The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Edinburgh and Glasgow, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s merger with McGrigors LLP married the two firms’ strengths in the energy sector. In 2011, the former McGrigors team represented PSN in its £607m merger with John Wood Group. On the legacy Pinsents side, a team led by the ‘genuinely unstuffy’ Derek Stroud advised AIM-listed Minoan Group on its acquisition of John Semple Travel.

Within Corporate and commercial: Elsewhere in Scotland, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s merger with McGrigors LLP brought Aberdeen-based oil and gas experts Bob Ruddiman and Roger Connon into the fold. They led a multidisciplinary team representing global oil services business PSN in its £607m sale to John Wood Group. John Rutherford and David McEwing are also recommended.

Within Corporate tax, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Karen Davidson’s Scottish tax team is now part of Pinsent Masons LLP. It advised on the tax aspects of PSN’s merger with John Wood Group, which involved structuring employee incentive arrangements, and acted as tax adviser to Goldfield Partners’ solar EIS fund.

Within EU and competition, Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

The merger with McGrigors LLP was a boost to Pinsent Masons LLP’s public sector procurement capability; Stuart Cairns is recommended.

Within Licensing, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP is ranked following its merger with McGrigors LLP. It gives ‘excellent’ service and ‘always delivers the best results’. It has advised clients including the Restaurant Group and Hilton Worldwide.

Within Commercial litigation, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP gained a market-leading litigation practice from McGrigors LLP. The team acted for McMullen Group Holdings in a multimillion-pound dispute with a shareholder over a share purchase agreement before the Court of Session. Regulatory head Laura Cameron is recommended along with Jacqueline Harris, who provides ‘clear and strategic choices’, and Jim Cormack, who has a ‘calm and thoughtful manner’.

Within Banking and finance, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

The merger between McGrigors LLP and Pinsent Masons LLP created a team with ‘first-class knowledge’ in the infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. Recent work for the McGrigors team includes advising Forth Ports on the £760m financing of its acquisition by Arcus European Infrastructure Fund, while its counterparts recently acted for Aareal Bank regarding a £350m facility provided to Hercules Unit Trust. John Maciver heads the practice.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP gained a strong restructuring team from its merger with McGrigors LLP, which recently acted for AssetCo plc in its administration and scheme of arrangement, including advising on its debt restructuring. Six partners across the firm’s commercial, real estate, pensions and dispute resolution practices concentrate on restructuring matters.

Within Unit trusts, OEICs and investment trusts, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Frank Doran is now with Pinsent Masons LLP as a result of its merger with McGrigors LLP. He advises on the establishment, marketing and operation of investment trusts and limited partnership funds.

Within Employment, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP can now draw on McGrigors LLP’s ‘commercially focused’ team, Diane Nicol, has ‘strong sector knowledge’; Stuart Neilson ‘provides concise, sound advice in a friendly, pragmatic way’; and Kirsty Ayre is also recommended.

Within Health and safety, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP gained Laura Cameron’s team from McGrigors LLP. In 2011 the group successfully represented the Maritime & Coastguard Agency in an FAI concerning an accident at sea. Clients praise the ‘excellent’ service, ‘in-depth knowledge’ and ‘very fast response times’.

Within Pensions, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

The team at Pinsent Masons LLP gives ‘practical, commercial and understandable advice’, and practice head Ian Gordon is ‘excellent’.

Within Regional review, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

The announcement of McGrigors LLP’s merger with Pinsent Masons LLP came at a time when consolidation was an obvious next logical step for a marketplace that has long been seen as over-lawyered. The complementary features of both practices are clear, particularly when McGrigors LLP’s legacy oil and gas capability is viewed alongside its merger partner’s strength in the infrastructure and energy sectors. Many view the step as a tacit acknowledgement that the domestic market continues to shrink, and it certainly creates an enhanced international platform, particularly in the Middle East and Asia. The firm has a headcount to rival Eversheds LLP nationally and internationally, although what it means for the Scottish marketplace is less clear. The now defunct McGrigors brand long held a definite cachet in Scotland, and many lament its disappearance.

Within Charities, tier 5

Pinsent Masons LLP’s team, gained from its merger with McGrigors LLP, provides ‘invaluable support’ and ‘excellent service’ to clients.

Within Energy (excluding oil and gas), Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Now head of Pinsent Masons LLP’s prominent energy practice, Bob Ruddiman’s expertise spans the full range of energy projects, from thermal power to offshore and onshore wind farms and biomass, and he goes ‘above and beyond the remit to make transactions happen’. Highlights included representing Blue Energy in its acquisition of the Westmill solar park in Oxfordshire. Euan McVicar ‘has his finger on the pulse of sector developments’, and Nicholas Shenken is also recommended.

Within Oil and gas, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s absorption of McGrigors LLP’s ‘high-quality’ Aberdeen-based oil and gas practice expanded its client base of oil majors and independents on the exploration and production (E&P) side, as well as giving it a strong foothold in the oil services sector. Cross-border work was a key theme for the practice in 2011; it advised Nigeria-based Jagal Group, for instance, on its joint venture with Subsea 7 to assist oil companies in the execution of local projects in Nigeria. Practice head Bob Ruddiman is highly recommended, as is Rosalie Chadwick.

Within Projects, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s combination with McGrigors LLP enhanced its ‘strong knowledge of the Scottish market’. In 2011, the team acted for hub South East Scotland Limited on the first four transactions to close as part of its pathfinder project. Michael Watson heads the team, which includes Drysdale Graham and Stuart Barr, who has ‘a complete and detailed knowledge of public sector projects’.

Within Education, Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP gained McGrigors LLP’s team, which is noted for its ‘impressive depth’. The team was reappointed as sole legal adviser to the University of Aberdeen following competitive tender, and was also appointed to the University of Edinburgh’s property and estates legal framework panel.

Within Local government, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s practice shows ‘in-depth knowledge and understanding’. Recent work includes advising Aberdeen City Council on a major externalisation project relating to its corporate governance department. Yvonne Dunn and Stuart Cairns are recommended.

Within Parliamentary and public affairs, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

The team at Pinsent Masons LLP provides clients with ‘exceptional’ service, ‘knowledge and expertise’ on government policy and parliamentary legislation, and has ‘a real grasp of the political landscape’. Alastair Ross is recommended.

Within Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP and McGrigors LLP’s combined commercial property offering in Scotland ‘compares well with London-based firms for level of service and attention to clients ’ needs’. Katharine Hardie’s team, on the McGrigors side, represented Newhouse North Developments on the development and forward sale of two data centres. Hugh Bruce-Watt and the ‘knowledgeable and professional’ Neil Hogg are also recommended.

Within Commercial property: Elsewhere in Scotland, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s inherited Aberdeen office includes Tracey Menzies, who is ‘exceptionally competent and has a strong knowledge of the market’, as well as ‘an ability to mix a strong commercial thrust with pragmatism and the personal skills needed to do property deals’. Highlights included acting for Ribnort Limited in the site assembly and associated planning agreement for the 60-acre ABZ Business Park in Dyce, Aberdeen.

Within Construction, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s construction team is ‘a leader in the field’, particularly for renewable energy projects, where it provides ‘well-considered, commercial advice that is second to none’. In 2011 it represented Bilfinger Berger (UK) Limited in the Edinburgh Trams project. Fraser McMillan is ‘a key adviser when it comes to disputes’, and transactional team head Michael Allan ‘provides good input and overall assistance’. Contentious construction head Kenny Valentine is also recommended.

Within Environment, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP now has the combined strength of two environmental teams. Recent work for the team on the McGrigors side includes advising Forth Ports Limited on environmental issues arising from the sale of Ocean Terminal Limited. Work for its counterparts, led by Gordon McCreath included advising Viridor during its bid for Glasgow City Council’s residual waste contract. Jennifer Ballantyne ‘fully understands the client’s needs’.

Within Planning, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Recent work for the team at Pinsent Masons LLP includes advising National Grid Property Holdings Limited on the planning aspects of the demolition of a former gasworks site in Edinburgh. Gordon McCreath advised City of Edinburgh Council and Midlothian Council on their joint residual waste facility procurement project. Jacqueline Harris is also recommended.

Within Property litigation, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Recent work for the team at Pinsent Masons LLP includes acting for Stewart Milne Group in a dispute with Aberdeen City Council relating to whether a profit-share payable to the council had been triggered. Jacqueline Harris and regulatory group head Laura Cameron are recommended.

Within Intellectual property, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP has a strong offering in this area, having gained a ‘knowledgeable and responsive’ team from McGrigors LLP. The team recently acted for Wireline Engineering in bringing a petition in the Court of Session relating to possible copyright infringement and breach of confidentiality by a third-party competitor. Senior associates Chris Martin and David Woods are the names to note.

Within IT and telecoms, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP has particular experience in IT and telecoms work in the insurance sector, and its practice was enhanced by the firm’s merger with McGrigors LLP, the incoming team noted for it’s ‘good level of service and knowledge’. Matthew Godfrey-Faussett and Yvonne Dunn are recommended.

Within Media and entertainment, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

The team at Pinsent Masons LLP gained new clients ISO Organisation and Ludometrics in 2011. Recent work includes advising Storlann Naiseanta Na Gaidhlig on the creation of new commissioning contracts for Gaelic education works.

Within Sport Sport

Within Transport , Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

The team at Pinsent Masons LLP provides an ‘excellent service’. Its recent work includes acting for Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, and advising Bilfinger Berger on its involvement in the Edinburgh Trams project. It has also advised Hochtief Construction and Carillion.