it represented North British Windpower in its judicial review of the Scottish Ministers’ decision to grant s36 consent for the Fallago wind farm. Ian Wattie heads the team.

Harper Macleod LLP’s strong public sector offering translates into planning work for clients such as Cairngorns National Park Authority, for which the team acted in a public inquiry in 2011 relating to two separate wind farm applications. Lee Murphy and Pamela Todd are recommended.

Semple Fraser LLP has ‘specialists in various sectors’, most notably energy and retail. Tesco is a key client, and in 2011 the team successfully defended judicial review proceedings against Tesco Extra proposals in East Kilbride and Eccles. June Gillis heads the practice.

Property litigation

Brodies LLP’s Stephen Goldie is many clients’ ‘first choice’ for contentious property matters. In 2011, the firm acted for Aberdeen City Council in a case concerning the recovery of a seven-figure overage payment from Stewart Milne Group.

Burness LLP’s ‘very impressive’ property litigation practice acted for Baronsgate Estates Limited in a multimillion-pound dilapidations claim, and was appointed exclusive Scottish real estate litigation adviser to Vodafone UK. Alan McMillan leads the practice.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s property litigation team has ‘in-depth knowledge of the market’. Practice head Ewan Easton provides ‘a clear strategy that is always mindful of the client’s objectives’. In 2011, the team acted for Thus Group Holdings in challenging arbitration awards relating to the rent review of a national property portfolio.

Recent work for the team at Pinsent Masons LLP includes acting for Stewart Milne Group in a dispute with Aberdeen City Council relating to whether a profit-share payable to the council had been triggered. Jacqueline Harris and regulatory group head Laura Cameron are recommended.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s property litigation team acted for EDI Central in a successful claim against National Car Parks Limited for enforcement of obligations under a development agreement. David Anderson heads the practice, and associate Colin Archibald is noted as ‘a first-class property litigator’.

Davidson Chalmers LLP represented Beaghmor Partnership in recovering a six-figure sum following a property contract compliance dispute. Sheila Webster heads the practice.

Dundas & Wilson CS LLP’s Lorna Sibbald provides wide-ranging contentious advice. Colin Hutton advises energy clients, including on matters relating to distribution networks.

Morton Fraser’s property litigation team has ‘a wide range of people skills and competencies to draw from’. Highlights included representing V Ships Crew UK Limited in a dilapidation claim arising from the termination of a lease in Aberdeen. Joy Barnard leads the team.

Kenneth Carruthers leads Semple Fraser LLP’s property litigation practice, which acted for Black Bull Properties in defending a claim by a quarry operator claiming right of access over the client’s land.

Anderson Strathern provides ‘a very good level of service’ for both rural and commercial clients. Practice head Fiona Stephen gives ‘sound, independent advice in a clear manner’.

DWF Biggart Baillie’s contentious property expertise spans retail, contractual and insolvency-related disputes. In 2011, the team acted for Arcadia Group as tenant in a dispute concerning liability for refurbishment costs of a principal redevelopment in Glasgow. Brent Haywood leads the practice.

Harper Macleod LLP provides contentious property advice to clients such as the Forestry Commission Scotland and Cairngorns National Park Authority. Rod McKenzie heads the team.

MacRoberts LLP acted for a development company in a dispute with a national housebuilder concerning unauthorised use of the client’s land. Gillian Craig, who was promoted to partner in 2012, is ‘very knowledgeable and dynamic’. Julie Hamilton heads the practice.

Tods Murray LLP has ‘good strength in depth and is ably led’ by Elaine Brailsford. In 2011, the team acted for Co-operative Insurance Society Ltd in pursuing a dilapidations claim against Fife Council.

Social housing

bto ‘rates very highly for its professional service and knowledge’. It handles the full range of housing matters for clients including Clyde Valley and Argyll Community housing associations. Karen Brodie has ‘a huge amount of experience’.

Harper Macleod LLP’s housing specialists ‘know the practical operation of the RSL sector intimately’. ‘Professional, pragmatic’ practice head Derek Hogg advised The Glasgow Housing Association on the transfer of 19,000 homes to local community ownership.

Social housing is a core focus for T C Young, which has ‘developed a robust understanding of the issues and challenges the sector faces’. Mark Ewing provides ‘highly valuable advice’, Jim Bauld has ‘terrific knowledge of housing legislation’, and Andrew Cowan shows ‘competence and dynamism’.

Anderson Strathern’s knowledge of the housing sector and relevant legislation is ‘truly excellent’. It earned several new clients in 2011, including Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association. Practice head David Hunter is recommended.

Archibald Campbell & Harley WS’ Janette Speed provides social housing advice that is ‘of an exceptionally high standard’. In 2011, the team acted for new client Kingdom Housing Association on its acquisition of eight units at St Johns Place, Perth.

Caroline Drummond’s social housing practice at Burness LLP acts for Link Group, Sanctuary Group and Glasgow Housing Association, three of the largest RSLs in Scotland. It also has broader expertise in procurement, funding and corporate governance.

Heather Pearson and colleagues at HBJ Gateley are ‘superb ambassadors’. In 2011, the team advised Dunedin Canmore Housing Association on a £16.5m funding arrangement with the Housing Finance Corporation. Pearson took the head role following the departure of Kate Dewar, who joined Morton Fraser as a consultant.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s Chris Dun provides ‘first-class advice’ in social housing finance, acting for prominent banks such as RBS and Clydesdale Bank.

Morton Fraser’s social housing practice received a boost with the arrival of consultant Kate Dewar from HBJ Gateley in 2011. Practice head Andrew Meakin ‘makes sure things get done quickly and correctly’.

Stephen Humphreys’ team at Tods Murray LLP has ‘a good grounding of the sector’s needs’. It provides specialist advice in litigation, evictions and financings. New clients include Kingdom Housing Association Limited.

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