Legal500

Semple Fraser LLP

80 GEORGE ST, EDINBURGH, EH2 3BU, SCOTLAND

Tel:: Work 0131 273 3771
Fax:: Fax 0131 273 3776
DX:: EDINBURGH 447

Web:: www.semplefraser.co.uk
Email:

Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh

What we say about the firm's legal practice in Scotland

Corporate and commercial

Within Corporate and commercial Edinburgh and Glasgow: , tier 4

Semple Fraser LLP’s ‘major strengths are its coherent strategic thinking and fantastic response times’. Corporate head Bill Fowler has a particular focus on renewable energy, and Scott Kerr is an ‘all-round great performer’.

Dispute resolution

Within Commercial litigation, Semple Fraser LLP is a third tier firm,

Semple Fraser LLP advised two members of the Gillespie family, one of Scotland’s leading business families, on a number of legal issues including alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by directors, potential reductions of high-value property transfers, and issues regarding the fair distribution of asset values. Practice head Kenneth Carruthers has over 20 years’ experience in commercial litigation and is highly regarded.

Finance

Within Banking and finance , tier 5

Douglas Gourlay at Semple Fraser LLP is recommended for his ‘extensive legal knowledge in the real estate sector, and pragmatic and commercial approach’.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Semple Fraser LLP is a second tier firm,

Semple Fraser LLP provides ‘practical advice backed by a great deal of experience’, most notably through ‘reliable insolvency expert’ Gordon Hollerin, who ‘compares favourably with anyone’. Recent highlights include appointment to Clydesdale Bank’s panel to provide advice on restructuring and secured debt recovery and exit.

Human resources

Within Employment Employment

Overview

Real estate

Within Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow, Semple Fraser LLP is a first tier firm,

Commercial property is a cornerstone of Semple Fraser LLP’s success. Highlights in 2010 included acting for Tesco plc on various development deals, including a new 26,600 sq ft superstore at Buckie. Practice head Elspeth Carson is recommended, and Margaret McLean’s ‘ability instills complete confidence’.

Within Construction, Semple Fraser LLP is a third tier firm,

Stuart Macfarlane’s team at Semple Fraser LLP has the ability to ‘cover all aspects of complex transactions and cross-pollinate into different sectors’. Recent highlights include acting for Euro Pools regarding construction contracts for the swimming pools for the London Olympics and the refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh.

Within Elsewhere in Scotland Commercial property: retail occupiers

Within Environment, Semple Fraser LLP is a first tier firm,

Semple Fraser LLP is praised for its ‘good turnaround times and an excellent understanding of the relevant legislation’, with practice head Vincent Brown having ‘crucial end-of-waste sector knowledge’. In 2010, the team advised REG Biopower Limited on regulatory issues arising from the Renewable Energy Directive.

Within Planning, Semple Fraser LLP is a second tier firm,

Semple Fraser LLP is applauded for ‘its rigorous approach to challenges and highly professional manner’, and is very active for key client Tesco. June Gilles and Kenneth Carruthers are recommended.

Within Property litigation, Semple Fraser LLP is a second tier firm,

Kenneth Carruthers’ property litigation practice at Semple Fraser LLP advised BAM Properties in an appeal against City of Edinburgh Council’s refusal to compensate it for land compulsorily taken for the Edinburgh tram.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Within Intellectual property Intellectual property

Further information on Semple Fraser LLP

Please choose from this list to view details of what we say about Semple Fraser LLP in other jurisdictions.

Scotland

Offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

COUNCIL TAX

In Harrow LBC v Ayiku [2012] EWHC 1200 (Admin) Sales J held that the word “or” in the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, art 3 Class N, had a disjunctive meaning, therefore it was sufficient for the non-British spouse of a foreign student to satisfy one or other of the two conditions, namely being prevented from taking paid employment or being prevented from claiming benefits, in order to qualify as a “relevant person” who was exempted from liability to pay council tax.

- 11KBW
QUEEN’S SPEECH

Bills already introduced pursuant to the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012 include Local Government Finance Bill and Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, both accompanied by Explanatory Notes, which in each case address ECHR compatibility.

- 11KBW
Standards

In R (Calver) v Adjudication Panel for Wales [2012] EWHC 1172 (Admin) Mr Calver was a member of Manorbier Community Council who successfully challenged the decision of the Panel to dismiss his appeal against a decision by Prembrokeshire County Council Standards Committee censuring him for a number of comments or blogs posted by him on a website he owned and controlled.

- 11KBW
A justified retrospective

Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation

- 11KBW
Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:

- 11KBW
Public Sector Equality Duty

Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.

- 11KBW
Judicial Review

The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.

- 11KBW
The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.

- 11KBW
Immigration update May 2012

In this issue:

- Penningtons Solicitors LLP
Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

A premium service for sponsors will be launched by the UKBA on 6 April 2012. The service is designed specifically for companies that sponsor international employees under tier 2 and 5 of the points based system and aims to provide them with enhanced support.

- Penningtons Solicitors LLP