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Headed by the ‘enormously experienced‘ Neil Kelly, MacRoberts LLP is praised for its ‘industry knowledge and excellent value for money‘. The team advised AMEC in a multi-party mediation for claims in excess of £34m, and Carillion Construction on the design and construction of the International Broadcast Centre for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Clients consider Shona Frame a ‘key player‘, and praise her ‘high-calibre advice‘.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s first-class practice remains hard to beat. Headed by Kenny Valentine, the team advised Strathclyde Fire and Rescue on the £30m development of a new training facility, and New Campus Glasgow on the £300m development of a new campus to be shared by four Glasgow colleges. Other clients include Balfour Beatty, Carillion and Laing O’Rourke.

Dundas & Wilson CS LLP’s ‘excellent‘ practice is headed by disputes expert Lindy Patterson, who is praised for her ‘ability to provide speedy, clear and practical advice‘. Handling both contentious and non-contentious work, the team acted on a number of infrastructure deals and advised Scottish Exhibition Centre on the £86m events arena for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Led by Brandon Nolan, McGrigors LLP’s ‘extremely professional‘ practice is praised by clients for its ‘value for money and all-round quality service‘. The firm advised Balfour Beatty on the construction of the New Victoria Hospital in Fife, and represented City Inn in its Court of Session action against Shepherd Construction. The ‘knowledgeable and prodigious‘ Colin Fraser ‘has the ability to distil a complex mass of conflicting positions into an understandable and rational basis‘.

Burness LLP climbs a tier following the hire of highly rated contentious partners Fenella Mason and Sandra Cassels from DLA Piper Scotland LLP. Gavin Paton heads the procurement team, which is ‘excellent in all respects and understands the needs of the client‘. Recently it advised Riverside Inverclyde on construction issues relating to the £180m redevelopment of James Watt Dock on Clydeside.

Led by Mark Macaulay, Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s six-partner team advised Hammerson on the construction issues relating to its £250m shopping centre, retail park and transport hub in Aberdeen. Kirsti Olson successfully represented APC in the Commercial Court of Session in a payment dispute with the M6 Joint Venture company.

Shepherd and Wedderburn ‘will go out of its way to address issues on very short notice‘. Kevin Taylor heads the team, which is advising ScottishPower Power Systems on the framework and work package agreements for £400m worth of projects to be undertaken over the next five years. Juliet Haldane and contentious partner Iain Drummond are recommended.

Mark Finlay heads Brodies LLP’s practice, with Alan Calvert handling the disputes work. It represented Argyll & Bute Council on an adjudication relating to delays on harbour renovation and extension works, and advised Glasgow City council on the development of the Athletes’ Village for the 2014 Commonwealth games.

Morton Fraser’s ‘innovative and commercial‘ group head Jonathan Seddon is praised for his ‘forensic ability to assess a matter and find a way forward‘. The firm represented the French contractor Ascom SAS on an adjudication and Court of Session action relating to the design and instillation of tollbooths on the Forth Road Bridge.

David Rogers heads Tods Murray LLP’s team, which has been active on the litigation front and also advised clients such as Balfour Beatty on projects.

Anderson Strathern LLP advised the contractor and consortium member on the £110m Aberdeen Schools project. Keith Bishop heads the team.

Biggart Baillie LLP advised Forrest Developments on the construction of a retail development at Westfield in Edinburgh. Ian McCann and Murray Shaw are recommended.

Aberdeen’s Ledingham Chalmers LLP can more than compete with its central belt rivals in terms of quality. Jennifer Young heads the team, which advised Tulloch Construction Group (now Rok) on the Lanarkshire Schools PPP project.

At McClure Naismith LLP, Mark Cowie’s active team was appointed by Health Facilities Scotland to advise on a £900m four-year programme to build and refurbish a range of facilities for Scottish NHS Boards.

Led by Stuart Macfarlane, Semple Fraser LLP is praised for its ‘rapid response times and expertise‘. The firm advised Sir Robert McAlpine and Taylor Woodrow in a high-profile £10m dispute relating to the upgrading of the M74.

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