Brodies LLP's banking practice continues to grow at a junior level, building on the recent expansion in its senior ranks. The firm acts for a roughly even split of lenders and borrowers, and is known for its strengths in infrastructure finance, renewable energy and finance in the oil and gas sector, real estate finance and corporate acquisition finance. It is also well regarded for its marine finance practice, which is led by Neal Richardson, and handles new construction and vessel acquisition financings around the world. Practice head Bruce Stephen, who has over 20 years of experience, focuses on asset-based lending and receivables financing. Chris Dun is recommended for his investment and development finance expertise. Michael Stoneham heads up the energy and infrastructure practice.
Banking and finance in Scotland
Brodies LLP
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Chris Dun; Michael Stoneham; Peter Kelly; Alan Knowles; Marion MacInnes; Neal Richardson
Testimonials
‘Very commercial and practical team’.
‘Good knowledge of the market’.
‘Willing to forego legalistic battles in order to achieve a commercial outcome’.
‘Good knowledge of the market’.
‘Excellent service and several team members always involved in each transaction ensuring continuity and quick speed of response’.
‘Excellent service from Neal Richardson, always attentive and has a deep understanding of the customers and banks requirements’.
Key clients
Lloyds Banking Group/Bank of Scotland Plc
The Royal Bank of Scotland
HSBC Bank Plc
Scottish Enterprise
Shawbrook Bank
Whyte & Mackay
DNB Bank
Ashby Capital LLP
Meallmore Limited
City Facilities Management Holdings (UK) Limited
Work highlights
- Acted in the £38m financing of the acquisition of the Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, Edinburgh by Franklin Templeton Investments.
- Acted for Secure Trust Bank in relation to facilities to a Study Inn Group SPV for the development of student accommodation at a former job centre building in Loughborough.
- Providing specialist advice to Scottish Enterprise on the provision of secured mezzanine debt for an online leading platform.
Burness Paull LLP
Burness Paull LLP is noted for its financing work, which focuses on oil and gas finance, renewables finance, leveraged finance and fund finance, including multijurisdictional debt and security structures. Alan Soppitt leads the team, which includes Jonathan Heaney, who has expertise in corporate lending and real estate finance. Aberdeen-based John Kennedy is renowned for his experience of advising major UK and Scottish banks on leveraged finance transactions in the oil and gas market. Dawn Reoch joined as a partner from CMS. Scott Wilson retired and Gaenor Cassell left the firm for Addleshaw Goddard.
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Testimonials
The service provided by Burness Paull is one of the best in the market – you can always be sure of a comprehensive, concise response within the timescale required’.
‘The expertise within the firm is wide-ranging – they know what they can do, and will ensure that the client is aware of, and able to maximise their input’.
‘I think their size, compared to other bigger firms, means that they are able to act quickly and nimbly, and offer a competitive service for clients’.
‘Client service is clearly a priority – the service described is testament to that’.
‘The team are excellent at thinking outside the box – involving expertise from other areas of the firm wherever that might be required, and even in cases where we haven’t been aware of the requirement’.
‘Value for money is good – I always feel able to pick up the phone without becoming anxious of an incoming bill, or difficult fee negotiations’.
‘Their response times reflect their commercial awareness – they react quickly to ensure that we can optimise our business’.
‘Responsive, pragmatic, knowledgeable and efficient’.
Key clients
Santander UK plc
AgFe (Debt Fund)
CSG Glasgow Limited (part of the Chris Stewart Group)
Maven Capital Partners
Creditfix Asset Holdings Limited
Clydesdale Bank plc
MUFG Bank Limited
ING Corporate Investments Mezzanine Fonds B.V.
Danske Bank
Magnesium Capital
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Bank of Scotland plc
i3 Energy plc
Fortwell Capital Limited
BlueGem Capital Partners LLP
Springfield Properties plc
The Harbro Group
Work highlights
- Advising Edinburgh Alternative Finance Limited on borrowing base senior and mezzanine facilities provided by a Dutch bank and the Scottish national economic development agency.
- Advising Tailwind Energy Limited and Tailwind Mistral Limited on reserves base lending (RBL) facilities provided by a syndicate of banks together with a junior standby facility provided by Mercuria Trading, the group’s investors/sponsors.
- Advising CSG Glasgow Limited on a real estate development and investment facility with RBS, alongside a forward purchase by a Pension Fund.
CMS
The banking and finance team at CMS acts for borrowers and banks on multijurisdictional transactions with the assistance of its global network of offices. Its advisory group handles derivatives products, portfolio, loan and sale programmes. Group head Gordon Hay is well regarded for his experience of project and energy finance. Stephen Phillips is an expert in corporate lending, receivables financing, derivatives and securitisations. Caryn Penley advises lenders and borrowers on acquisition finance, development finance, real estate finance and asset finance transactions. Jenny Allan is another name to note. Dawn Reoch left for Burness Paull LLP.
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Testimonials
‘CMS understands the sector, are well resourced with dedicated associates and partners. They are always available and understand how to structure deals and go above and beyond.’
‘Gordon Hay is very commercial, highly available and understands what does and doesn’t work.’
‘The strengths of this team are its sector experience, commercial approach and the fact it strives to provide an excellent service.’
‘Jenny Allen stands out for her availability and commercial approach to matters.’
Key clients
Close Brothers
Clyde Blowers Limited
Investec
ISDA
John Wood Group plc
Santander
Work highlights
- Advised renewable energy business GreenPower on the financing aspects of its acquisition of 100% ownership in its 46 MW Carraig Gheal onshore wind farm from JV partner, Ampere Equity Fund.
- Acted for the funder (Close Leasing Limited) and the developer (Muirhall Energy Limited) on the first project financed unsubsidised wind farm in the UK.
- Acting for private equity sponsor Lonsdale Capital Partners LLP and its portfolio companies on a number of acquisition finance transactions.
Dickson Minto WS
Dickson Minto WS handles debt finance, private equity and other transactional work. Clients include banks, financial institutions and borrowers. Colin McHale is recommended for acquisition and real estate finance.
Practice head(s):
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP is well-known for its broad finance expertise, which spans derivatives, ship finance, asset-based lending and oil and gas reserve-based lending, among other areas. The firm also acts for bond issuers and lead managers on debt capital markets transactions. Team head John Maciver is experienced in acting for lenders, borrowers and other loan market participants. Aberdeen-based practitioner Richard Scott is noted for his experience of acquisition finance, vessel finance and real estate finance. Gillian Frew focuses on energy and infrastructure finance.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Michael Watson; Iain Macauley; Richard Scott; Gillian Frew; Alan Cassels
Testimonials
‘They work well together, have good sector and market knowledge and are always available’
‘They are very focused on getting the deal done and are great people to work alongside’
‘Alan Cassel is a great guy to work with, very commercial and has good market knowledge’
‘Pinsents are a knowledgeable, well-managed practice who provide sound, cost-effective advice to their clients’
‘The banking and finance team are one of the strongest in Aberdeen and the “go-to” legal advisers for a number of banks’
‘In addition to their undoubted knowledge and practical experience in this field, they adopt a very pragmatic and commercial approach to transactions’
‘They have practical experience in leveraged transactions, partner availability and efficient delivery’
Key clients
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
HSBC UK Bank plc
Santander UK plc
Clydesdale Bank plc
Homes England
Legal & General Investment Management Limited
Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited
iGas PLC
Arcus Infrastructure Partners
Ancala Partners LLP
Bridges Fund Management
HFD Property Group
Work highlights
- Advising Ithaca Energy plc on its $1.65bn reserve based facility which forms part of a $2bn financing package to fund the acquisition of a package of assets from Chevron.
- Advised Legal & General Investment Management Limited in the refinancing of term loan facilities with City Property Glasgow (Investments) LLP.
- Advised Arcus Infrastructure Partners on the purchase of 100% of Foresight Metering Management Limited, a smart meter infrastructure provider in the UK.
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Shepherd and Wedderburn is noted for its expertise in securitisation and cross-border debt capital markets transactions. The firm generates mandates in the energy, real estate, food and drink, healthcare and leisure sectors. Also notable is that the team has niche expertise in Islamic and ethical finance. The team acts for commercial and investment banks, corporate borrowers, sponsors and developers. Practice head Fiona Buchanan is adept at handling conventional secured and unsecured loans for Scottish businesses. Andrew Kinnes focuses on leveraged and real estate finance. Hamish Patrick is recommended for debt finance and restructuring. Graham Burnside retired.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Kinnes; Hamish Patrick; Patrick Bell; Clare Foster; Rob MacLeod; Iain Wishart
Testimonials
‘Hamish Patrick is what makes this practice unique. He gives City of London quality advice. He is very efficient and quick and pragmatic.’
‘Hamish Patrick is excellent – very smart, very efficient and very calm.’
‘Patrick Bell understood the case intimately and was a true trusted advisor.’
Key clients
Clydesdale Bank plc
Lloyds Banking Group
HSBC Bank plc
Scottish Enterprise
Santander UK plc
Nord LB
Amber Infrastructure
Green Investment Group
Yorkshire Building Society
JP Morgan
Work highlights
- Advised Investec Bank plc as senior lender on the development funding for CA Ventures of its first UK portfolio of purpose-built student accommodation projects with an aggregate capital value of £120m.
- Advised Assured Guaranty (Europe) plc on the funding of a major sale and lease back of properties throughout Glasgow by Glasgow City Council and an SPV by an innovative, privately placed secured 30 year bond issue, wrapped by a guarantee by Assured Guaranty with a value of £195m.
- Acting for Moray East on the banking, consenting, property and aviation aspects of the £2.6bn project financing of a 1,116MW offshore wind farm.
Addleshaw Goddard
Addleshaw Goddard acts as lead counsel on major Scottish financings and has noted expertise in acquisition finance, project finance, real estate finance, asset-based lending and corporate refinancings. Team head Alan Shanks is recommended for his finance experience in the energy sector. Euan Cluness is experienced in corporate lending, acquisition finance and asset-based lending. Aberdeen-based Catriona Smith handles financing transactions connected with the onshore and offshore renewables, offshore supply chain and shipping sectors. Gaenor Cassell joined as a partner from Burness Paull LLP.
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Testimonials
‘The firm combines a commercial mindset with robust in depth sector knowledge and pro-active engagement with us as their client.’
‘Tom Spiers’ collaborative approach and strong underlying knowledge of the healthcare sector has proven invaluable throughout a number of recent transactions.’
‘We particularly value Tom Spiers’ communcation skills, pro-active engagement, and accountability to the lending process. Tom has shown a steady hand during challenging negotiations with our clients which sets him apart from many of his peers / competitors.’
‘Euan Cluness has attention to detail, business acumen and accessibility.’
‘Euan Cluness is close to matters he is instructed on and the service provided by his team; he takes personal responsibility for transactions he is leading.’
Key clients
Clydesdale Bank plc
Royal Bank of Scotland plc
HSBC UK Bank plc
Lloyds Banking Group
Barclays Bank PLC
NIBC Bank N.V.
PNC Business Credit
Red Rock Power Limited
Point and Sandwick Power
Waldorf Acquisition Co Ltd
Work highlights
- Acted for the lenders in the multi-bank £60m refinancing of A.G. Barr plc one of the leading UK soft drink manufacturers headquartered in Cumbernauld.
- Advised Red Rock Power Limited (RRP) on the refinancing of Afton Wind Farm (Afton) by National Westminster Bank plc (NatWest).
- Acting for Waldorf on the acquisition of Endeavour Energy UK’s interests in four separate petroleum licences in the North Sea.
Dentons
Dentons is noted for its track record in domestic and international mandates spanning areas such as acquisition finance, project and infrastructure finance, real estate finance and asset finance. It is also well regarded for its securitisation work, and is also known for its expertise in derivatives, debt capital markets and financial regulatory matters. The team is led by Susan Kelly, who is adept at advising both lender and borrower clients, and is continuing to develop her debt fund practice. Stuart Fitzsimmons is recommended for asset-based lending, renewable energy financing work and real estate finance transactions.
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Testimonials
‘Very professional. Things are done in a timely manner and to a high standard. They are helpful when it comes to providing advice / guidance and they understand the local Scottish market.’
‘Stuart Fitzsimmons is very knowledgeable particularly with regards to banking law and the risks / mitigants associated with this. I have been very pleased with my dealings with Stuart to date and have enjoyed working with him and feel the service provided was very good.’
Key clients
Devro plc
Sigma Capital Group plc
ING Bank NV
Santander UK
Close Leasing Limited
Atom Bank
Edrington Group
Hyundai Asset Management Co.
Rothesay Life plc
Tenaga Nasional Berhad
Ingenious Renewable Energy Enterprise Limited
KPS Capital Partners
Sigma Capital Group plc
Ingenious Renewable Energy Enterprise Limited
Alvarium RE Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Hyundai Asset Management Co. on its purchase of the NHS headquarters at Gyle Square and South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh.
- Advising KPS Capital Partners on the acquisition of the Howden Engineering Business, consisting of $950m loan facilities and bonds of $250m.
- Advising multiple Jupiter investment trusts on the £210m refinancing of each of their banking arrangements with Scotiabank.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper generates mandates from large international Scotland-headquartered banks, among other notable clients. The team is often instructed by international clients seeking to inwardly invest into Scottish assets. Its sector experience spans areas such as hospitality and leisure, care homes, energy, technology and housebuilding. Practice head David Morton is well regarded for his experience of acting for borrowers and lenders. Senior associate William Reid is also recommended. Stuart McMillan left the firm for Burges Salmon LLP.
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Testimonials
‘Practical / Commercial / Tenacious and just do what needs to be done to get the job done – often helping our customer’s solicitors along the way.’
‘David Morton is easy to work with and quickly gets a handle on any issues that need to be addressed. Always quick to respond and delivers good quality in an efficient time frame.’
Key clients
Clydesdale Bank
Lloyds Banking Group
The Royal Bank of Scotland
RBS Invoice Finance Ltd
ICICI Bank
ABN AMRO
Santander
HSBC
Vespa Capital
MAS REI
Harrison Street
Tosca Debt Capital Fund
Energy Ventures
Investec
Equitix
Aviva Investors
NORD/LB
Work highlights
- Advising RBS Invoice Finance Limited (RBSIF) as financiers in the £240m ABL facilities to Scotland-based leading plant hire business. GAP Group.
- Advising The Royal Bank of Scotland on the £25m cross‑border financing of Scotland-based leading multi-channel, time-critical logistics business, Menzies Distribution.
Anderson Strathern
Anderson Strathern acts for lenders and borrowers UK-wide and is particularly experienced in real estate finance transactions, including those connected with development, healthcare, retail and leisure. The team, which is led by Gillian Anderson, also has expertise in renewables and energy finance, corporate and structured finance, project and infrastructure finance, and charity and third sector finance. Euan Tripp and Euan Mellor both joined from Brodies LLP. In another development, Nicholas Howie made partner. Gregory Stachura is also recommended.
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Testimonials
‘The knowledge within the team is exceptional. Extremely helpful at all times and always available at the end of the phone for advice and direction. We even have our clients asking for us to engage AS to act on our behalf in transactions as the efficiency and quality is second to none.’
‘The team is able and willing to discuss the commercial and legal implications and is very responsive. It provides high quality legal advice that adds value.’
‘The team listens to what is wanted and both provides complex strategic advice and gets the transaction done.’
Key clients
Clydesdale Bank plc
RBS Group (including The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, Adam & Co, National Westminster plc, RBS Invoice Finance & Lombard)
INTU
Ineos
Buccleuch Group
Allied Irish Bank
Svenska Handelsbanken
Apex Hotels Group
Crown Estate Scotland
Hampden & Co
Adam &Co plc
Bank of Ireland
Rangers international Football Club plc/The Rangers Football Club Limited
Work highlights
- Advising The Crown Estate Scotland (CES) on the finance documentation relating to its c. £10m investment in the flagship MeyGen Phase 1A Tidal Energy Project in the Pentland Firth, including the review, drafting and negotiation of finance and other corporate documentation.
- Acted for Edinburgh Airport on the multimillion pound sale of land at Crosswind South, which completed in November 2019.
- Acted for Halo Kilmarnock Limited on purchasing a £63m brownfield urban regeneration project on a 23-acre site.
Blackwood Partners LLP
Aberdeen-based Blackwood Partners LLP specialises in private equity-related finance transactions and financing work connected with the oil and gas sector. Its team is particularly focused on sponsor and lender-side acquisition finance and is experienced in multijurisdictional cases. Practice head Scott Swankie is well regarded for his expertise in aviation finance, shipping finance and property finance.
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Key clients
Ardyne Holdings Limited
Ashtead Technology Limited
Balmoral Group
Buckthorn Partners
Centurion Group
Coretrax Technology Limited
SCF Partners
TWMA Group
Work highlights
- Acted for SCF Partners, a Houston headquartered private equity firm, in relation to the banking & finance elements of its public to private acquisition of Score Group plc, a Peterhead based, international oil service group.
- Acted for Coretrax Technology Limited in relation to the banking & finance elements of its acquisition of Churchill Drilling.
- Acted for Centurion Group, an international oil service company backed by SCF Partners, in relation to the increase of its existing banking arrangements and the addition of a further bank to its existing banking club.
Harper Macleod LLP
Harper Macleod LLP is renowned for its expertise in marine, renewables and real estate finance. The team acts for international banking clients on transactional matters, as well as training, and sectoral and geographical intelligence. The firm has a broad geographical spread with a presence in Inverness, Shetland and Elgin, as well as the Central Belt. Practice head Tony Cameron advises both lender and borrower clients on corporate banking and finance matters.
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Testimonials
Dedicated project manager who responded very quickly and very efficiently to our needs’.
‘Great team players and fitted in very well with the wider in-house team’.
‘Very knowledgeable team in their area of expertise’.
‘They are down to earth, approachable, and responded quickly to our demands’.
‘Very commercially focused, solution-driven and understanding of bigger picture’.
‘Work well across practice disciplines to ensure a joined up solution’.
‘Relationship-focused, work hard to really understand the business and tailor service to meet needs’.
‘Good depth within the team and turnaround times always exceed expectations’.
Key clients
Bank of Scotland plc/Lloyds Banking Group
Clydesdale Bank plc
Allied Irish Bank
Santander UK plc
Aberdeen Standard Investments
City Property Glasgow (Investments) LLP
Abundance Investments Limited
National Westminster Bank plc
Halfords Autocentres Limited
Morrison Community Care Group
Tenzing Private Equity
Atom Bank plc
Work highlights
- Advised City Property Glasgow (Investments) LLP on the delivery of a project involving a series of 3 complex funding transactions totalling £646m secured against a substantial portfolio of property assets located in and around Glasgow.
- Advised Aberdeen Standard Investments’ infrastructure debt team on its private debt facility of £43m to Capital Dynamics to finance Whiteside Hill Wind Farm, an operational wind farm in Dumfries & Galloway in the South West of Scotland.
- Advised ethical crowd funding platform Abundance on the launch of ILI Energy Storage plc’s campaign to raise £1.6m to fund the development of pumped hydro energy storage schemes.
MacRoberts LLP
The banking team at MacRoberts LLP excels in corporate banking, real estate finance, project finance and loan sales. The firm acts for clients based in Scotland, the UK and further afield internationally. In addition to generating work on a standalone basis, it also has a strong London referral practice. Group head Norman Martin has over 25 years of experience undertaking corporate banking and finance work, and has particular expertise in the whisky industry.
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Testimonials
‘Norman Martin and Fiona Armour make a fantastic team, they are fully client-focused and work tirelessly to provide top quality and attentive service.’
‘The team worked diligently to meet the transaction timescales set by the client, often out with typical office hours They pro-actively offered advice and guidance on how to deal with transactional issues as they arose.’
Key clients
HSBC UK Bank plc
Bank of Scotland plc
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Santander UK plc
Clydesdale Bank plc
Handelsbanken plc
Signature Private Finance Limited
CALA Group
Peel Ports Group
Postcode Lottery
Work highlights
- Advising HSBC on providing facilities to The Park Hotel Ayrshire Limited to refinance existing borrowings and for the refurbishment of the hotel property.
Morton Fraser
Morton Fraser has a strong finance practice and is notably capable in loan portfolio transactions. The firm provides specialist Scottish expertise to firms in England and Wales, and internationally. Practice head Andrew Meakin focuses on corporate debt, including distressed debt and real estate finance. John Lunn specialises in consumer finance and regulated financial products.
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Testimonials
‘Approachable, commercial and clear.’
‘Morton Fraser offer a very pragmatic approach in terms of engagement.’
‘The banking lawyers at Morton Fraser are hardworking, pragmatic and always deliver.’
‘The firm provides a high level of customer service, with clear concise advice, a flexible approach and a good overlay of commercialism. It is responsive to new requests for advice and pricing is sensible.’
Key clients
ING Bank
Deutsche Bank
Investec
Bridging VAT Limited
Danske Bank
Allied Irish Banks (both UK and Ireland)
Asset Alliance
Cadence Bank
Ogilvie Group
Work highlights
- Provided Scottish advice to a global bank group for 18 months in connection with the restructure of loan facilities of c.$3bn.
- Provided UK advice to Valneva in connection with an $85m financing.
- Advised a UK clearing bank on the impact of the Capital Requirements Regulations on the bank’s suite of Scottish security documents and on enforcement rights in the context of the CRR.
TLT
The practice at TLT has gone from strength to strength since Douglas Gourlay joined from Weightmans LLP in 2018. It focuses on debt finance transactions in the healthcare, clean energy, sustainable business, venture debt and real estate investment and development spaces. Gourlay acts for lenders and borrowers on a wide range of transactions and advisory banking matters.
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Testimonials
‘The depth of knowledge is unique among their peers and has lead to a very slick process making it a lot easier for the relationship team within the Bank.’
‘Douglas Gourlay is commercial, knowledgeable and a very good communicator.’
‘Catharine MacDonald is always available, pragmatic and dedicated with very good eye for detail.’
Key clients
AIB Group (UK) plc
Bank of Ireland
Bank of Baroda
ICICI Bank (UK) plc
Ortus Secured Finance
Santander UK plc
Punjab National Bank of India
Lloyds Banking Group
Ultimate Finance
Work highlights
- Advised AIB as senior lender and security agent on the structured refinance of a managed brand hotel at Edinburgh Airport, supported by mezzanine debt from Catalina General Insurance.
- Advised AIB on the acquisition refinance and provision of development finance for a mixed-use hotel, office and retail development at Sutton Point, London.
- Acted for Indian bank, ICICI on the provision of finance to an offshore consortium for the acquisition of a mixed use office development in Glasgow.
Gillespie Macandrew LLP
Gillespie Macandrew LLP acts as Scots law counsel on various cross-border matters. It advises large corporate clients, investment funds, SMEs, SIPPs and family businesses on property finance. In addition, it demonstrates strong capabilities in peer-to-peer lending work. Kenneth Irons, Christopher Smith and Gregor Peebles are the key names to note. Nikki Dundas joined as partner from Clyde & Co LLP.
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Key clients
Assetz SME Capital Limited
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Gresham House Forestry Limited (formerly Aitchesse Limited)
Avant Homes Group
Lindsays
Lindsays generates mandates from Scottish borrowers and lenders, and is also instructed by clients and law firms outside of Scotland. Areas of focus include real estate finance, development finance, cross-border transactions, peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding. Team head Gavin Buchan is noted for his experience of property finance.
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Testimonials
‘The team is large enough in numbers and skill set terms to cover a range of technical and legal needs’.
‘Practical guidance, and most importantly solutions, are provided which are invaluable to me as a customer and ultimately to my direct customers (who are principally in the SME market)’.
‘Most of my transactions with Lindsays have been for residential development finance and I have been able to rely on their knowledge and good guidance to deliver transactions efficiently and in a cost-effective manner’.
‘They understand my business needs and are an invaluable part of the extended team delivering great results’.
‘Excellent service from start to finish with no drop off post-engagement’.
‘Always available and willing to support’.
‘Helpful, concise and commercial’.
‘Lindsays set themselves apart from many of the Scottish offices which have merged with large London outfits in the last decade to provide a more personal service’
Key clients
Rothschild & Co Wealth Management UK Limited –
OakNorth Bank
Canada Life
Aldermore Bank
C.J. Lang & Son Limited
Close Brothers Property Finance
Clydesdale Bank plc
Assetz Capital
Shawbrook Bank Limited
Octopus Real Estate
Work highlights
- Advised Canada Life in relation to the £45.5m financing of an acquisition by a Jersey borrower of a portfolio of storage and distribution units.
- Acted for C.J. Lang & Son Limited in relation to the refinance of their corporate facilities to HSBC.
- Advising Aldermore Bank in relation to a £6m loan to a Scottish restaurant and property investment group.
Shoosmiths
Shoosmiths extended its Scottish footprint in 2019 with the opening of a new Glasgow office. Also notable is that Sheelagh Cooley, who made partner, now heads up the team. The practice is adept at handling leveraged and acquisition finance, cross-border opinions and security work, and real estate finance in a range of sectors. Fiona Cameron joined as partner from Brodies LLP.
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Testimonials
‘The Scottish Shoosmiths banking and finance team is extremely helpful and diligent’.
‘Very pragmatic and business-relevant advice given consistently’.
‘Liana Di Ciacca and Sheelagh Cooley are our go-to Scottish banking partners’.
‘A pleasure to work with, they are available as needed for high-quality, consistent, reliable advice’. ‘Helpful and approachable, offering a first-class service at a reasonable cost’.
‘Sheelagh Cooley is very knowledgeable and approachable’.
‘The team has a fully collegiate approach, you can tell they communicate well with each other on cases and that means communication with me as the client is smooth’.
‘Sheelagh Cooley provides excellent legal work and advice but with a friendly delivery and a great sense of humour’.
Key clients
Crown Street (Manchester) Limited
Sancus
Close Brothers Invoice Finance
Santander UK plc
Svenska Handelsbanken publ
Arbuthnot Specialist Finance Limited
Mount Group Student Natex Limited
PfP Capital Fund
Urbanite (Glasgow) Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised Sancus on the refinance of existing facilities of £12m.
- Advised Mount Group on the provision of facilities of £12.25m, made available by LT Land for the development of student accommodation.
- Preparation of bespoke Scottish suite of precedents including advice on the specific requirements in a Scottish security package.