The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > Scotland > Commercial litigation

Brodies LLP fields an 'excellent' team, which is frequently involved in many of Scotland's most high-profile disputes, most notably those arising from food and drink sector contracts, oil and gas contracts, debt and asset recovery and the international supply of goods and services. The team led by Stephen Goldie is equally well versed in handling corporate disputes and has a strong alternative dispute resolution offering. 'Litigation heavyweight' Joyce Cullen and Iain Rutherford, who also handles high-value arbitration claims, are recommended, as is 'bright' professional negligence expert Tony Jones QC, who joined the firm in June 2018 from BTO Solicitors LLP, and associate Monica Connolly, who has particular expertise in high-value IT disputes.

Covering a broad range of disputes, Burness Paull LLP acts for clients across various sectors, including financial services, media and energy. The 'very calm and collected' Gary Moffat heads up the 'well organised and very responsive' commercial litigation team, which includes main contact for banking and regulatory disputes Stuart Murdoch, who made partner in February 2018. Recent work includes IP and product liability disputes, banking litigation and insolvency-related disputes, among others. Dispute resolution team head Neil Smith is another key individual.

Pinsent Masons LLP is a respected player in the market and utilises its strong cross-border capabilities to act for clients across a wide range of industries. Recently, the team led by 'impressive operator' Jim Cormack QC, a solicitor advocate since September 2018, has been handling high-profile banking litigation, IP and IT disputes and product liability claims as well as commercial disputes arising from energy projects. Craig Connal QC, who also sits as arbitrator, and commercial litigator Jacqueline Harris are other key individuals of the team. Contentious IP expert David Woods made partner in May 2018.

Shepherd and Wedderburn is well placed to handle a wide range of construction and contractual disputes, including breach of warranty. Insolvency practitioner Gillian Carty heads the 'fantastic' team, which includes the frequently recommended John MacKenzie; he is particularly noted for his expertise in IP and IT disputes. Barbara Bolton left the team in November 2018 to work in-house.

Addleshaw Goddard acts for corporate entities and individuals in a wide range of contractual and shareholder disputes, including insolvency-related matters. Commercial litigator Peter Anderson joined Simon Catto's team from Clyde & Co LLP in July 2018.

The 'strong' team at Anderson Strathern has particular expertise in the construction and transport sectors but also acts for clients across various other industries in a broad spectrum of commercial and contractual litigation. Fraser Geddes heads the team, which includes commercial litigator Gillian Jamieson, who was elevated to the partnership in September 2018.

Grant Hunter's 'strong' team at BTO Solicitors LLP is adept at handling insolvency-related, insurance and professional negligence commercial litigation while also having experience in corporate and partnership disputes. Its client base spans various industries including insurance, banking and finance, construction and property as well as renewable energy; the team also acts for individuals. David Young is recommended for property-related litigation. Tony Jones QC moved to Brodies LLP in June 2018.

Dentons' 'strong' team is well equipped to represent clients in various domestic and cross-border disputes arising from business transactions and shareholder relations. Its expertise also covers insolvency-related matters. The 'very good' Edinburgh-based Tim Edward, Glasgow partner Douglas Blyth and Aberdeen-based Malcolm Gunnyeon are the main contacts. In 2018, Rona Hutchison left the firm to change career and Ewan Easton retired from private practice.

Harper Macleod LLP's 'very approachable, professional and commercially minded' team is noted for its strong sports sector practice, receiving a steady flow of instructions from sports professional bodies, leading clubs and sports personalities. Other key areas of expertise include banking and finance, energy, real estate and construction-related commercial disputes but the team led by Sandy Hastie also acts in corporate and shareholder disputes.

MacRoberts LLP has a strong IT and IP litigation practice but is also well versed in representing clients in insurance and energy litigation alongside disputes arising from insolvency. Team head Julie Hamilton is a 'very capable and experienced litigator'.

Davidson Chalmers Stewart's 'strong' team is led by the 'excellent and very sharp' Sheila Webster, who is 'particularly strong in property litigation' and 'very nice to deal with'. Other areas of expertise include contractual and contract interpretation disputes, including breach of warranty claims, and negligence claims against solicitors and engineers. The 'smart' Greg Flett made partner in May 2018, while criminal solicitor advocate Laura Irvine joined from BTO Solicitors LLP in May 2018.

DLA Piper Scotland LLP is routinely engaged in cross-jurisdictional disputes and has particular expertise in handling public sector, property and construction-related disputes. Alastair Drummond is the main contact.

The team at DWF is experienced in handling domestic and cross-border commercial disputes as well as corporate litigation pertaining to the operation of corporate entities and shareholders' rights; recently, it has been particularly active in reputation and product-related matters. Following Euan McSherry's move to Aberdein Considine in November 2018, Naomi Pryde now heads the team; she divides her time between Edinburgh and London and joined the firm from Dentons in January 2019, while debt recovery expert Ricky Cannon joined from Brodies LLP in March 2018.

Lindsays assists clients with various corporate and commercial disputes and has particular expertise in property and real estate-related work. Douglas Millar heads the 'thorough' team.

Morton Fraser receives regular instructions from high-net-wort individuals and other private clients to act in disputes arising from their business activities, but the team is equally well placed to assist corporate and public sector clients with various commercial and corporate disputes. Richard McMeeken is the main contact.

'With considerable expertise in Scotland's northern markets', Stronachs LLP is particularly active in the region's key sectors such as energy and construction, while the 'sensible and commercial' team also increased its share of cross-border litigation. 'Great tactician and pragmatic litigator' Robert McDiarmid heads the team, which lost Robert McDonald in March 2018 following his appointment as sheriff.

The 'very business oriented' Euan McSherry now heads the team at Aberdein Considine following his arrival from DWF in November 2018 and former practice head Leonie Donald's departure in July 2018. The team is well placed to assist clients with various disputes concerning commercial contracts, insolvency disputes and litigation concerning the operation of corporate entities and shareholder rights.

Balfour+Manson LLP assists clients, including individuals and corporate entities, with various contractual, corporate and shareholder disputes. Gordon Deane and chairwoman Elaine Motion jointly head the team.

Clyde & Co LLP is best known for undertaking commercial litigation as a result of instructions from insurers or direct from nominated corporates. As well as its insurance sector expertise, the team led by Gordon Keyden also handles various construction-related disputes as well as product and professional liability matters.

As well as its commercial litigation expertise, the team at Shoosmiths routinely acts in insolvency and banking-related litigation. The 'outstanding' Stuart Clubb heads the team.