The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Edinburgh and Glasgow, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

Anderson Strathern gives ‘accommodating, measured advice’ in the energy and technology sectors, with its capability in the latter area boosted by the hire of Leigh Davidson from Lindsays. In 2011 it acted for John Martin Group in its purchase of the Glasgow Hyundai motor dealership and service centre from Hytec (Glasgow) Limited. Corporate group head Simon Brown is recommended, as is ‘patient, helpful’ senior associate Ewan Regan.

Within EU and competition, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

Anderson Strathern’s competition and procurement expertise spans the public and private sectors, and it represents clients such as Glasgow School of Art and Lloyds Pharmacy. In 2011 it advised a large international construction company on EU procurement matters arising from its participation in a consortium bid for a PFI schools contract. Karyn Watt is the key figure.

Within Licensing, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

Anderson Strathern remains very active in liquor licensing and also recently advised McDonald’s and one of its franchise holders, on seeking late-hours catering licences during the Edinburgh Festival.

Within Commercial litigation, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

Anderson Strathern’s broad-based contentious practice acted for Glencairn Scotch Whisky Company, owner of the Chivalry whisky brand, in a trade mark dispute with Chivas Brothers Limited. Robert Fife heads the team.

Within Debt recovery, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

Anderson Strathern continues to represent two of Scotland’s largest banks, and undertakes debt recovery work in tandem with banking litigation.

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Anderson Strathern’s ‘breadth of expertise and consistent quality of service’ makes it a go-to firm for property-related finance transactions. In 2011 it represented Co-op Bank in £25m of commercial loans to businesses and independent schools. James Blair heads the team, which includes John Kerr and Gillian Anderson, whom clients recommend ‘for the way they move matters forward’.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

Anderson Strathern’s restructuring team provides ‘appropriate and commercial advice’. It handles restructuring work for key government agencies including HMRC and The Insolvency Service. Practice head Katrina Lumsdaine ‘provides sound legal advice tinged with commerciality’.

Within Employment, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

Anderson Strathern provides ‘highly competent and valuable service’. Its client list expanded in 2011 to include the Scottish Court Service, Universities Scotland and the University of Edinburgh. Alan Masson and Alun Thomas are the names to note.

Within Health and safety, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

Anderson Strathern continues to act as an external adviser to the HSE. The team recently represented The Coal Authority in a high-profile FAI following the death of a solicitor who had fallen down a collapsed mine shaft. Robert Fife and Chris Dickson are recommended.

Within Medical negligence: defender, Anderson Strathern is a first tier firm,

Anderson Strathern acts for the General Medical Council and the General Dental Council, and also recently represented the General Pharmaceutical Council. The team also represents nurses before the Nursing and Midwifery Council. In 2011 it acted in a number of fatal accident inquiries (FAIs). Accredited specialist Robert Carr and senior associate Catriona Watt are is recommended.

Within Medical negligence: pursuer, Anderson Strathern is a first tier firm,

Anderson Strathern remains a leader in the field, and has two accredited specialists in medical negligence. The team is ‘responsive, sensible, organised, experienced and a pleasure to work with’. Senior associate Judy Williamson has ‘a firm grasp of the facts in any particular case’.

Within Personal injury: defender, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

Anderson Strathern provides an ‘excellent level of service’ and is ‘a very approachable firm’. Clients include Co-operative Insurance, Scotia Gas Networks and the Scottish government. Douglas Keir gives ‘well-founded and supported advice’, and is ‘excellent all round’.

Within Personal injury: pursuer, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

Anderson Strathern continues to represent the Royal College of Nursing. Clients rate the firm ‘at the highest level’. Robert Carr is ‘experienced and extremely well respected’, and has ‘a thorough knowledge of the applicable law’ and ‘excellent communication skills’.

Within Professional negligence, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

Anderson Strathern’s clients include the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. The team, led by Robert Carr, acts for both claimants and defendants.

Within Agriculture and estates, Anderson Strathern is a first tier firm,

Anderson Strathern is one of Scotland’s ‘leading firms’ for agricultural and estates matters. The team is co-led by accredited specialists John Mitchell, who has ‘a great ability to grasp complex detail’, and Jim Drysdale, who has ‘detailed knowledge of all issues of rural property law’.

Within Charities, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

Anderson Strathern has particular experience in advising educational charities. New clients include HorseBack UK and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Senior associate and team head Anne Swarbrick provides ‘practical advice and knowledge which is inestimably valuable’.

Within Family, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

Anderson Strathern, which is ‘swift to respond, and has good strength and depth in the team’, has seen an increase in international divorce cases, as well as prenuptial contracts. Practice head Susan MacLeod is ‘approachable, conscientious and diligent’, and associate Marika Franceschi is ‘reliable and well informed’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and executries, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

Anderson Strathern’s ‘extremely knowledgeable and efficient’ group has recently been strengthening its Italian connections through an association with a local firm in Rome. Practice head Colin Henderson is ‘very experienced’ and ‘extremely adept at asking appropriate questions and assessing the situation’.

Within Energy (excluding oil and gas), Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

Anderson Strathern fields ‘a strong and knowledgeable team with key experience in the energy industry’. It handles a range of renewable energy mandates for a diverse client base of developers, such as Acciona Energy UK and E-gen. In 2011 it advised The Crown Estate on the completion of lease agreements for the world’s first commercial wave and tidal electricity project. Practice head Bruce Farquhar is ‘attentive, and has deep industry knowledge’.

Within Projects, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

Anderson Strathern has a particularly strong record on education sector mandates, and is acting for the contractor E Pihl and Sons as part of a consortium building ten primary and secondary schools in Aberdeen. Karyn Watt is the practice’s key figure.

Within Education, Anderson Strathern is a first tier firm,

Anderson Strathern provides ‘excellent’ service and ‘clear communication lines’. Team head Alun Thomas and senior associate Barry Nichol are ‘experienced, knowledgeable, approachable and skilled’. The group was recently strengthened by the addition of Leigh Davidson and Shona Tennant from Lindsays.

Within Health, Anderson Strathern is a first tier firm,

‘Second to none’, Anderson Strathern’s cross-departmental practice provides ‘good all-round knowledge’ and ‘timely responses’ to the health and social sectors. Clients include BUPA, the Royal College of Nursing and the General Medical Council. Practice head Robert Carr is recommended, and senior associate Catriona Watt is ‘highly knowledgeable’.

Within Local government, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

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.

Within Parliamentary and public affairs, Anderson Strathern is a first tier firm,

Anderson Strathern represents clients such as the Scottish Information Commissioner and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, and in 2011 was appointed for the first time to the framework panel providing full legal services to the Scottish Court Service. Practice head Fiona Killen is ‘exceptionally good at communicating in a helpful and non-confrontational way’.

Within Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

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.

Within Commercial property: Elsewhere in Scotland Commercial property: leisure and hospitality

Within Construction, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

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’.

Within Environment, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

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

Within Planning, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

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.

Within Property litigation, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

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’.

Within Social housing, Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

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.

Within Intellectual property, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

Simon Brown leads Anderson Strathern’s team, which includes Katrina Lumsdaine, Leigh Davidson and senior solicitor Shona Tennant, who impress clients with ‘their professionalism, breadth of knowledge, practical advice and approachability’.

Within IT and telecoms, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

Anderson Strathern recently increased its IT offering by recruiting Shona Tennant and Leigh Davidson from Lindsays. The team is ‘very efficient’, and ‘inspires confidence in its scope of knowledge’.

Within Media and entertainment, Anderson Strathern is a third tier firm,

Anderson Strathern recently advised Kwik Fit on advertising campaigns. Simon Brown leads the team.

Within Sport, Anderson Strathern is a first tier firm,

John Kerr leads Anderson Strathern’s sports practice, and is ‘definitely a leader in the field’, and ‘widely knowledgeable and experienced across all aspects of sports law’. The team recently advised Scottish Rugby Union and Tennis Scotland on changes to their Articles of Association and governance issues.

Within Transport , Anderson Strathern is a second tier firm,

Alastair McKie leads Anderson Strathern’s transport team, which was reappointed to the Scottish government’s Framework Panel for public inquiries. Other clients include Cycling Scotland and Strathclyde Transport Partnership.