- Tel:
- Work 0141 307 2311
- Fax:
- Fax 0141 307 6857/8
- DX:
- GW149 GLASGOW
- Web:
- www.lemac.co.uk
- Email:
This leading Scottish firm is known particularly for its expertise in media and defamation law, as well as providing a wide range of services for commercial and individual clients, including litigation, commercial work, partnership and regulatory issues, crime, and personal injury.
The firm: With roots going back to 1873 in Glasgow, the firm acquired its current name in 1949 when William McRae joined as a partner. It has established its reputation as one of the country’s leading practices through its effective handling of several high-profile incidents, as well as private sensitive cases. It was asked to represent the families in the aftermath of the Dunblane tragedy and the Stockline Plastics explosion, and it remains at the core of all major aviation cases in Scotland: Lockerbie, the Chinook crash in Mull of Kintyre, the Glasgow Air Crash, the Libya Air Crash and the F15 fighter crash in the Highlands. The firm is widely regarded as Scotland’s leading media and defamation practice, and represents the biggest names in print and broadcast media. It is also seen as second to none in regulatory and disciplinary matters, acting for some of the most prominent names in the market. It is ranked highly by its peers in many areas, including crime, partnership, personal injury and dispute resolution.
Levy & McRae has a strong commitment to excellence and to achieving success by defining goals. It is dedicated to achieving these goals by providing its clients with the highest standards of legal advice combined with a practical understanding of their needs. The practice is led by Peter Watson, who heads the litigation team, and Bill Macreath, who is particularly known for his work in partnership disputes.
The firm continues to grow. In January 2011 Gary Booth became a partner in the rapidly expanding corporate practice. In October 2010 Callum Anderson was assumed as an associate, taking on new responsibilities in the litigation department.
The firm is a member of Legal Netlink Alliance, a global grouping of carefully selected independent law firms. The Alliance’s network gives access to high-quality legal representation virtually anywhere in the world.
Types of work undertaken: The media law practice is one of the biggest in the country, providing experienced and measured advice round the clock. The firm’s experienced partners have been involved in almost every groundbreaking media law case over the past two decades and its full-service capabilities enable it to provide a seamless transition to litigation and criminal law advice. Levy & McRae represents the interests of prominent individuals from the world of business, TV, film, music and sport, ensuring that reputations are protected from unwarranted intrusion and defamation. It is able to take swift and effective action aimed at keeping clients off the front page. The formidable litigation team represents clients in every type of dispute, in every type of forum, including an unrivalled pedigree in the Sheriff Court, Commercial Court and Court of Session. The firm is known for providing case-winning advice in high-stake prosecutions, ranging from complex health and safety cases to road traffic incidents and common law assault. It has a unique in-house investigation team of senior ex-police officers.
Partnership law, regulation and standards, and disciplinary hearings are specialist areas of expertise, including skilled advice in all aspects of regulatory and disciplinary proceedings, and extensive experience in representing lawyers, doctors, dentists, surveyors and other professionals to protect them when others have questioned their judgement. The firm provides advice in all aspects of company and commercial law for businesses and entrepreneurs. Employment law, including representation at Tribunals, is a specialism. Commercial property expertise includes leasing for the commercial, industrial and retail sectors, licences, and business acquisition and disposals.
Personal injury expertise ranges from car accidents and aircraft and shipping cases to medical negligence, accidents at work and product defects. The firm has an established track record and reputation in estate planning, high-value divorce settlements, and all other aspects of legal services for families and individuals. All types of residential property matters are handled.
Number of UK partners 8
Number of other UK fee-earners 22
Above material supplied by Levy & McRae.