The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial Edinburgh and Glasgow: , Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Julian Voge heads Brodies LLP’s corporate/commercial practice, which expanded significantly in 2010, adding Catherine Feechan and former corporate head David Allan from Biggart Baillie LLP to its Glasgow team, and also hiring Will McIntosh, who joined the Edinburgh office from Lindsays. Demonstrating its cross-border capability, it advised Hong Kong-based Shanghai Huanuan Boiler Vessel Corporation on the purchase of Cochran Group. New clients include Maven Capital Partners and GKN plc.

Within Corporate tax , Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s ‘one-stop-shop’ corporate tax practice continues to impress clients with its combined legal and chartered accountancy expertise spanning restructuring, transactional tax advice, employment-related tax matters, as well as tax planning for vendors and companies. Recent highlights include advising the shareholders of Memex Group on the tax implications of selling the group to SAS Institute. Isobel d’Inverno and Alan Barr jointly head the team, and were joined in 2010 by senior tax manager Neil Ritchie.

Within EU and competition, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP recruited former Addleshaw Goddard LLP solicitor-advocate Mark Clough QC to head its competition practice following the departure of former practice head Rodger Murray to Anderson Strathern. Clough has made a considerable impact, and advised new client Nippon Cargo Airlines on resisting BA’s application to recover from other investigated parties part of any damages arising from the European Commission investigation into price-fixing allegations in the air cargo market.

Within Licensing, Brodies LLP is a third tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s ‘efficient, helpful and accommodating’ licensing team earned instructions from new clients such as Giraffe, Prezzo and Café Rouge. Alex Buchan heads the team.

Within Commercial litigation, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Brodies LLP fields one of the largest dispute resolution teams in Scotland and has 14 partners focusing on commercial litigation, giving it ‘very good strength in depth in its chosen disciplines’. Manus Quigg was promoted to partner in 2010, while Elena Fry and Mark Clough QC were recruited to the health and safety and competition law teams, from Biggart Baillie LLP and Addleshaw Goddard LLP respectively. Clients include RBS, Zurich and Aberdeen City Council. In 2010, the firm acted for Asda and Macdonald Estates in defending a judicial review brought by a competitor to prevent a store development.

Within Debt recovery, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP handles volume debt recovery for prestigious clients such as BP Oil and Peugeot. It recently represented Grosvenor Investments regarding recoveries in the property sector, drawing on the firm’s property and litigation capabilities. David Whyte heads the team.

Within Banking and finance , Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Caryn Penley heads the team at Dundas & Wilson CS LLP, which acted for City Property Glasgow (Investments) on an innovative property transfer deal funded by £120m of facilities provided by Barclays Bank; the deal was led by Stephen Phillips, who has ‘a natural ability to get to the core of the issue quickly and focus on practical tailored solutions for his client’. David Morton moved to DLA Piper Scotland LLP, while Michael Stoneham departed to Brodies LLP in early 2011.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s corporate restructuring practice consistently delivers ‘a highly personalised and focused service that provides not only a great knowledge of the law but also the sense to apply that law in a commercial way’. The four-partner team acted for KPMG as joint administrators of Peter Scott & Company. Practice head Colin McIntosh is ‘highly respected in the Scottish restructuring and insolvency community’; Rachel Grant is ‘one of the pre-eminent insolvency lawyers in Scotland’; and Robin Macpherson is ‘a highly experienced litigator who brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to the table’.

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

The level of service provided by Brodies LLP’s funds practice is ‘invariably high and very client focused – nothing is too much trouble and the team is very aware of the need to get things done faultlessly’. ‘Credible and courteous’ corporate partner Alistair Campbell leads the practice, and advised GKN plc on the structuring of an asset-backed Scottish limited partnership vehicle 
to implement a pension scheme deficit reduction strategy.

Within Employment, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Joan Cradden heads the department at Brodies LLP, which represents Standard Life and American Express, and has won new clients in the public sector including the City of Edinburgh Council. The firm recruited Paul McMahon, formerly of Harper Macleod LLP. Emma Bell remains a consultant after stepping down from the partnership.

Within Health and safety, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP has seen an increase in requests for training and compliance advice following changes in the health and safety market. The firm is ‘always prompt, and shows a high degree of industry knowledge’. Elena Fry leads the team, and clients are ‘especially impressed’ with associate Paul Marshall.

Within Pensions, Brodies LLP is a third tier firm,

In 2010, Brodies LLP’s pensions team advised the trustees of the WTL Pensions & Life Assurance Scheme on aspects of a claim against Scottish Widows. Key clients include Prudential UK, Tesco Bank and The Co-operative Group. Practice head Martha Quinn has ‘excellent knowledge’, and associate Mark Lindsay is also recommended.

Within Medical negligence: defender, Brodies LLP is a third tier firm,

Brodies LLP won new instructions from the Association of Optometrists, and insurer Marketform. Team head Cameron McNaught has ‘good tactical awareness and remains robust but realistic under pressure. His grasp of complex facts and legal issues is impressive’.

Within Medical negligence: pursuer, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s team is ‘excellent in terms of its responses, business acumen and knowledge’. Solicitor-advocate and department head David Armstrong is ‘a star’, and Jonathan Cornwell is also ‘very impressive’.

Within Personal injury: defender, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s insurance group, headed by Toby Seton, is valued for its ‘excellent service and in-depth sector knowledge’, and covers the spectrum of PI claims, with specialist capabilities in health and safety, and construction. Cameron McNaught is ‘technically very able’.

Within Personal injury: pursuer, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP acts for the Communication Workers Union, and has expertise in workplace accident claims, particularly for manual handling tasks. Other sources of instructions include the National Accident Helpline and Injury Lawyers 4 U. David Armstrong and Jonathan Cornwell are recommended.

Within Professional negligence, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Alan Calvert heads Brodies LLP’s professional negligence team which handles work in various sectors including claims against engineers, surveyors, solicitors and construction industry contractors. Robin Macpherson is recommended, and the firm can also draw on related strengths in property and construction law.

Within Regional review, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Edinburgh and Glasgow: Emerging from three years of economic turmoil, the Scottish legal market looks significantly different to that which rode the crest of the transactional wave in 2007. With no firm untouched by the downturn in transactions, different and competing strategies and goals have emerged. As a result, Scotland’s ‘Big Four’ have moved forward: Dundas & Wilson CS LLP, Maclay Murray & Spens LLP, McGrigors LLP and Shepherd and Wedderburn are still dominant players in Scotland but also deliver a broader capability, offering English law advice in London and across the UK. Brodies LLP is among the vanguard pursuing the Scotland-only strategy, increasing critical mass to provide a full service to the local market. Dickson Minto WS continues to plough a successful furrow in the corporate finance sector; and Turcan Connell is dominant on the private client front. DLA Piper Scotland LLP continues to build its reputation, particularly in corporate restructuring following some key lateral hires, while CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s Edinburgh offering is also expanding.

Within Agriculture and estates, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP offers a full service to its rural 
clients including planning, tax, corporate and environmental expertise. Practice head Odell Milne and David Houldsworth are accredited specialists. Clients include The Co-operative Farms and the Scottish Rural Property Business Association, as well as Novar and Atholl Estates.

Within Charities, tier 4

Brodies LLP continues to advise the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, and focuses on corporate governance issues and structural matters. Brenda Scott heads the team, which includes Mark Clough QC.

Within Family, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP remains a key player in high-value divorce cases, led by the highly esteemed Scott Cochrane. Associate Marjory Blair moved to Lindsays in Glasgow.

Within Personal tax, trusts and executries, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

The well-respected Hugh Stevens heads Brodies LLP’s very ‘dynamic’ private client team. Alan Barr and Andrew Dalgleish are ‘very knowledgeable and accomplished specialist advisers’; and Susanne Beveridge ‘explains issues in a manner that makes sense’.

Within Energy (excluding oil and gas), Brodies LLP is a third tier firm,

Neil Collar heads the team at Brodies LLP, which has displayed notable commitment to the renewable energy sector, and ‘inspires a strong degree of confidence’. The Co-operative Bank, which is the leading lender to the renewable sector in the UK for projects valued up to £25m, is a key client. Project finance specialist Keith Patterson is also recommended.

Within Projects, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Dundas & Wilson CS LLP is a ‘leading firm for projects work’, and provides a ‘great level of service and strong input at partner level’. Michael McAuley leads the team, which advised Moray Council on its £35m contract for the design, construction and provision of services to two schools. Keith Armstrong is an ‘exceptional lawyer who has an outstanding ability to get deals concluded efficiently without wandering off into theory and point-scoring’; and Paul Massie is ‘an impressive lawyer with a great work ethic’. Michael Stoneham left for Brodies LLP.

Within Education, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brenda Scott heads the team at Brodies LLP, which provides a wide range of advice, and was successful in a competitive tender for instructions from new client Scotland’s Colleges.

Within Health, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s healthcare practice, led by Keith Patterson, advised shareholders of Mpathy Medical Devices and Gyne Ideas Limited regarding the sale of share capital to Coloplast AS. It is a panel adviser to the Scottish Government Health Department, and has particular expertise in PPP projects.

Within Local government, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s public sector services group is led by Jackie McGuire. It was reappointed as legal adviser to Midlothian Council; defended East Renfrewshire Council in a judicial review; and is advising Aberdeen City Council on a redevelopment project.

Within Parliamentary and public affairs , Brodies LLP is a third tier firm,

Brodies LLP provides ‘good, efficient and attentive service’, advising clients on parliamentary powers and acting for global insurers in litigation that raises significant Scottish constitutional law issues. Practice head Christine O’Neill has ‘considerable experience’, and Roger Cotton is ‘extremely reliable, flexible and good on dealing with key issues and the detail’.

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

With over 70 fee-earners including 20 partners in its property practice, Brodies LLP has one of the largest commercial property teams in Scotland, and its ‘cognisance of the client’s requirements, especially in terms of delivery timescale and general advice, is excellent’. The group has been advising RBS on £150m-worth of property finance facilities, and also acted for Moorfield Group on its £54m acquisition of Skypark in Glasgow. Practice head Nick Scott is ‘a very good leader’, and Johane Murray is also highly regarded.

Within Construction, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP provides ‘very practical and commercial advice backed with sound industry knowledge’. In 2010, Manus Quigg on the contentious side was promoted to partner. On the non-contentious side, the team advised LXB Properties on the £20m-plus Winchburgh regeneration. Practice head Mark Finlay gives ‘sound advice on all aspects of the transaction, from expert contract advice to engaging with consultants and local authorities’.

Within Elsewhere in Scotland, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Paull & Williamsons LLP lost Colin MacLaren to Brodies LLP’s newly opened Aberdeen office. Despite that setback, Richard Goodfellow’s team retains its reputation for ‘close partner involvement and an excellent level of expertise’, with John Strachan highlighted as ‘technically sound and well regarded’. Recent highlights include advising HSBC on providing £10m of facilities to a property development company.

Within Environment, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s environment team ‘keeps up to speed on the always-changing waste industry in Scotland’; its ‘knowledge is second to none’. It acted for Scottish Borders Council regarding an £80m procurement contract for 
long-term residual waste disposal. Practice head Charles Smith displays ‘superior market knowledge’, and contaminated land expert Kenneth Ross is also recommended.

Within Planning, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Brodies LLP is ‘unhesitatingly recommended for planning and advocacy work’, with practice head Neil Collar ‘offering a very sensible and tough approach where necessary’. Recent highlights include advising Shore Energy Limited in an appeal against refusal of planning permission for an energy-from-waste plant in North Lanarkshire.

Within Property litigation, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Stephen Goldie’s four-partner property litigation team at Brodies LLP ‘always matches or exceeds clients ’ expectations when it comes to value for money, responsiveness and expertise’. Highlights for 2010 included advising Aberdeen City Council on the recovery of a seven-figure overage payment due from developer Stewart Milne Group. Goldie is ‘excellent at identifying the salient points of a problem’.

Within Intellectual property, Brodies LLP is a third tier firm,

Brodies LLP fields a ‘very talented team’. Grant Campbell’s ‘influence on the junior members is obvious and reflects his pragmatic approach’; and Douglas Mathie is ‘a safe pair of hands’.

Within IT and telecoms, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP is ‘excellent on all counts’. Andrew Rigby is an ‘outsourcing guru’; practice head Grant Campbell is recommended; and associate Martin Sloan is also noted, for IT contracts.

Within Transport, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Karen Hamilton took over as head of Brodies LLP’s transport team in 2010. Recent highlights include acting for developer LXB Properties regarding a complex objection to the Forth Crossing Bill; and advising tie on its procurement of a ticketing solution for the Edinburgh Trams project. Duncan MacLean, who heads the shipping team, and Odell Milne are also recommended.