Ledingham Chalmers LLP > Stirling, Scotland > Firm Profile
Ledingham Chalmers LLP Offices

SUITE A3
STIRLING AGRICULTURAL CENTRE
STIRLING
FK9 4RN
Scotland
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Ledingham Chalmers LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 2
Ledingham Chalmers LLP’s rural practice advises large agricultural family business on succession planning, sales, and transactional work. Co-head of the department Gary Webster is noted for his ‘excellent detailed knowledge’ and assists several clients across the Highlands on property transactions, whilst Aberdeen-based co-head Hazel Moir handles purchases and sales of estates and other businesses. The team, which includes Jim Drysdale, added succession planning expert JP Campbell to its partnership in Inverness as well as Emily Flett-Grant, who joined from Anderson Strathern. Elsewhere, Linda Tinson leads the Stirling office and excels in diversification projects and agricultural holdings.Practice head(s):
Hazel Moir; Linda Tinson; Gary Webster
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Hazel Moir as a Partner is an understated genius when it comes to transactions.’
‘Ledingham Chalmers LLP provide excellent attention to their clients, always responding quickly and with strong attention to detail to any specific needs.’
‘With experience and expertise across many sectors, they are able to advise on a huge range of issues, including very niche situations.’
‘Gary Webster provides a fantastic service to our companies. As a complex project, with multiple companies involved, with often quite unique situations, he has been able to tackle all scenarios we have approached him with.’
‘They have a breadth of knowledge that enables a full service offering but with depth and offering a broad skill set.’
‘They are collaborative and work well with other professionals in an inclusive way, welcoming input and considering the wider issues. They are excellent to deal with and interact in an enjoyable way and with good client outcomes.’
‘Gary Webster has excellent detailed knowledge in the fast-moving market of land, estates and agriculture.’
‘From the initial meeting we felt confident that they would look after us with empathy but at the same time give us realistic suggestions and advice. We always felt confident that they were acting on our behalf and communicated with us regularly. ‘
Key clients
Solarsanctuary/Highlands Rewilding Limited
Real estate > Commercial property: elsewhere in Scotland Tier 2
Active on commercial leasing, development, investment, licensing and property-related corporate transactions, Ledingham Chalmers LLP caters to a broad array of clients, including multiple housebuilder, energy and hospitality entities. Practice head Stephen Morrice operates from Aberdeen and is particularly skilled in relation to the leasing and disposal of land to housebuilders and renewable energy development projects.Practice head(s):
Stephen Morrice
Other key lawyers:
Alan Michie; David Scott; John Mitchell
Testimonials
‘Experienced and very competent with a practical approach. Look for solutions rather than problems.’
‘Recommended for their experience and knowledge of our company needs and requirements.’
‘We have dealt with the team at Ledingham Chalmers for a number of years and always had excellent service in a variety of aspects of commercial property law, from short term to longer term leases, several with complex conditions and terms. They have been exceptionally thorough when reviewing Heads of Terms, advising on pertinent topics and completing the contracts on our behalf in a timely manner. They are always open & friendly to communicate with and certainly make us feel that we are a valued client. The firm are keen supporters of local charities, often fundraising and supporting local charity events.’
‘David Scott has supported us with work on numerous leases. He has been diligent and timely on his review of documents. He has ensured that we have had all the pertinent information to make decisions and has offered his advice on various aspects that may have needed further explanation. David is always quick to respond to our questions when necessary. We have great trust in the firm being able to deliver what we need.’
‘The team at Ledingham Chalmers provide an excellent all round service which meets the needs of our business – they work closely with us as part of our project teams in addition to providing overarching property legal advice. They would always be our first choice in Aberdeen/Scotland.’
Key clients
Charlie House (Grampian Children’s Respite Care)
Ronnie & Fiona Moore
Magnus Beresford Limited
Streamline Shipping Agency
6DN Limited (Six Degrees North)
Harbro Limited
Nexus Property Company Limited
PB Development Company Limited
Carlton Rock Limited
Kirkwood Homes Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Kirkwood Homes Limited on the purchaser of multiple development sites worth in excess of £10m.
- Advised Streamline Shipping Agency on a significant new lease at Aberdeen Harbour allowing them to double their local fleet.
- Advised Charlie House on the lease of the site for their £8.7m respite centre in Aberdeen.
Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: elsewhere in Scotland Tier 3
Aberdeen-based Ledingham Chalmers LLP operates across a variety of industries though is predominantly active in the oil and gas sector. Practice head Peter Murray is particularly accomplished in terms of representing joint venture and high-growth companies and also undertakes a wealth of M&A transactions; his team routinely supports on international supply mandates and restructuring support matters and includes Jody Mitchell, well-versed in acquisition, disposal, equity investment and general advisory affairs.Practice head(s):
Peter Murray
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Arjowiggins Group Limited
TotalEnergies E&P (UK) Limited
Wood
Solstad Offshore
Prosafe
Storegga
OPITO
Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG)
Plexus ocean Systems Limited
Work highlights
Employment Tier 4
With the Inverness-based Kirk Tudhope heading Ledingham Chalmers LLP’s employment team, it is frequently retained by SME employers across the Highlights and Islands area but the firm also has offices in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. John Lee, accredited for employment and discrimination law, is the main contact for the latter office location. The team’s expertise is equally broadly and includes (Covid-19-related) redundancies and reorganisations, TUPE and business transfers and general HR on the non-contentious side, and grievance investigations alongside employment tribunal defence in the contentious arena.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The people are very approachable and speak on a level that’s clear and unambiguous. Billing is straightforward and clear with no complex rates or time scales.’
‘Ledingham Chalmers has a good balance between being large enough to cope with high volumes of work, but small enough to give very high levels of personal service to clients, with partner engagement being very high.’
‘Experienced people with practical solutions for business, they get to know your business in detail and always provide a considered view.’
‘Ledingham Chalmers stand out as an organisation that can provide for all your employment legal needs and requirements. They have proved themselves over the twenty years I have had the good fortune to deal with them, that they can be relied upon to support and advise on all matters of employment law.’
‘All of our relationships with representatives of Ledingham Chalmers are professional but also personable. Kirk Tudhope in particular stands out as a knowledgeable, straight to the point type of person, who has steered us successfully through many difficult scenarios.’
‘Kirk Tudhope highly experienced and completely unflappable.’
‘John Lee has taken the time to understand our needs, our culture and our specific sector demands. This has resulted in a service tailored to our particular needs.’
‘John Lee provides consistently valuable advice and guidance to clients. He is highly responsive in turning around work quickly and to a very high standard, but also very pragmatic and outcome-oriented in his approach.’
Key clients
Lifescan Scotland Limited
Eden Court Theatre
Orion Engineering (Services) Limited
Harbro Limited
John Gordon and Sons Limited
SGL Carbon Fibers Limited
Haines Watts Scotland
Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group Limited (SSMG)
Qube GB Limited
Hawco and Sons Limited
Equiom
Common Thread Group Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the charity Birchwood Highland on the dismissal of an employee and represented the client at a hearing on disputed disability status.
- Acted for Hawco & Sons Limited where an employee raised multiple claims relating to him having made a protected disclosure. The protected disclosures related to alleged serious health and safety breaches of the company.
Insurance > Personal injury: defender Tier 4
Ledingham Chalmers LLP offers clients ‘a fantastic, knowledgeable, hardworking team dedicated to delivering excellence’, and has expertise dotted across fraudulent claims, catastrophic injuries and claims against local authorities. John Chalmers in Edinburgh, accredited specialist Graeme Edward in Aberdeen and Victoria Leslie in Inverness jointly manage the group. Sarah Morris has a specialism in dealing with stress-related issues at work.Practice head(s):
John Chalmers; Graeme Edward; Victoria Leslie
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Fantastic, knowledgeable, hard working team dedicated to delivering excellence.
‘Sarah Morris is the lead partner – Sarah is a very experienced and able solicitor. She’s been working for various local authorities as clients for several years now and has excellent instincts for which cases should be settled and which should be fought. She’s very well prepared and organised and doing cases for her is always a pleasure.’
‘They have impressed and surpassed all expectations.’
‘They have a real breadth and depth of knowledge and have acted as a successful counsel in tricky litigated situations.’
‘Billing is clear and easy to follow, never had any concerns on that point. We work well together and long may we continue to do so.’
‘Sarah Morris gives it her all with comprehensive and detailed advice, drilling down into every detail – she misses nothing out. Sarah is first on my list with new instructions.’
‘Sarah Morris is more than a safe pair of hands, I would say an exemplary custodian. I feel she is approachable, patient and extremely knowledgeable. Her advice and guidance has been invaluable in the defence of some very high-value litigation. She is a straight shooter and the one you want in your corner. I will continue with instructions to Sarah without hesitation.’
‘Graeme Edward is exceptional, a stand out in the Scottish market.’
Key clients
Direct Line
Gallagher Bassett
Zenith Insurance
Tradex Insurance
Markerstudy Insurance
North Lanarkshire Council
Zurich Insurance
Highland Council
East Lothian Council
Work highlights
- Advising insurer on the defence of a claim following an accident rendering the pursuer paraplegic.
- Advising Local Authority on the defence of a mesothelioma case following exposure in the 1970’s.
- Advised insurer in connection with high value proceedings issued following a road traffic accident where a pedestrian sustained life changing brain and spinal injuries.
Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 1
Ledingham Chalmers LLP > Firm Profile
Ledingham Chalmers LLP is a Scottish law firm with offices in Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh and Stirling.
The firm: Ledingham Chalmers has played an important role in the Scottish legal scene for many years. With its origins in North East Scotland, it is not surprising that the firm’s development has followed Aberdeen’s emergence as the capital of the European oil and gas exploration and production sector, and as a centre of excellence for professional services.
Key features of the firm are its emphasis on long-term client relationships and a high level of partner delivery. While other firms have abandoned the full-service model, Ledingham Chalmers continues to match its broad offering to the changing requirements of its client base. This has involved a renewed commitment to rural and agricultural law, family law and private client services alongside its strong offering to the business, insurance and public sectors.
Ledingham Chalmers has a strong focus on the business sectors that drive the Scottish regional economy, such as agriculture/food/fisheries, energy (both oil and gas and renewables), construction, leisure and tourism, and education. The firm has an international outlook that reflects its involvement in the international energy sector.
The firm houses a team of experts in advising insurance companies, local authorities and other public bodies on a wide range of issues including employer liability, public liability, disease, property damage and motor claims, with particular expertise in fraudulent, catastrophic injury and fatal claims.
The firm is the Scottish member of Lawyers Associated Worldwide, a network that has members in over 100 jurisdictions and major commercial centres. Additional international exposure comes through client work in the oil and gas and oil services sectors.
Types of work undertaken: The firm’s commitment to providing a broad service has not been made at the expense of specialisation. Ledingham Chalmers recognises that clients across the length and breadth of the country, and internationally, have increasingly sophisticated requirements for specialist skills. The firm has accredited specialists in several areas, including agriculture, construction, personal injury, family law and employment law, as well as four solicitor advocates.
The areas in which Ledingham Chalmers has particular skills and expertise include: agriculture and rural affairs; banking and finance; commercial contracts; commercial property and construction; companies and partnerships; dispute resolution and litigation; employment; energy; family law; health and safety; intellectual property; insolvency; planning and environmental; private client services; public sector procurement; and residential property.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Managing partner | Jennifer Young | ||
Chief operating officer | Chris Mackenzie |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Jim Drysdale | Partner in rural unit specialising in all aspects of agricultural and rural… | View Profile |
![]() | Linda Tinson | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 28 Number of other UK fee-earners : 69- Private client > Agriculture and estates
- Real estate > Commercial property: elsewhere in Scotland
Firm Rankings
- Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery