Davidson Chalmers Stewart > Edinburgh, United Kingdom > Firm Profile

Davidson Chalmers Stewart > The Legal 500 Rankings

Real estate > Environment Tier 2

Handling waste management issues constitutes a core strength of Davidson Chalmers Stewart‘s team, not least due to the expertise of practice head Laura Tainsh. Recent contentious instructions include Scottish Landfill Tax tribunal cases and enforcement actions, whereas in the non-contentious sphere, the group provides advice on contaminated land in addition to transactional, regulatory, compliance and contractual matters.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 2

Davidson Chalmers Stewart is noted for its involvement in landlord and tenant disputes, including dilapidations claims and repair disputes, in addition to matters at the intersection with construction and planning, such as planning appeals. Commercial litigator and experienced arbitrator Sheila Webster heads up the practice, which further handles judicial reviews and contractual disputes arising from project developments; the former is an area of particular expertise for hotel and leisure sector specialist, Magnus Miller.

Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 3

Davidson Chalmers Stewart has particular strength in farm diversification projects and is regularly instructed by farmers, investors, landowners and commercial food producers. Andy Drane leads the team, which also advises on business management,  regulatory compliance and contentious matters. The team has recently seen increased activity in work related to carbon sequestering and carbon credits. Director Louise Jones handles lending matters, while director Henrietta Macpherson has particular expertise in sporting matters. Andrew McDonald left for Burness Paull LLP in July 2023.

Public sector > Health Tier 3

Davidson Chalmers Stewart is best known for its general medical and dental practice work with an emphasis on related transactional, corporate and commercial issues, most notably sales and acquisitions. Practice co-head Andy Drane has particular experience advising primary care medical operators on property law and regulatory issues, while co-head Craig Stirling leads on corporate and commercial work.

Real estate > Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow Tier 3

At Davidson Chalmers Stewart, the workload comprises development, investment and commercial leasing mandates; the group have observed a notable uptick in work pertaining to the housebuilding and healthcare sectors. With the experienced Andrew Chalmers at the helm, the team counts UK and international investment funds, developers and leisure operators to its client roster. Gavin Maclean is noted for his expertise in the fields of retail and leisure, while Bruce Lancaster‘s capabilities further encompass forward funding agreements. Andy Tyler joined as partner coming from Burness Paull LLP in August 2023.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Edinburgh and Glasgow Tier 4

Offering clients ‘commercially aware and completely genuine’ corporate advice, the team at Davidson Chalmers Stewart has an excellent reputation in the Scottish and UK market, particularly for M&A work in the healthcare and renewables sectors. Practice head Craig Stirling’s practice focuses primarily on complex M&A and private equity transactions. Stephen Smith departed to set up private practice, Harty & Smith, in August 2023.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 4

The ‘personable and approachable’ team at Davidson Chalmers Stewart handles a wide range of contractual disputes in addition to professional negligence claims, and is noted for its expertise in the healthcare sector, advising on medical and dental practice issues, partnership litigation and sector-specific contract disputes. Sheila Webster leads the team and has demonstrable experience in property litigation, while Magnus Miller handles real estate disputes and insolvency proceedings. Ewan McIntyre joined as partner coming from a consulting firm in May 2023.

Projects, energy and natural resources > Energy (excluding oil and gas) Tier 4

The renewable energy team at Davidson Chalmers Stewart consistently demonstrates considerable ‘breadth and depth of knowledge’ when advising on renewables development and redevelopment, disposal of renewables projects and investment into alternative energy businesses. The team has experience in advising on a variety of related issues, including on the property elements of renewable projects, such as for onshore wind, solar, hydro and battery storage. Nicola Scott heads up the commercial property team and regularly advises on the property and financing aspects of renewables projects. In Autumn 2023, Steven McAllister left the firm.

Real estate > Construction Tier 4

With director Simone Young, a transactional expert, heading up Davidson Chalmers Stewart‘s construction practice, the team is well-equipped to handle non-contentious matters. Clients, including developers and commercial tenants, instruct the team to assist with residential, mixed-use and refurbishment projects, as well as associated transactions, leases and loan facilities. It further draws on the firm’s wider dispute resolution group to provide a contentious offering.

Real estate > Planning Tier 4

With the Edinburgh-based director Jacqueline Cook at the helm, Davidson Chalmers Stewart is capable within both the non-contentious and contentious planning spheres. The team is geared to support on renewable energy projects, including those pertaining to onshore wind, as well as residential and mixed-use developments, which often involve planning agreements, obligations and appeals, among other contentious matters.