The Legal 500

Gillespie Macandrew is a leading Scottish law firm which is best known for its strong reputation in private client, land and property and various commercial sectors.

The firm: The firm has recognised national strengths in a range of niche expertise areas with full service backup to its niche experts across the corporate, commercial, private, charity and property sectors together with litigation, employment, investment management and financial services. The firm’s client base extends throughout Scotland, the UK and beyond including multinational companies and SMEs trading on an international basis.

Types of work undertaken: Private client, tax, trust and investment management: the firm is a leader in the field of private asset protection and investment and deals with all aspects of taxation, probate, wills, trusts and estates, together with fund management and offshore investment.

Particular expertise is offered in trusts and tax planning and the firm’s investment managers offer a complete discretionary and managed investment service.

Corporate and business law: advice is provided on all aspects of company and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, insolvency, commercial contracts, international trade and competition law, joint ventures, partnership, information technology, intellectual property and government consultations.

Commercial property: the firm has dedicated strategic land and house builder teams as well as a range of specialist services covering the landlord and tenant, leisure and licensing and investment led transactions, including SIPPS. The firm acts in planning, environmental and construction matters, as well as property litigation.

Energy: renewables, water, power and forestry: the firm has a dedicated team dealing with all aspects of electricity generation, including coal and renewable generation, wind hydro and biomass developments and all aspects of natural resources including mining, forestry and water resources.The firm represents landowners, developers, generators and intensive energy users.

Rural property: leading expertise is offered in agricultural law, farm and estate purchases and sales, crofting, fishing, forestry, minerals, agribusiness, land development, hotel and resort development, fish farming and renewable energy.

Litigation and employment: all aspects of commercial and property litigation are handled.Employment law is a particular area of expertise and the department has dedicated services in debt recovery, licensing, immigration, Chinese business and corporate recovery.

Family law: comprehensive family law services are provided, including divorce and issues concerning children, as well as residential property services, estate agency and advice on elderly clients and succession and tax.

Residential property: Hunters Residential is a division of Gillespie Macandrew and is a leading estate agency in the Edinburgh prime property market.

International: the firm is the Scottish member of Lexwork International and maintains additional contacts for both corporate and private client transactions.

Other offices: Edinburgh (2)

Breakdown of work %
Private client  28
Corporate/commercial client  19
Litigation and employment  13
Residential client  12
Rural client  12
Investment and financial services  15
Chinese business and immigration  1

Number of UK partners 21
Number of other UK fee-earners 58