The Legal 500

With a focus on the individual, this practice is a leading pursuer litigation firm with an emphasis on medical negligence and personal injury. Alongside this is an extensive private client practice undertaking a broad range of services and a commercial team.

The firm: Balfour + Manson is a well-established Edinburgh firm with a history of practice in the city since 1887. Clients of Balfour + Manson range from the individual to families, businesses, charities and local government bodies. Members of the firm also act as agents on behalf of other solicitors in litigation and other matters. The practice has an emphasis on working together to meet the needs of all its clients. Particular importance is attached to strong, personal contact and the involvement of partners. The approach of the firm combines the best of traditional values with a modern, forward-thinking attitude.

Types of work undertaken: Acting mainly on behalf of the pursuer, the litigation department is one of the largest in Scotland and has particular expertise in personal injury work. It has dealt with major disaster cases and has a dedicated serious injuries unit. The firm acts in medical negligence claims, particularly cerebral palsy, as well as in family law, with considerable experience in international financial provision and child abduction. The firm’s litigation team offers significant expertise in administrative, public and human rights law and carries out a large volume of judicial reviews, as well as professional disciplinary and regulatory work.

The department also deals with general commercial and civil litigation, including contractual and property disputes and professional negligence claims, as well as employment law and debt recovery.

Partners Pamela Loudon, David McIntosh and Lisa Gregory are accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as specialists in personal injury law. Andrew Gibb, Shona Smith, Alastair Milne and Morven Douglas are accredited as family law specialists. The firm also has four solicitor-advocates (civil).

The private client department advises on the preparation of wills and inheritance tax mitigation. Executry administration is a particular speciality. Trusts of all kinds are dealt with, including personal injury trusts. Investment and financial management advice is given and all kinds of taxation are handled. Advice to elderly clients and clients with disabilities are areas of expertise, and the firm has a specialist client welfare department. The property services team offers a one-stop service for those involved in the residential property market, including advice on the purchase and sale of properties, as well as leases. A full estate agency service is offered.

The charities and social housing department is one of Scotland’s leading teams providing services to this sector, including the setting up and operation of a charity, contracts, property and employment law.

The commercial department offers advice in most areas of commercial practice. It has notable experience in all commercial property matters, whether leasing, buying, property investment or lending. For those starting in business, companies are incorporated and company secretarial services are provided. Partnership agreements are prepared and interpreted. Particular specialist areas include charities, professional appointments, social housing and licensing.

Breakdown of work %
Litigation  60
Private client, incorporating residential property 30
Commercial  10

Number of UK partners 19
Number of other UK fee-earners 49