The Legal 500

United Kingdom > Scotland > Real estate > Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

: 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’.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in Scotland for Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2013 www.legal500.com