The Legal 500

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

Brodies LLP, which provides ‘excellent value for money and industry knowledge’, acted on more deals than any other Scottish firm in 2011, with an aggregate value in excess of £7bn. Julian Voge leads the ten-partner team, which acted on Edinburgh’s largest investment deal of 2011 when it represented the buyer in a share purchase deal to acquire Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh’s largest shopping mall. Andrew Rigby has ‘a vast depth of knowledge’.

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Within Corporate and commercial: Elsewhere in Scotland, Brodies LLP is a third tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s Aberdeen office hit the ground running following its inception in 2011 through the recruitment of Clare Munro from Total and the firm’s strategic merger with local commercial firm Davies Wood Summers LLP. In 2011, it represented Transocean Drilling in its negotiations with various purchasers of Transocean’s shareholding in Challenger Minerals (North Sea) Limited. Gill Summers is also recommended.

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

Brodies LLP’s three-partner corporate tax team provides ‘very structured, straightforward, comprehensible advice in areas where the statutory code can sometimes be complex and cumbersome’. It expanded its offering in 2011, adding director Nigel Watson, an expert in employee benefits/share schemes, from Addleshaw Goddard LLP, and associate Joanna Clark, who has contentious experience, from Shepherd and Wedderburn. The group has strong property tax expertise, particularly in relation to Scottish stamp duty land tax (SDLT), and in 2011 it advised Scottish Borders Council on the SDLT issues arising from a residual waste services PPP contract. Isobel d’Inverno is ‘a very skilful communicator’.

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

Building on Mark Clough QC’s arrival, Brodies LLP’s competition practice made great strides in 2011, which was capped off by the opening of offices in Brussels and Aberdeen. ‘Among the leading pack in Scotland for public law and competition issues’, it represented Lothian Buses in the Competition Commission investigation into the local bus services market. The ‘outstanding’ Christine O’Neill is ‘very commercial and delivers her advice with humour and sagacity’, and associate Charles Livingstone ‘knows Scottish public law inside out’.

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Within Licensing, Brodies LLP is a third tier firm,

Brodies LLP continues to act for TGI Fridays and Pizza Hut, and provides ‘great service in terms of speed and quality of work’.

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

Brodies LLP fields one of Scotland’s largest litigation teams, which grew further with the opening of the Aberdeen office in 2011 and the recruitment of marine specialist Malcolm Mackay from Balfour+Manson LLP bringing the number of partners up to 14. Highlights included defending RBS in a landmark banking case seeking to recall an appointment of administrators. Practice co-heads Joyce Cullen and Robin Macpherson are recommended, and insolvency specialist Rachel Grant is ‘very knowledgeable in her field’.

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

David Whyte heads the team at Brodies LLP, which has particular expertise in property-related debts, including rent, common charges and insurances. Recent work includes advising PricewaterhouseCoopers on the recovery of a large portfolio of contested and uncontested debts.

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

Brodies LLP is ‘first choice for renewable energy projects in Scotland’, and also has deep resources to cover property and acquisition financing as well as debt restructuring. In 2011 it acted for Credential Investment Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries in the £200m restructuring of its facilities. Energy and infrastructure finance head Michael Stoneham is ‘able to understand the opposing solicitors ’ point of view and come up with solutions that get the deal done’, and Alan Knowles is ‘hands-on and responsive’.

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

Brodies LLP’s leading corporate recovery practice ‘combines sound advice with a realistic approach to fees’. Ten partners and 14 other lawyers provide dedicated expertise for a broad spectrum of clients, and in 2011 it acted for Ernst & Young in the politically sensitive administration of Skylon Campbeltown Limited. Practice head Colin McIntosh and Rachel Grant have ‘sound technical knowledge combined with a practical and common-sense approach’.

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

Brodies LLP’s funds group advised Barclays Bank on the Scottish law aspects of its $740m sale of private equity assets to AXA Private Equity, and also acted on the second round of fundraising for FIM Services Limited’s Sustainable Timber and Energy LP fund. Alistair Campbell is recommended, as is venture capital expert William McIntosh.

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Within Employment, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Clients praise the ‘exceptional’ service, ‘pragmatic, solution-driven approach’, and ‘depth and breadth of knowledge’ of Brodies LLP’s employment team, which continued to expand in 2011 with the addition of Nigel Watson from Addleshaw Goddard LLP. New clients include Glasgow Caledonian University and Turning Point Scotland. Joan Cradden heads the practice.

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

Clients praise Brodies LLP’s ‘consistently high standard of service’ and ‘prompt responses’. The firm strengthened its health and safety offering in 2011 by adding Malcolm Mackay from Balfour+Manson LLP. Clients include Scottish Power and National Express.

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Within Pensions, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s pensions team expanded in 2011 when it hired Juliet Bayne from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP. It has seen a growing number of trustee appointments, and advised the trustees of the Educational Institute of Scotland’s pension scheme and the trustees of the Howden Group pension plan.

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

Brodies LLP acts for a number of private healthcare providers in Scotland, including BMI Healthcare, General Healthcare Group and BUPA. Clients praise the ‘excellent, responsive and commercial’ service, and ‘prompt response times and pragmatic advice’. Team head Cameron McNaught is ‘approachable’, and ‘a good all-rounder who can cover all clinical negligence areas’.

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

Brodies LLP’s medical negligence team is ‘very helpful and accommodating’. David Armstrong leads the practice and is ‘approachable, courteous and efficient’. In 2011, the group secured settlements totalling over £8m.

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

Brodies LLP recently represented leading insurers in the UK judicial review of the Damages (Asbestos Related Conditions) (Scotland) Act 2009. Clients praise the ‘clear and appropriate’ advice, ‘wide spectrum of knowledge’, and ‘well-balanced team’. Practice head Cameron McNaught is ‘an excellent lawyer’.

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

Brodies LLP’s personal injury team ‘always strives to offer its clients the best possible advice’. The group works for a significant number of referrers, such as National Accident Helpline and Accident Advice Helpline. Practice head David Armstrong is ‘very thorough and professional’.

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

Brodies LLP, which acts for pursuers and defenders, provides a ‘high standard’ of service and has ‘a sympathetic approach’. New clients include Zurich, Axis and Pink Home Loans. Practice head Alan Calvert, Robin Macpherson and the ‘hardworking’ Manus Quigg are highly regarded.

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

Several firms continue to espouse a ‘Scotland-only’ strategy. Brodies LLP has further consolidated its dominant position in the marketplace through its newly opened Aberdeen office and an outpost in Brussels to handle a growing flow of competition work. Burness LLP’s strong corporate finance capability has helped it to capture a wider market share in a diminished Scottish transactional landscape. Tods Murray LLP also benefits from a Scotland-only focus to capture referral work from national law firms.

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

Brodies LLP is noted for its ‘first-class’ service, ‘excellent business acumen and industry knowledge’. The team recently hired Clive Phillips from Ledingham Chalmers LLP. Practice head Odell Milne is an ‘outstanding asset’ and has ‘boundless enthusiasm for the subject’.

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Within Charities, Brodies LLP is a third tier firm,

Brodies LLP was reappointed to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) following competitive tender. Brenda Scott heads the group.

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Within Family, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP has particular experience in high-net-worth divorce cases. Practice head Scott Cochrane is recommended, as is associate Leonie Burke, who is ‘particularly diligent and conscientious’, and ‘extremely thorough’.

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

Alan Barr now leads Brodies LLP’s ‘strong’ team, following Hugh Stevens’ retirement. The group, which adopts ‘a sensible and commercial approach’, includes accredited specialist in trust law Susanne Beveridge, who is ‘personable and professional’ and ‘leads well’.

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

Brodies LLP’s six-partner energy team provides ‘supremely competent advice that is always timely and appropriate’. It acted for key client Co-op Bank in the project financing of the 27MW Little Raith wind farm. Practice head Neil Collar is ‘very easy to work with and supremely knowledgeable’.

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Within Oil and gas, Brodies LLP is a third tier firm,

The addition of Clare Munro’s ‘excellent industry knowledge and experience’ to Brodies LLP’s newly formed Aberdeen office has given the firm a strong platform from which to build. In 2011 it advised Endeavour Energy UK Limited on its $330m purchase of various assets from ConocoPhillips. Greg May has ‘extensive knowledge of oil and gas law’.

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Within Projects, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP has strong waste management PPP expertise, and advised Scottish Borders Council on procuring a long-term waste management services PPP project. It is also very active in the project finance arena, thanks to its longstanding relationship with Co-op Bank. Keith Patterson heads the projects, energy and infrastructure group.

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Within Education, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s ‘impressive and very knowledgeable’ team provides ‘first-class service’. It picked up several new clients in 2011, including Glasgow Caledonian University, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Queen Margaret University. Joyce Cullen has ‘wide experience’, and William McIntosh provides ‘excellent counsel’.

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Within Health, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

‘A professional and proactive firm’, Brodies LLP advises life sciences and healthcare companies on joint ventures, fundraising and M&A, and works to ‘a high, professional standard’. Recent instructions include advising on a spinout from Counterweight. Keith Patterson leads the group.

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

Brodies LLP is the sole legal provider to Aberdeen City Council, and continues to advise Glasgow City Council on the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village. Clients praise its ‘high level of technical ability, relevant knowledge’, and ‘exemplary service’. Team head Jackie McGuire is ‘acutely aware of the unique peculiarities of acting for a local authority’.

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

Christine O’Neill leads Brodies LLP’s parliamentary and public law group, which gives advice on legislation, judicial reviews, public inquiries and public procurement. Recent work includes advising Axa Insurance plc, Aviva, Zurich, and RSA in a challenge to the validity of the Damages (Asbestos Related Conditions) (Scotland) Act.

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

: Brodies LLP’s 23-partner team has ‘considerable depth of real estate knowledge’. In 2011 it acted for HSBC-managed InfraRed Capital Partners Limited on the acquisition, pre-letting, Scottish Enterprise grant funding and construction of a newbuild distribution warehouse in Dunfermline. Practice head Nick Scott and retail and leisure team head Colin Morrison are both ‘efficient document handlers’, and Johane Murray has ‘a holistic interest in the client’s business’.

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Within Commercial property: Elsewhere in Scotland Commercial property: Elsewhere in Scotland

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Within Construction, Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s construction team ‘always shows a good level of acumen and industry knowledge and has the best interests of the client at the heart of its strategy’. 2011 saw the opening of its Aberdeen office, and practice head Mark Finlay represented The Drum Group in the construction of an office campus development in Aberdeen. Contentious specialist Manus Quigg is recommended for his strategic expertise.

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Within Environment, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Brodies LLP stands out for its ‘excellent knowledge of the waste, renewable energy and environmental industries’. In 2011 it acted for Scottish Borders Council on its procurement of a long-term waste management services PPP. Practice head Charles Smith is assisted by the ‘professional’ Kenneth Ross and ‘industry leader’ Neil Collar.

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Within Planning, Brodies LLP is a first tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s ‘highly accessible’ planning team provides ‘confident, authoritative advice in a timely fashion’, and is particularly noted for its expertise in drafting s75 planning obligations. In 2011 it acted for Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority in relation to a proposed gold mine. Practice head Neil Collar provides ‘excellent strategic and tactical advice’.

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

Brodies LLP’s Stephen Goldie is many clients’ ‘first choice’ for contentious property matters. In 2011, the firm acted for Aberdeen City Council in a case concerning the recovery of a seven-figure overage payment from Stewart Milne Group.

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

Brodies LLP’s practice head Grant Campbell is ‘excellent with clients’. The practice was reinforced by the recruitment of accredited specialists Gill Grassie and Robert Buchan from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP.

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

Grant Campbell leads Brodies LLP’s ‘excellent, very professional’ and ‘proactive’ technology, information and outsourcing team. Recent work includes advising Standard Life on framework agreements for IT outsourcing. Other clients include ING Direct and BAE Systems.

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Within Transport , Brodies LLP is a second tier firm,

Brodies LLP’s advice is ‘to the point, clear and highly effective’. Recent work includes advising Caledonian Maritime Assets on the construction of a new vessel, and other clients include BAA, Lothian Buses and BP Shipping. Karen Hamilton heads the team and is ‘proactive, personable and extremely hardworking’.

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