Debt recovery in Scotland

Aberdein Considine

With a 'very engaging and responsive' practice, Aberdein Considine handles debt recovery mandates across the UK, leveraging two distinct teams through its lender services practice group and commercial debt recovery team. The lender services group, which is led by Myra Scott, acts for a varied client roster of banks, asset-based lenders, building societies and other lenders on the recovery of secured mortgages, unsecured debt and other recoveries. The team also works closely with the banking litigation practice, which is led by Laura Browne, and Ross Webb, who leads the commercial debt recovery team, is also a key name to note.

Practice head(s):

Myra Scott; Laura Browne


Other key lawyers:

Ross Webb


Testimonials

‘The team at AC&Co are professional and very easy to do business with. They are very good at keeping clients informed of broader industry updates with regards to the courts and legal practices in general.’

‘Myra Scott and her team have been working for us for several years now, and we have a long standing relationship with the firm. The team are very engaging and are responsive to our needs/demands as a client.’

‘The team is a leader in the field of debt recovery and has particular expertise in secured recoveries. The team has a wide range of clients and is particularly strong in the banking sector. The practice is versatile and can deal with standard recoveries as well as the most complex and high value disputed matters. Through key strategic partnerships the team is able to deliver a seamless UK wide recovery service in Northern Ireland.’

‘Myra Scott is the go to lawyer for banks and financial institutions in Scotland. Myra has led the field in this area for many years and there is nothing she doesn’t know about the recoveries process in this jurisdiction. Myra is highly regarded by colleagues and clients alike as a source of tremendous knowledge. Her focus is on resolving disputes practically and has been involved in some of Scotland’s largest cases.’

Key clients

Lloyds Banking Group


Natwest Group plc


The Co-Operative Bank plc


Nationwide Building Society


Virgin Money plc


Skipton Building Society


TSB Bank plc


The Mortgage Lender Limited


Savills plc


Rooftop Mortgages Limited


Atom Bank plc


West Bromwich Building Society


Castlewater


Anderson Strachan


Brodies LLP

Fielding a sizeable debt and asset recovery team, which is 'always highly dependable and easy to deal with', Brodies LLP handles the full spectrum of debt recovery work for a client base of banks, debt purchasers, utility providers, lawyers and other debt collection agencies. The group is particularly well regarded for its work in the vehicle finance recovery space, where is advises motor retailers and motor finance companies. Iain Rutherford, Stephen Goldie and Marianne Griffin jointly lead the practice, which also includes highly experienced consultant Frank Johnstone.

Practice head(s):

Iain Rutherford; Stephen Goldie; Marianne Griffin


Other key lawyers:

Frank Johnstone


Testimonials

‘We can always rely on Brodies to provide expert guidance and excellent results. The debt recovery team is always highly dependable and easy to deal with, providing proactive support and keeping everything simple and free of confusing legal terminology.’

‘Frank Johnson has been a pleasure to deal with over the years, and Marianne Griffin is highly valued for her knowledge and approachability. Both are always happy to make themselves available to help, and are quick to respond to any query we may have.’

‘Slick and professional team always at hand to help with queries.’

‘We have found individuals highly knowledgeable and professional in all dealings.’

‘Brodies clearly recruit, develop and encourage their team to be commercial and proactive in their approach. They manage situations to obviously ensure they meet their client’s needs, rather than just service instructions. This differs from most practices.’

Key clients

Scottish Water Business Stream Limited t/a Business Stream


PRA Group (UK) Ltd


Toyota Financial Services (UK) Plc


FCA Automotive Services UK Limited


MotoNovo Finance


Work highlights


  • Appointment to act for a business lender dedicated to providing UK SME’s with flexible finance in relation to its recovery and insolvency work relative to higher value business loans and personal guarantees.
  • Instructed to advise on a title dispute relating to the supply by a reputable motor dealership of a prestige motor vehicle.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts

Morton Fraser MacRoberts (the result of the late-2023 merger between Morton Fraser and MacRoberts LLP) is highly active across the debt recovery space, with noted experience in consumer finance, banking, insolvency, and asset and invoice finance mandates. The group is also a key name in the market for fraud-related mandates and regularly handles issues involving the recovery of confiscated assets. Nicola Ross leads the department and focuses on recoveries litigation, particularly contractual disputes, while Debbie Brogan excels in matters involving motor finance issues, FCA-regulated work and landlord and tenants debts. Jennifer Andrew is a key contact for debt litigation, and Jo Purdy joined the team from CMS in early 2022. Following the merger, Leon Breakey, Denise Loney and Stephen Cowan are further key members of the practice.

Practice head(s):

Nicola Ross


Other key lawyers:

Debbie Brogan; Jennifer Andrew; Jo Purdy; Leon Breakey; Denise Loney; Stephen Cowan


Testimonials

‘Morton Fraser’s staff are second to none they give excellent service and you can contact any of the team at any time for advise before sending a case to them.’

‘Helpfulness, customer service with continuous support and guidance.’

‘Great communication regarding ongoing cases in a timely manner, regular catch ups for feedback and requirements going forward.’

Key clients

Bibby Group of Factors


Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance


Glasgow Credit Union


Handelsbanken


Investec


Moorgarth Property Investments Limited


MI Vehicle Finance Ltd


Curtis Banks


Lowther Homes Limited (part of Wheatley Group)


Marsh Finance Ltd


Work highlights


  • Acting for a commercial lender to devise and implement a strategy for recovery of Bounce Back Loans issued to customers during the pandemic which are now in default.
  • Advising various asset finance companies, including Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance and Bibby Financial Services, on the impact of changes in Government legislation and recent case law on debt collection practices and options available.

Shoosmiths

Shoosmiths LLP leverages the firm's UK-wide footprint to handle debt recovery work at a national level with mandates spanning all debt types including secured and unsecured lending, invoice finance work and asset finance matters. The practice focuses solely on litigation, enforcement and advisory work with expertise across the CCA-regulated lending, commercial lending, B2B recoveries and asset finance spaces. Andrew Foyle heads up the group and excels in regulated financial services sector litigation and commercial recoveries.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Foyle


Testimonials

‘Always happy to work with you and go above and beyond to get results.’

‘The team is knowledgeable and I have confidence in instructing them for advice and support.’

‘Andrew Foyle stands out for his knowledge, expertise and availability.’

‘I have always found the lawyers very approachable, down to earth and extremely helpful to me in my role as a credit controller.’

‘They know us as  a client and adapt their process to support our legal collection.’

‘Organised, user-friendly, approachable and absolutely committed to delivering a great service to clients.’

‘Andrew Foyle – partner – knows exactly what we need and delivers brilliantly every time.’

‘Ability to handle volume regulated cases, dedicated service provision to asset recovery and debt purchase sectors. Shoosmiths are unrivalled in these areas within Scotland.’

Key clients

Ovo Energy


Castle Water


Screwfix


MKM Building Supplies


First Response Finance Ltd


Close Brothers Invoice Finance Ltd


Bibby Leasing Limited


Iwoca Limited


Breedon Group


Aggregate Industries


Vetted Ltd t/a Check-a-trade


Aldermore Bank


DM Hall LLP


Lowell Finance


Work highlights


  • Acting for a lender in a series of claims regarding allegedly defective solar panels brought under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
  • Successfully acted for an electrical contractor in relation to payment of fees in a case where the works undertaken were dramatically altered from the original specification set out in the written contract.
  • Successfully acted for an energy provider in a case involving claims that a meter was defective, and had artificially inflated the sum sued for.

DWF

DWF's finance litigation and debt recovery practice leverages ‘ability, attention to detail, knowledge, experience and availability’ to handle a broad range of mandates with particular expertise in the finance, utility, debt purchase and real estate sectors. Group head Ricky Cannon attracts praise for his 'can do and will do attitude', which he applies to consumer, motor and asset finance claims, among others. Cannon is well supported by Danny McClymont, who has niche expertise in consumer credit and utilities litigation.

Practice head(s):

Ricky Cannon


Other key lawyers:

Danny McClymont


Testimonials

‘Specialist Scottish litigators, focusing on debt recovery across multiple sectors. What they don’t know, they will investigate and find out to ensure the correct and best service possible is provided to their clients.’

‘Ricky Cannon is what makes a difference to DWF! His can do and will do attitude towards Scottish Debt Recovery, along with his knowledge and understanding of Scottish Law and regulations across key utilities, is what drives him and his team and gives them a competitive advantage over others.’

‘Ability, attention to detail, knowledge, experience and availability.’

Key clients

Scottish Water Business


Stream


Santander Consumer Finance


Barclays Partner Finance


Moneybarn Motor Finance


Intrum


Startline Motor Finance


Hyundai Finance


Volvo Finance


PSA Finance


Sun Belt Rentals


Park’s Motor Group


Work highlights


  • Providing a comprehensive national recovery solution, and managing a multi-million pound debt portfolio in Scotland alone under a comprehensive delegated authority scheme for Santander Consumer (UK) Plc.
  • Providing a comprehensive national recovery solution, and managing a multi-million pound debt portfolio in Scotland alone under a comprehensive delegated authority scheme for Scottish Water Business Stream.

Gilson Gray

As ‘an approachable firm with efficient, streamlined processes in place and excellent communication methods‘, Gilson Gray‘s debt recovery team works alongside the firm’s litigation department to advise on a diverse range of mandates. David Alexander heads up the practice and is praised for his ability to ‘always keep the client’s commercial needs in mind‘.

Practice head(s):

David Alexander


Testimonials

‘The team headed by David Alexander are our go to agents. Always providing a swift and commercial approach we have no hesitation in recommending the firm.’

‘David Alexander leads the team and is always pragmatic in providing the assistance sought.’

‘Gilson Gray are an approachable firm with efficient, streamlined processes in place and excellent communication methods.’

Key clients

MGM Timber (Scotland) Limited


Yesss Electrical


91BC Property Management Limited


Donaldson Timber Engineering Limited


Blake Morgan Solicitors


Abertay Housing Association Limited


Opus Restructuring


Credit Collections Group Limited


Subway Scotland


St Enoch Trustee Company Limited


Grant Thornton UK LLP


Work highlights


  • Advised Abertay Housing Association Limited on the recovery of historic debts due to numerous historic tenants.
  • Advised Mercedes- Benz Financial Services UK Limited in relation to the recovery of sums to it by defaulting vehicle hirees, and advised on the defence of numerous actions raised under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
  • Advised the Donaldson Group (including MGM Timber (Scotland) Limited and Donaldson Timber Engineering Limited) with regards to numerous debts due from limited liability customers and via numerous Personal Guarantees.

Harper Macleod LLP

Harper Macleod LLP handles the full spectrum of debt recovery mandates, assisting a varied client roster of public sector bodies, registered social landlords, plcs, SMEs and individuals. The group is particularly active in the public and housing sectors and has also expanded its work in private sector spaces including the utilities, banking, health and media industries, among others. Andrew Hunter and Natalie Dissake jointly lead the practice, which gained Bill Stark as a consultant in 2022.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Hunter; Natalie Dissake


Other key lawyers:

Bill Stark; Lyndsay McMahon; Keri Preece; Eilidh Crawford


Testimonials

‘Harper Macleod is a very reliable firm.’

‘Andrew Hunter (Partner), Natalie Dissake (Partner), Keri Preece (Associate) – all with good knowledge of all relevant legislation and advise with a commercial head in mind.’

‘Eilidh Crawford is succinct and efficient and has always taken time to explain something further if required. Would definitely recommend.’

‘Helpful and knowledgeable staff.’

Key clients

Link Group Limited


Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association


Scottish Borders Housing Association


Accountant in Bankruptcy


Forsyth of Denny Limited


John W Grant & Son Limited


Stirling Park LLP


Cairn Housing Association Limited


HSS ProService Limited


Pure (CGV) Ltd t/a Pure Utilities


Complete Storage& Interiors Limited


TLT

Led by John Paul Sheridan, TLT's practice acts for a client roster spanning clearing banks, building societies, new market entrants and specialist lenders on car finance mandates, secured recoveries and mortgage related issues. The group is also active in financial services litigation and fields a mortgage enforcement team.

Practice head(s):

John Paul Sheridan


Other key lawyers:

Louise Chopra; Louise Gould


Testimonials

‘We have worked with the Debt Recovery Team at TLT for the past few months. They have been nothing short of outstanding! Their success rate compared to other debt recovery companies is way ahead of what we have experienced. They have tailored their service to us and advised us with our existing debt recovery process, combining both companies knowledge to create a robust system that works.’

‘Extremely diligent when reviewing cases. Will genuinely give a fair and balanced view on whether to proceed or not.’

‘Personal supervision of case management by key contacts, assurance of efficient and speedy service provision. UK reach and knowledge.’

‘Approachability and availability are important factors in obtaining urgent advice for our clients – this is consistently delivered throughout their debt recovery practice area under the management of Louise Gould.’

‘Highly knowledgeable in providing advice on debt recovery, in particular the litigation process. Approachable and accommodating. Provide timely responses.’

Addleshaw Goddard

Active across a broad range of debt recovery disputes, Addleshaw Goddard's practice includes group co-heads Lynsey Walker and Alan Sinclair, who are based in Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively; Walker is a specialist finance litigator and Sinclair excels in debt recovery work and insolvency-related issues. The group is singled out for its knowledge of complex recoveries, enforcement work and insolvency claims. Simon Catto, who leads the litigation team in Scotland also contributes to the practice.

Practice head(s):

Lynsey Walker; Alan Sinclair


Other key lawyers:

Simon Catto


Testimonials

‘Clear, practical and timely advice received. Good knowledge at all levels of the team.’

‘Availability and sound advice.’

‘They try to ‘think outside the box’ and offer a solution that best fits the case at hand.’

‘Addleshaw have taken some time to understand our industry and in doing so can progress debt claims very efficiently. When progressing more technical claims we are always supported and guided up to and including partner level.’

‘Lynsey Walker leads an expert team in this area. She is commercially astute and has an in-depth knowledge of the Financial Services industry. I find her team at AG to be pro-active and to operate like an extension of my teams in driving cases forward. They provide straightforward advice leading to dynamic and successful outcomes.’

‘The team at Addleshaw Goddard are excellent in terms of debt recovery. They provide great advice on what steps we should take as a business to give us the best possible chance of recovering the debt whilst trying to keep costs to a minimum.’

Key clients

Promontoria (Henrico) Limited


Promontoria (Chestnut) Limited


Clydesdale Bank plc / Virgin Money plc


Natwest/Royal Bank of Scotland plc


Aldermore Bank plc


Shawbrook Bank


DF Capital


Assetz SME Capital Limited


Siemens Financial Services Limited


Armada Asset Finance


FRP Advisory LLP


Johnston Carmichael


Close Invoice Finance Limited


Carden Place


Castle Water Limited


Scottish Woodlands Limited


Eastern Western Motor Group Ltd


Park Property Management


Scottish Police Credit Union


Tail O’The Bank Credit Union


Kelvinside Academy


Ethigen Pharmaceutical


Larkhill Properties Limited


Visionhold Limited


Hibernian Football Club


ORD Industrial & Commercial Supplies Limited


UK Fuels Ltd


Scottish Decorators Federation


Aitken’s Sportsturf Limited


Macpherson Lawn Turf


Shire Housing


Ayrshire Housing


Abertay Housing Association


C-urb 6 Ltd trading as C-urb Factoring


C-urb 6 Ltd trading as C-urb PSL


Linstone Housing Association Ltd


Paragon Housing Association Ltd


Grampian Housing Association Ltd


Work highlights


  • Pursuing a portfolio of high-value debts for Clydesdale Bank plc/Virgin Money plc.

Anderson Strathern

Anderson Strathern's debt recovery group counts individuals, SMEs, public sector bodies and banking institutions as clients, and is well regarded for its knowledge of the property sector. Fiona Stephen and Fraser Geddes lead the team from Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively; Gillian Jamieson and Gillian Murray also contribute to the practice.

Practice head(s):

Fiona Stephen; Fraser Geddes


Other key lawyers:

Gillian Jamieson; Gillian Murray


Key clients

Style Scotland Limited


Stirling Park


Property Management Company (Aberdeen) Limited


Brandon Hire Limited


Hacking & Paterson Management Services


Firstport Property Services Scotland Ltd


Ross & Liddell Ltd


Lancefield Quay Riverside Limited


Residential Management Group Scotland Limited


Will Rudd Davidson (Glasgow) Ltd


City of Edinburgh Council


Work highlights


  • Appointed as the sole provider for debt recovery services by The City of Edinburgh Council.
  • Acting for Hacking & Paterson Management Services in respect of unpaid fees for factoring services rendered.

BTO Solicitors LLP

BTO Solicitors LLP‘s recoveries practice handles a varied range of work for banks and other financial institutions, credit insurers, SMEs, credit card companies landlords, retailers and care homes, among others. The group advises on secured and unsecured recoveries and has recently seen mandates in the hospitality, leisure, and food and drink sectors. Grant Hunter leads the group, which also fields litigator Angus Wood, who is dual qualified in Scotland and England, and senior associate Kirsteen Maclean.

Practice head(s):

Grant Hunter


Other key lawyers:

Angus Wood; Kirsteen Maclean


Testimonials

‘Speed of service, delegation of instructions to specialist team members, swiftness of response to urgent queries, consistent Partner led engagement. Appreciation of the benefits of a reciprocal relationship.’

‘Availability, sound knowledge and experience of key contacts ensures trust and confidence in advice and services received. Grant Hunter and Angus Wood, Partners, Kirsteen Maclean, Senior Associate, stand-out in the areas attributable to our practice areas of debt recovery and insolvency.’

‘Great knowledge base covering all aspects of litigation required.’

‘Good level of engagement and expertise held.’

Key clients

American Express Services (Europe) Limited


Coface UK Limited


Lloyds Banking Group


Barchester Care Homes Limited


Greenbelt Group


RMG Scotland Limited


First Bus Group (Transportation Claims Limited)


Robert Jones Glasgow Limited


Stena Line Ports Limited


James Gibb Property Management Limited


Scott and Co, Sheriff Officers


United Wholesale (Scotland) Limited


Debt Collect UK Limited


Scottish Football Association (Scottish FA)


Link Group (Link Housing)


Coyle Personnel Limited


FedEx Express UK Limited (agency)


Puma UK (agency)


Volvo Group (UK) Limited (agency)


Apex Resources Limited


Allma Construction Limited


Briar Homes Limited


Davis Track Hire Limited


Mears Group PLC


Shawfair LLP


Quarriers (Charity)


Barony Universal Products


Mctaggart & Mickel Group


Hero Brands


Pendragon PLC / Evans Halshaw / Stratstone


Isle of Arran Distillers Limited


SRJ (Scotland) Ltd t/a SRJ Windows & Kitchens


Invervar Hydro Development Limited


Luss Estates Company


Racon Management Services Ltd


Calma Group Ltd


Peter Cusack Property Consultancy Ltd


Integrated Environmental Solutions Limited


The Corum Partnership


Berwickshire Housing Association


Angus Dundee Distillers plc


Work highlights


  • Handle all credit card debt recovery litigation in Scotland for American Express Services Europe Limited.
  • Acting as the sole appointed Scottish solicitors for Coface UK and handle all its commercial debt recovery litigation in Scotland.
  • Acting as sole debt recovery provider to London & Cambridge Properties.