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Philippa Abernethy

Philippa Abernethy

Philippa is an Associate in our Family Law team based in Glasgow. Philippa can assist with a wide range of family law matters and now focuses on family disputes. She has wide-ranging litigation experience in respect of care arrangements for children, divorce, cohabitation and relocation within Sheriff Courts across Scotland. Philippa prides herself on her ability to provide pragmatic and empathetic advice to clients. Philippa graduated from the University of Glasgow with her LLB (Hons) in 2017 and continued to complete her Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in 2018. Philippa completed her traineeship at Lindsays, qualifying in September 2020.
Dawn Anderson

Dawn Anderson

Dawn has over 20 years’ experience in the sector with her main expertise being in retail and property and acting for both landlords and tenants in relation to property investment and development. She has also worked in other sectors such as office and industrial, student accommodation, hotel and leisure and licensed premises. Dawn has considerable experience in the renewable energy field acting for both landlords and tenants in relation to windfarms and run of river hydro projects. She has acted for volume housebuilders in relation to strategic land acquisition and site assembly, acquisition of access and other servitude rights and preparation or disposal after build out. Her experience includes carrying out many corporate support roles where M&A and share purchase and sale transactions have a property aspect to them.
David Armstrong

David Armstrong

David is a Partner and head of our Personal Injury team. He has a wealth of experience in litigation and specialises in commercial disputes, libel law, reparation and health and safety legislation. David is a solicitor advocate and deals with high value and difficult cases in both the Sheriff Court and Court of Session in Scotland. He is praised by clients for being a rational litigator and experienced in dealing with a wide variety of disputes with one source commenting that he "knows his stuff and has fantastic insights" into the industry. To find out more about our personal injury services, visit Calio Claims, our dedicated online personal injury website.
John Bett

John Bett

John is a Partner and heads up our Scotland wide, Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. He has over 20 years’ experience in a wide variety of disputes matters, with particular expertise in commercial litigation and property litigation. John also leads our specialist Debt Recovery unit, providing clients with an economic and efficient debt recovery service. John's practice regularly sees him instructed in director & shareholder disputes, contract disputes and cases of corporate fraud. He also acts for landlords and tenants in all manner of property disputes, including dilapidation claims and contentious lease extensions or terminations. John’s clients include property managers & developers, retailers, manufacturers, football clubs, professional services firms and insolvency practitioners. John also works closely with law firms elsewhere in the UK and beyond, supporting their clients in disputes within the jurisdiction. John has a reputation for a practical, commercial approach to resolving disputes, backed up by thorough preparation when required. That prompted positive comment in Civil Practice (W. Green) in which the defender in a significant commercial action was described as being ‘trapped by diligent case preparation’ in proceedings in which John acted for the pursuer. In 2025, John was elected Dean of the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow.  He chairs its Audit and Court Committees.   Highlights Instructed by Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers in an action served on them and the SPFL by Heart of Midlothian and Partick Thistle.  The claim commenced at the Court of Session (See Note by Lord Clark, July 2020), before moving to arbitration. The arbitration was confidential, but the tribunal allowed it to be reported that they unanimously ‘refused to grant any of the orders sought by Heart of Midlothian FC and Partick Thistle FC’. The successful outcome for John’s clients meant that they had each secured their respective promotions for the season 2020-2021. Instructed by the successful tenant in the widely reported, high value dilapidations claim Dem-Master Demolition Limited –v- Healthcare Environmental Services Limited, litigated at the Commercial Court of the Court of Session. Acting for the successful pursuer in a breach of directors’ duties/ recovery of secret profit action McGivney Construction Limited –v- Jozef Kaminski & Glen Maree Contracts Limited. The seven-figure claim extended to include ‘springboard’ profits and involved cross-border applications for the recovery of documentation. Advising on a major fraud claim brought at the Court of Session in respect of the actions of a client’s former employee.
Ernie Boath

Ernie Boath

Ernie is a Partner in the Private Client team in our Dundee office. Ernie advises clients on Wills, Powers of Attorney, Intervention and Guardianship Orders, inheritance planning and executries. He has been appointed Guardian for a number of incapable adults and administers a number of private and charitable trusts. Ernie was for nearly 20 years Secretary of the Angus Committee of Tayside Valuation Appeal Panel and was separately appointed a part-time occasional Sheriff Clerk in Forfar. He has also taught on the Private Client course in the University of Dundee Post Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
Gavin Buchan

Gavin Buchan

Gavin heads up the Banking team at Lindsays and is based in Edinburgh. He advises both lenders and borrowers in relation to a wide range of transactions involving mainstream lenders, financial institutions, challenger banks, peer-to-peer lenders and alternative sources of finance. Having initially qualified as a commercial property lawyer, he has a particular specialism in all aspects of property finance work with considerable knowledge of both investment and development finance transactions. He regularly provides Scots law advice in relation to a variety of cross border, multi-jurisdictional deals.   Highlights Acted for OakNorth Bank plc in relation to a £42M cross border refinance of a portfolio of 161 public houses. Acting for Maslow Capital in relation to a £18.9M development finance facility for a student accommodation development in Glasgow. Represented a financial institution lending £36M under a syndicated facility to fund the purchase of a portfolio of storage and distribution units, the bulk of which were located in Scotland. Acted for a UK challenger bank providing a £5M syndicated bridging facility to finance the purchase of sites in Glasgow. Advising a borrower in relation to a £8.2M development finance facility to fund the development of its land for residential and care home purposes. Advising a property finance lender in relation to a £23M facility to refinance a portfolio of commercial properties across the UK.
Jonathan Cornwell

Jonathan Cornwell

Jonathan is a partner in the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence team at Lindsays. He is a Solicitor Advocate with over 20 years’ experience both pursuing and defending claims in the Sheriff Courts and the Court of Session. Jonathan has acted as Legal Representative on behalf of a number of Core Participants in high profile Public Inquiries. He provides his clients with expert advice and representation in this specialist area of practice. Having represented a wide range of major insurance clients in high value and complex litigation matters, Jonathan understands what is required to progress a matter efficiently and effectively. By clearly identifying his client’s needs he can apply both law and procedure to maximise their interests. Jonathan has litigated intricate and high-value cases on behalf of his insurance clients. He has extensive experience in personal injury claims and is noted by clients as being ‘compassionate, understanding and attentive at all times’. To find out more about our personal injury services, visit Calio Claims, our dedicated online personal injury website.
Lewis Crofts

Lewis Crofts

Lewis is a Director in our Rural - Land and Business team based in Edinburgh. He has a wide-ranging practice involving all aspect of rural property. Initially focused on renewable wind and hydro projects for developers and estates respectively, he has expanded his expertise to include a variety of areas. He has completed numerous complex sales and acquisitions of rural properties ranging from crofting properties, large farming operations, castles and estates. In addition to these he has also acted in several high value forestry transactions. Recently he has advised on numerous battery storage and solar projects and has experience acting for landowners on telecommunication mast sites, as well as advising on aspects of agricultural tenancies. He also provides property advice and complete multiple Compulsory Purchase Orders for statutory bodies on infrastructure projects.  
Ben Doherty

Ben Doherty

Ben is a Partner, based in our Glasgow office, and heads up our Employment Law team. He has specialised in employment law for over 10 years' and during that time has built up considerable experience in advising employers in respect of a broad range of employment law matters. Ben has represented employer clients from a range of sectors, including charities, healthcare providers, construction companies and service providers in Employment Tribunals across the UK and has experience of defending unfair dismissal, equal pay and the entire range of discrimination claims. Ben has also considerable experience of advising clients in respect of the application and effect of the TUPE regulations. He regularly acts for customers and service providers in respect of large scale outsourcing contracts and ensures that his client’s risk in such arrangements is mitigated by the inclusion of suitable indemnities and warranties. Ben also provides day to day employment law and HR strategy advice to clients in respect of disciplinary and grievance matters, redundancies and restructurings, changes to terms and conditions of employment and equal opportunity issues. Ben is recognised by the Chambers and Partners directory as a “leading individual” who note that Ben’s clients praise his ability to provide “advice of the highest level” and for converting “commercial aspects into legal solutions”. Ben is also a Non-Executive member of the Lindsays management board and is involved in the Firm’s on-going management and strategic matters.   Highlights Acting for a service provider in respect of 180 equal pay claims Advising several large charity clients in respect of disputes between their board and CEO's Representing an employer in respect of claims brought under the discrimination of the grounds of religion or belief regulations Representing numerous clients in respect of Unfair Dismissal claims Acting for the service provider in respect of a TUPE transfer involving circa 9,000 employees Co-authored the UK chapter of the Kluwers Guide to Redundancy Law in Europe
Alistair Duncan

Alistair Duncan

Alistair is a Partner in our Commercial Property team and works from our Dundee and Perth offices. He advises on a wide range of property matters, including commercial sales and purchases; developments; commercial leases and bank securities. As well as acting for developers, Alistair has experience advising farmers and others owning rural property in relation to sales for development. Alistair also has experience in renewable energy projects advising both landowners and developers on option agreements and leases relating to wind and solar projects, battery storage and small-scale hydro schemes.
Caroline Fraser

Caroline Fraser

Caroline is a Partner in our Private Client team in Dundee. She is also the Head of the Dundee office. Caroline advises individuals and families on a broad range of personal affairs such as the creation and revision of Wills, Powers of Attorney, elderly client advice and the administration of executries, including contentious estates and post-death planning. Caroline has a particular interest in Trust Law and regularly advises clients on the formation, variation and termination of private and charitable trusts and associated taxation matters. Caroline also has a keen interest in succession planning and has considerable experience in advising clients on inheritance tax and general estate planning, often working closely with other financial and taxation professionals. She thrives on helping her clients with life planning for the benefit of themselves and their families, always taking into account their individual and unique needs.   Highlights Notary Public Winner of a STEP Excellence Award Awarded a Distinction level STEP Diploma
Adam Gardiner

Adam Gardiner

Adam Gardiner is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution team based in Edinburgh. He is available to assist with disputes involving individuals and businesses. Adam has experience in acting for both pursuers and defenders in a wide range of cases and he frequently acts in the Sheriff Court and Court of Session. He has experience in many areas including commercial litigation, debt recovery, boundary disputes and access disputes, commercial leases and irritancy, professional negligence, title conditions, executry disputes, ownership disputes and actions for division and sale and guardianship applications or other applications in terms of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. He also has significant experience with private residential tenancies. He advises landlords, tenants and letting agents regularly. This includes appearing frequently at the First-tier Tribunal in relation to eviction applications and civil applications. Adam is always willing to focus on resolving disputes effectively without court action. He has assisted with a number of mediation and arbitration cases.   Highlights Appearing in the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) to successfully pursue the first eviction order for Private Residential Tenancies based on the ground the landlord intends to renovate the property. Representing clients in mediation sessions regarding property disputes and complex Court of Session cases. Successfully opposing an application to the Lands Tribunal for Scotland for variation of a route of access which would significantly restrict the client’s ability to access their property. Appearing at urgent interim interdict hearings in the Sheriff Court to ensure clients’ property is safe from being damaged by their neighbours.  
Alastair Goodman

Alastair Goodman

Alastair has over 20 years’ experience advising on a wide range of Commercial Property matters. He has built up particular expertise in relation to landlord and tenant issues where he acts for major landlords with multiple units within industrial or commercial estates, and retailers looking to change, develop or expand their unit portfolio. Alastair has worked with a number of property developers, dealing with substantial projects including residential sites and student accommodation developments. He also assists property investors with single and portfolio purchases. Alastair’s client base includes a number of nursing home operators where he acts in relation to all their commercial property needs. Most recently he has been involved in various renewable energy projects, acting for both landowners and developers.   Highlights Acted for a supermarket operator in the acquisition of large developments across Scotland ranging in value from £5 million to £25 million. Acted for a developer of student accommodation with a development value in the region of £12 million. Sold a number of shopping centres throughout Scotland with values in the region of £110 million. Involved in the refinancing of a 78 unit development with a UK-wide value of £23 million. Acted for a landowner in relation to one of the biggest wind farm developments in Scotland.
Leanne Gordon

Leanne Gordon

Leanne is a Partner and Head of our Rural-Land & Business team based in Edinburgh. She has acted on behalf of land owners, individuals and businesses on a variety of matters including the sale and purchase of rural property. Leanne has experience of advising clients in relation to the management of farms and estate, minerals and forestry and acting on behalf of banks to take security over agricultural land and forestry. Leanne has developed particular expertise in crofting law advising both landowners and crofters.
Daniel Gorry

Daniel Gorry

Daniel is a Partner within our Employment team based in our Glasgow office. Daniel has 16 years of legal experience and advises employers and individuals on a wide range of employment matters. Daniel has represented employer clients from a range of sectors,  including advising on complex company restructures, as well as developing an in-depth knowledge of the education and leisure sectors. Daniel has experience of bringing and defending employment tribunal claims, involving issues including disability status, sex discrimination and TUPE regulations.
Kenny Gray

Kenny Gray

Kenny has considerable experience in commercial property work, advising clients on the acquisition, disposal, development and funding of all types of commercial property – from office, leisure and retail investment, to development site acquisition, secured lending and commercial property leasing and management. He deals extensively with the sale and purchase of businesses, most frequently in the healthcare sector (recently transactions including numerous dental and pharmacy sales and acquisitions and nursing home financing) and in the licenced trade (hotel, restaurant and guesthouse acquisitions and sales). Kenny's other areas of interest and expertise are in banking/property finance (acting for various lenders and borrowers) and in the charity/social investment sector.   Highlights Specialising in property investment and business sales and purchases Sale of dental practices in Stirling, Edinburgh, Roslin, Bannockburn, Kinghorn and Leven in recent months Purchase and sale of various pharmacies throughout Scotland Acquisition of The Counting House in Glasgow Development of Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine Edinburgh Bioquarter Acting on behalf of the purchaser of a property portfolio in the negotiation of a £25 million loan facility from a major Scottish bank His clients include two active property investment groups, a national restaurant chain, a number of national charities, and various smaller/medium-sized companies and organisations with wide ranging property interests and needs
Brent Haywood

Brent Haywood

Brent brings a wealth of experience and insight into any situation. A Solicitor Advocate since 2002, he holds a Masters in Mediation and Conflict Resolution and is an accredited mediator. Consistently recognised in legal directories since the late '90s, Brent's knowledge covers both commercial and regulatory disputes, ranging from contractual and company matters, to intellectual property, pensions, procurement challenges and human rights. Brent is passionate about navigating disputes to their best outcome, whether that is before a judge, an arbitrator, a mediator, or better still, by sorting it out through some straightforward talking.   Highlights Brent was featured in the Times newspaper in April 2021 as Scottish lawyer of the week following a judicial review for 27 church leaders who successfully challenged the Scottish Government's unlawful blanket ban on public worship Achieving a successful settlement with City of Edinburgh Council who, on the eve of trial, apologised and agreed to pay damages for discriminating against a religious group and infringing its human rights by unlawfully cancelling arrangements for a conference at the Usher Hall. Acting for David King, Rangers FC Chairman, in the Takeover Panel's litigation to pursue enforcement of the City Code under the Companies Act Representing the British Boxing Board of Control in a recent Fatal Accident Inquiry Representing an anchor tenant’s interest in a seven figure dispute with the Landlord of one of Scotland’s largest Shopping Centers Successfully pursuing the Scheme Actuary in a professional negligence matter on behalf of the trustees of a Pension Scheme Experienced in the Crown’s Self Reporting regime in respect of anti-bribery matters Recovering US generated spring board profits through the Scottish courts for a global agrochemical client whose patent was infringed in the UKRecovering confidential information via ‘Dawn Raids’ after obtaining orders from the Scottish courts Taking equality discrimination cases against the Student Unions of Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities Brent regularly comments in various press both with guidance on existing legal issues as well as expert opinion regarding new and developing legislation - recent Scotsman articles include Now is the time for us to streamline a justice system that’s too expensive and Non-execs must open their eyes to insolvency risks; and an article published on commentary and analysis website, Reaction, draws heavily on Brent’s concerns about Scotland’s new hate crime bill
Nicholas Howie

Nicholas Howie

Nicholas has 18 years’ experience which encompasses a wide range of corporate and commercial legal issues, including purchases and sales of shares and businesses, shareholder disputes, management buy-outs, shareholders' agreements and corporate restructuring. He has worked with business types from start-up enterprises to the management teams of large, well-established privately-owned companies operating across a range of sectors. Nicholas' legal expertise is underpinned by a practical corporate background, having worked for the commercial arm of a construction firm and in management roles for an international supermarket before studying law.
Kathrine Irvine

Kathrine Irvine

Katherine is an Associate based at our Edinburgh office within the Employment Law team. She also works in our Glasgow and Dundee offices. Since 2009 she has focused on specialising in Employment Law and provides advice relating to contentious and non-contentious employment law matters throughout the public and private sector, and charities. This involves advice on Employment Law matters for the duration of an employment relationship, from recruitment through to termination of employment and beyond. Katherine has worked with employer and employee clients throughout various sectors of industry including charities, hospitality, leisure, health and social care. She has regularly attended at Employment Tribunals throughout Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales in a variety of claims for both claimants and respondents, so can readily identify the issues from both an employee and employer perspective. Katherine has a wealth of both advisory and advocacy experience. Areas of advice and representation in the Employment Tribunal include general disciplinary and grievance matters, dismissals, redundancies and re-structuring, TUPE transfers including business purchases/sales, outsourcing work and bringing that in-house, equal treatment/discrimination issues, public interest disclosures (“whistleblowing”), employment contracts and policies/procedures, contractual (post termination) restrictions, settlement agreements and negotiations during periods of pre-litigation ACAS Early Conciliation.   Highlights Acting for an employee in an unfair dismissal, disability discrimination and discrimination by association claim against her former employers Representing numerous claimant clients in respect of Discrimination, Unfair Dismissal and wages claims Acting for the transferor in respect of a TUPE transfer where the pool of transferring employees was in dispute Representing a Respondent in a Whilstleblowing claim within the construction industry Representing an employee in relation to whistleblowing claims in the medical research industry in relation to the inadequate levels of life saving drugs provided to the nurse on site, in the event of a medical contamination emergency within the facility
Grant Johnson

Grant Johnson

Grant is an experienced Private Client Partner who joined Lindsays in 2015 and is head of the firms Private Client team. He specialises in advising a wide range of individuals, families in relation to Wills, Trusts, Executries, inheritance tax planning, and issues affecting elderly clients such as Powers of Attorney and Guardianships. Grant is also experienced in advising charitable organisations and individuals regarding regulatory requirements. He acts in the setting up and on-going administration of a number of charitable and non-charitable Trusts.   Highlights Grant enjoyed a secondment with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and is experienced in advising on application submissions to OSCR.  
Lynsey Kerr

Lynsey Kerr

Lynsey is a Partner within our Private Client team based in the Edinburgh office. She advises Executors and beneficiaries in the administration of estates, drafts Wills and Powers of Attorney and advises Attorneys on their responsibilities and duties. She also creates and administers Trusts and provides inheritance tax planning advice. Lynsey has a keen interest in the Third Sector and is involved with the establishment, reorganisation and winding up of Charitable Trusts. She is part of the Firm’s Third Sector team. Lynsey is a Governor of St Columba’s Hospice which offers palliative care and support to patients and families. She has previously been a Trustee of LifeCare, an Edinburgh based charity providing a flexible range of care, support, community services and social activities for older people. Lynsey is also a Trustee of Ponton House Trust which is a grant making body providing support to vulnerable and disadvantaged children locally. Lynsey is a member of the Society of Writers to Her Majesty’s Signet and sits on the WS Council.   Highlights Notary Public Winner of a STEP Excellence Award Awarded a Distinction level STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates
Helen Kidd

Helen Kidd

Helen is a Partner and heads up our Charities and Third Sector team in Edinburgh. Ranked in Chambers UK Legal Guide and accredited as a specialist in charity law by Law Society of Scotland, Helen has spent over ten years specialising in charity and third sector legal issues. Helen’s experience includes setting up, merging, winding up charities; advising on governance, charity tax, and trading activities; advising grant giving charities; trustee training and dealing with a wide range of regulatory matters such as OSCR, HMRC, the Care Inspectorate and the Financial Conduct Authority related issues.  In addition to fundraising, donations, trusts and endowments, using her private client experience, Helen advises on lifetime philanthropy and legacies/bequests. As well as advising charities Helen has also been a trustee herself, with experience on the board of a national community-based youth work organisation and also as a governor of an independent school.   Highlights Advising on governance and regulatory aspects of the reorganisation of a group of dual registered grant giving trusts Advising a large multi-regulated care home charity on a group restructure Establishment of a human rights law centre Helping philanthropic individuals to realise their charitable aims and ambitions Advising English charities and their solicitors on Scottish charity law
Sandy Lamb

Sandy Lamb

Sandy is a Partner in the Private Client team in Glasgow. He is highly recommended as a leading lawyer in Chambers High Net Worth (an independent research guide that ranks and recognises lawyers providing professional services for high net worth individuals) Sandy helps clients plan for the future, providing advice on Wills and tax planning, and has wide experience of advising executors and beneficiaries in the administration of Executry Estates, and of the establishment, administration and winding up of Trusts, for various purposes. He also advises on the granting and drafting of Powers of Attorney, and provides guidance to Attorneys in the exercising of their duties.
Darren Lightfoot

Darren Lightfoot

Darren is a Partner in our Commercial Property team based in Edinburgh. He acts for commercial landlords and tenants, primarily in the retail, leisure, industrial and office sectors, and aids in the acquisition of land for housing development and in subsequent site set up. He works with various individuals and business clients seeking to dispose of land or acquire it for investment and development purposes and is also experienced in refinance and corporate support work. Darren also has extensive experience in general portfolio management so can provide advice and assessment on most aspects of general property law.
Gregor MacEwan

Gregor MacEwan

Since qualifying in 2011, Gregor has practiced in litigation working in a diverse range of areas, including commercial, contract and property disputes as well as Telecoms Code disputes, interdicts and judicial reviews. Gregor enjoys dealing with difficult cases and finding practical ways to resolve complex legal problems.   Highlights Involvement in very high profile football related litigation and arbitration. Involvement in numerous telecommunications disputes including procuring the removal of telecoms equipment from several prominent sites in Edinburgh city centre and Land Tribunal cases determining land value and sharing rights under the new Telecoms Code. Advising landlords and tenants on both high and low value dilapidations and other commercial lease disputes. Advising landowners in litigation about the adoption of roads by local authorities and the interaction of roads adoption with telecoms and other streetworks legislation. Advising landowners on recovery of damages following a major fuel spill. Litigating a contract dispute over an old master painting. Pursuing and defending cases involving the calling up of standard securities and recovery of secured debts. Pursuing and defending claims concerning breaches of missives for the sale of property. Disputes over termination of commercial leases and recovery of possession of commercial premises. Pursuing and defending claims for breach of contracts for the sale of goods, including consumer and non-consumer cases. Interdict cases including suspending charges for payment and prevention of diligence. Restoration of dissolved companies and recovery of assets of companies that cannot be restored. Disputes over servitudes, title conditions, boundaries and common repairs.
Clare McCarroll

Clare McCarroll

Previously the head of the executry department in a long established Edinburgh firm, Clare is now a Partner in our Private Client team. She has experience in advising a broad spectrum of clients in the preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorney and she specialises in all aspects of winding up executry estates. Clare also has experience in conveyancing and has a particular interest in executry conveyancing and the crossover between succession and property law.   Highlights Successfully establishing a Canadian domicile for a deceased client resident in Scotland resulting in agreement from HMRC that no inheritance tax was due from the estate. Putting in place a chain of three Grants of Confirmation to allow a client to sell property stuck in the name of a long deceased family member. Assisting clients based in Mauritius, New Zealand and Australia access assets held in Scotland. Tracing closest living relative of a reclusive deceased who had died without a Will. Establishing family tree and identifying those people entitled to the estate.
Alison McKee

Alison McKee

Alison McKee heads Lindsays’ award-winning Family Law team. She is accredited by The Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in both Family Law and Child Law. Alison has over 20 years of experience and has worked exclusively in the areas of family and child law for the past 15 years. Alison has extensive experience of all aspects of family law, including the financial provision on divorce, pre and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, child law, international child abduction and surrogacy. Alison also has significant advocacy experience, including conducting all stages of Sheriff Court actions as well as being regularly instructed in relation to Court of Session matters. Whilst trained in litigation, Alison is also trained in collaborative law. Alison is on the panel of Reporting Officers Curator ad Litems for Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Samantha Miller

Samantha Miller

Samantha is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution and Litigation team and is based in Glasgow. She joined Lindsays in 2018 as a trainee and over the past six years has gained practical and in-depth experience litigating on behalf of clients. Samantha has acted for private individuals and companies providing advice in a diverse range of legal matters, including but not limited to; commercial disputes, contractual disputes, debt recovery and enforcement (including the recovery of rent arrears), and residential property disputes. She has experience acting for both pursuers and defenders in these areas and regularly appears in the Sheriff Court. Samantha has developed experience in relation to Will and executry disputes as well as Guardianships. She has advised private individuals in relation to executor disputes, professional negligence claims, proving the tenor of a lost Will actions, legal rights claims, recovering debt from a deceased’s estate, Wills challenges and reducing Confirmation. She is also a Notary Public. The client-centred approach taken by Samantha along with her attention to detail ensures that her advice is tailored to each of her clients and their particular needs and circumstances. Samantha's pragmatism and consideration of the practical and economic aspects of litigation also ensures that her clients are made aware of any unnecessary or disproportionate expense in pursuance of their claims so that they may avoid the same.
Ian Mitchell

Ian Mitchell

Ian has 20 years’ experience in advising on corporate and commercial contract work. He has advised a wide range of businesses including large corporates, owner-managed businesses, investors and companies raising investment, public sector bodies, funders and charities. Ian is experienced in advising businesses on the full range of corporate activities over the life of a business from choice of vehicle on start up through equity and debt fundraisings, corporate governance, share and asset purchases and disposals, joint ventures, restructurings and company wind down. Ian has particular experience in relation to private equity investment and acted for the Scottish Investment Bank for 10 years advising on its investments into tech, life sciences and renewable energy businesses in Scotland including a period as a secondee investment manager.   Highlights Acting for the existing shareholders of a Scottish recruitment group in an MBO of the business. Acting for the owner of a large site in a contract for the dismantling and sale of infrastructure assets. Acting for an investor in a significant investment into a Scotch whisky distillery. Advising an investor on the sale of their debt and equity interests in a Canadian company.
Derek Nash

Derek Nash

Derek is a Partner and Head of our Commercial Property Team. Derek advises on a wide range of property transactions including acquisitions, disposals, development, commercial leasing and investment deals. His client base includes developers, lenders, corporate occupiers, retailers, investors and charities and is engaged in sectors as diverse as office investments, serviced apartments, logistics and warehousing, development land and children's nurseries. His clients include EG Group, Steer Automotive, Brake Bros, RNIB, Well Pharmacies and RRH. He is well respected within the Scottish property sector and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to every transaction.   Highlights Derek leads the firm’s relationship with Scottish Action for Mental Health. He represented a private trust in a significant investment deal. This private family trust was a new client win for Lindsays and it acquired, for around £14m, a retail warehouse investment (held on a long lease) in Edinburgh let to Tesco Stores Limited. Derek has acted for RRH in several acquisitions of prime Edinburgh assets. He acted in the investment sale at a multi-let office investment in central Glasgow. The deal successfully completed in a two week period from start to finish. Derek is recognised by Chambers and Partners: A Client's Guide to UK Solicitors 2024 as a notable practitioner.
Lauren Pasi

Lauren Pasi

Lauren is a Partner in our Personal Injury team. She is experienced in litigating on behalf of pursuers on a wide range of cases, including road traffic accidents, accidents in the workplace, public and occupier liability cases and medical negligence. Lauren deals with actions raised in the Sheriff Court and Court of Session and regularly appears in the Sheriff Court. To find out more about our personal injury services, visit Calio Claims, our dedicated online personal injury website.
Brian Pollock

Brian Pollock

Brian is a Director based in our Glasgow office and is part of the Dispute Resolution and Litigation team. With over 9 years’ experience representing clients in Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland, he brings considerable expertise to the team. His caseload is diverse with a focus on high-value and complex disputes across a range of practice areas, including: commercial property disputes, debt recovery and enforcement, insolvency, contentious construction, professional negligence, actions for interdict, inter-company/ partnership disputes, defamation and reputation management. Through Brian’s commercial practice, he regularly represents clients across a variety of sectors, including: commercial landlords/ tenants, property developers, SMEs, charities, private schools, insolvency practitioners and other professionals, as well as private individuals. Brian takes a hands-on approach with an emphasis on delivering robust and pragmatic advice in order to achieve practical solutions for clients in a range of disputes, both in and out of court.   Highlights 12 successful appeals by summary application under Section 129 of The Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 against demolition orders at the instance of Inverclyde Council in connection with a major housing estate in Port Glasgow. Acting in several actions in the Commercial Court of the Court of Session, including, commercial disputes valued in excess of £1 million and resulting in notable published decisions (e.g. see the widely reported Dem-Master Demolition Limited –v- Healthcare Environmental Services Limited [2017] CSOH 14). Representing clients in adjudication and arbitration proceedings, including, successfully defending a 6 figure claim under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and subsequently obtaining summary decree in subsequent proceedings in the Sheriff Court to recover the Adjudicator’s costs. Successfully obtaining interim interdict for commercial clients in multiple actions in the Sheriff Court, including 3 separate actions involving disgruntled former employees and unlawful use of specialist equipment in the waste management sector. Acting in high-value dilapidations actions, including acting for a leading multinational technology company. Providing legal opinions, in complex disputes concerning the validity of notices in commercial leases, servitudes, breaches/ enforcement of missives, recovering bona vacantia property, defamation, etc. First successful appeal against an order under the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013. Conducting a successful appeal resulting in a published decision in the Sheriff Appeal Court.
Kirsty Preston

Kirsty Preston

Kirsty is a Partner in our Private Client team, based in Dundee. She deals with a wide variety of Private Client matters, including the administration of executries and trusts, and the drafting of Wills and Powers of Attorney.  Kirsty also regularly advises on succession planning, Inheritance Tax and trusts used for asset protection. Kirsty has been a part of the Lindsays team since 2018, previously working in both Glasgow and St Andrews. She studied at Dundee University for both the Scots Law LLB and the Diploma in Legal Practice and latterly has been a Tutor on the Diploma, teaching future solicitors on the Private Client module. Kirsty has completed the professional examinations required for STEP membership and obtained a Distinction pass for the Diploma.
David Rose

David Rose

David Rose is a Partner in our Commercial Property team based in Dundee. David’s expertise includes advising businesses in various sectors on site acquisitions, commercial development, landlord and tenant matters, renewable energy projects, property finance and investment. He is well known within the Scottish property community and has substantial experience in and knowledge of the market in North East Scotland in particular, leading the Aberdeen real estate team of a UK firm prior to joining Lindsays.
Alastair Smith

Alastair Smith

Alastair is a Partner within the Corporate and Commercial team. He advises clients in relation to investments, data protection, commercial contracts, technology and intellectual property matters. Alastair focuses particular attention on private equity and venture capital investment deals for technology, healthcare and software companies He regularly is involved in drafting shareholder/investment agreements, share option agreements (including Enterprise Management Incentive and Company Share Option Plan options), articles and ancillary documentation. He has a real passion for assisting in contracts relating to novel technology, software development and video game/interactive media enterprises. In addition, he continues to provide specific advice to the firm’s higher education clients in relation to IP/IT matters, data protection, mergers / joint-ventures, research contracts, commercial contracts and procurement projects.   Highlights Advising in connection with video game/ interactive entertainment/ digital and creative enterprises from start-up to publication / commercialisation. Alastair has, in particular, first hand experience in the growth of a now large Edinburgh based studio (from incorporation to several hundred employees based across several countries). He and the Lindsays’ team assisted in everything from corporate governance, data protection, IP licences, co-development agreements, option plans and investment requirements. He has further assisted niche and early stage video game / software enterprises in the Scottish hubs of Dundee and Edinburgh given his in-depth knowledge of the market developed over the years. Alastair has provided business/legal mentorship to the teams competing at the Dare Academy programme at the University of Abertay. This is a specialist programme helping the next generation of video gaming talent hone their skills and knowledge. Advising in numerous venture capital/investment deals in relation to start-up and growing high-technology companies acting for either the investors or investee company. These relates to sectors including digital technology and applications, software development, medical devices and drug discovery. This includes investment rounds in which Scottish Enterprise have provide matched funding (investments ranging in value from £200k-£22m) Advising in connection with the multi-million pound purchase of the MESL Microwave group of companies by our client Com Dev International Limited. Involved in coordinating extensive due diligence report, negotiating the share purchase arrangements and various post-completion reorganisation requirements. Advising the shareholders of Vitrology Limited (biopharmaceutical contract testing organisation) in connection with the disposal of the entire issued share capital to the Swiss based SGS (leading inspection, verification, testing and certification multinational) in a multi-million pound transaction. Advising on the sale of a multinational (UK/French/US) software company to a US purchaser in a multi-million dollar transaction. Advising The University of Edinburgh in connection with the multi-million pound procurement exercise surrounding the foundation of the state of the art Clinical Research Imaging Facility at the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (by Edinburgh Royal Infirmary). Advising and assisting the University of Edinburgh in connection with the creation of a £100 million research centre that brings together the Roslin Institute, the neuropathogenesis unit of the Institute of Animal Health and the University's School of Veterinary Studies. Alastair gained valuable experience working on his successful secondments at two of the group’s clients, being the University of St Andrews (Research Funding Office) and the University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation subsidiary Edinburgh Research & Innovation Limited.
Nina Taylor

Nina Taylor

Nina is Chair of Lindsays and is also a Partner in our Family law team with over 30 years’ experience as a solicitor, principally as a litigator. She is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in family law, being trained in collaborative practice. Nina has extensive experience of advocacy in the Sheriff Court having personally conducted a large number of family court hearings including multi day proofs. She is also regularly instructed by clients litigating in the Court of Session, including high value financial provision divorce cases, child relocation and child abduction. Many of her clients are based overseas. In addition, she advises on all contracts relating to marriage and cohabitation, including Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements, Cohabitation Agreements and Separation Agreements.
Kathleen Willis

Kathleen Willis

Kathleen is a Senior Associate in our Personal Injury team. She has a particular interest in personal injury litigation and has experience of pursuing and defending claims in the All-Scotland Personal Injury Court, as well as assisting counsel in high value medical negligence and personal injury actions in the Court of Session. Kathleen undertook a fixed traineeship in the Dispute Resolution and Litigation team and has advised clients across a range of commercial, contractual and neighbour disputes. She gained particular experience in housing law during her training and provides assistance to landlords and tenants on all aspects of tenancy law, including repairing obligations, pre-litigation notices and eviction actions on grounds of rent arrears and antisocial behaviour. She regularly represents both private and registered social landlords in Edinburgh Sheriff Court. To find out more about our personal injury services, visit Calio Claims, our dedicated online personal injury website.   Highlights Scottish agent in All-Scotland Personal Injury Action arising out of the 2013 Glasgow Clutha Helicopter Crash. Kathleen was involved in preparing the case for jury trial and ultimately negotiating damages of twice the defender’s original offer. Court of Session Agent for a local authority in defending a claim for damages under the Public Contract (Scotland) Regulations 2012 in respect of a public tender process. Handling Court of Session agency instructions in a commercial action for interim interdict and breach of restrictive covenants. Securing shortened court timetables and immediate eviction orders on behalf of private and social landlords in repossession actions involving rent arrears and anti-social behaviour. Coordinating the revamp of Lindsays’ style Agency Agreement to comply with the introduction of the Code of Practice for Letting Agents (Scotland) Regulations 2016. Advising individuals and small business in respect of infringements of copyright.
Clare Wilson

Clare Wilson

Clare is a Partner in our commercial property team based in our Glasgow office. She deals with a broad range of transactions across multiple sectors, including commercial acquisitions and disposals, leasing for landlord and tenant, investment portfolio management and corporate support. In particular, Clare has developed expertise in the leisure and hospitality sector and is experienced in dealing with transactions involving hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, which has given her an in-depth knowledge of the specific legal issues involved. She also acts for both landowners and developers in often substantial development transactions, including student accommodation projects and residential site assembly and strategic planning. Lately she has been involved in a number of high-profile office leases, including several of Scotland's largest leasing deals of 2023/24 and the winner of CoStar's lease of the year in Scotland.   Highlights Acting in the sublet of circa 28,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, one of the largest Scottish leasing deals of 2023. Acquiring and then disposing of a portfolio of pubs in Edinburgh for a well-known operator. Advising on the Scottish aspects of a cross border corporate support deal valued at circa £16.5m, which involved working closely with the client’s English legal advisors. Acting in the acquisition and disposal of a prominent student accommodation development project in Glasgow. Acting in the sale of a retail investment property for £16.8m.
David Wood

David Wood

David is a Partner in our Corporate and Commercial group. He specialises in corporate sales, mergers and acquisitions, MBO’s, joint ventures, investments, fund raisings and all types of general commercial and contractual arrangements. He regularly gets involved in establishing corporate joint ventures, as well as significant collaborative partnerships, strategic commercial projects and documenting and negotiating shareholder agreements. David also advises in relation to non-contentious IP and IT matters with an emphasis on IT focused contracts such as software and hardware procurement, software licensing, e-commerce terms and conditions and policies. He also has considerable expertise in matters such as IP licensing, research and development agreements, data protection and freedom of information. Highlights Advising on the sale of a UK/French software company to a US purchaser in a multi million dollar transaction. Advising and assisting the University of Edinburgh in connection with the creation of a £100 million research centre that brings together the Roslin Institute, the neuropathogenesis unit of the Institute of Animal Health and the University's School of Veterinary Studies. Advising in relation to the sub-contracting arrangements between the University of Edinburgh, HPCX Limited and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council in respect of services relating to a new super computer (>£50m). Advising a major Scottish University on its European collaborative and strategic IP projects. Advising on the establishment of a number of property and other joint venture vehicles. Advising the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow in connection with their shareholding arrangements in a new JV company with Scottish Enterprise regarding the IP collaboration with Wyeth, a significant US pharmaceutical company. Advising various Universities on their technology spin outs and IP matters, including in respect of IPR commercialisation and exploitation.
Kate Wyatt

Kate Wyatt

Kate is a Partner in our Employment law team and acts primarily for employer clients, working from our Edinburgh and Dundee offices. Kate’s clients are in varied sectors, including the sporting, social care and education sectors and national charitable organisations.  Work for charities is a particular focus of Kate’s practice, advising on strategic and day to day issues ranging from advice on collective redundancies through TUPE and senior staff dismissals.  A further focus is advising on the employment aspects of business and property sales, including acting on the Scottish aspects of cross-border transactions, managing risk by negotiating indemnities and warranties. Kate also advises senior employees, including in relation to negotiating contracts of employment and settlement agreements, and on post termination restrictions. Kate has a further focus on data protection law and regularly advises client on data protection management and compliance, including handling data subject access requests and managing data protection issues in the employment context and more broadly. Kate holds a Law Society of Scotland Certification in data protection awarded by TQUK. Kate is ranked in the Legal 500 for employment and charities and client testimonials include that she provides ‘really clear direction and insight’, is ‘always practical and pragmatic’ and that her ‘assured manner explaining the options left me confident that the correct and appropriate actions were being taken.’   Highlights Acting for a corporate client in respect of collective redundancies as part of a wider cross border process Defending threatened action against a client company for asserted breach and procuring breach of post termination restrictions by the client and its senior employees Advising on the employment aspects of the sale of a group of hotels Acting for a Scottish educational institution in respect of collective redundancies Acting for a fund manager employer on a senior exit, involving release of restrictive covenants and equity buy back
Michael Yellowlees

Michael Yellowlees

Michael is a Consultant in our Rural - Land & Business team. He specialises in rural property law, including buying, selling and leasing all types of rural property, with particular expertise in the acquisition and disposal of high value farms and estates. In addition, he provides clients with specialised advice in relation to agricultural law, crofting law, feudal dignities, heraldry, mineral rights, renewable energy projects, servitudes and sporting rights. Michael’s clients include a significant number of large landed estates, such as the Argyll, Lochiel, Strathconon, and Murthly Estates, as well as numerous private individuals and corporate bodies with rural interests throughout Scotland. He also heavily involved in renewable energy acting for developers and landowners in relation to various wind farm, hydro and biomass projects across Scotland. Michael has a doctorate in Scottish History, which complements his professional interest in Scots property law.   Highlights Advising on all types of renewable energy projects including wind, hydro, solar and biomass. Advising a wide range of not-for-profit clients on all aspects of their rural property interests, such as the University of Edinburgh, Rosslyn Chapel Trust, Its Good to Give and The Heather Trust. He also acts for ‘island clients’ on Colonsay, Islay, Lismore, Mull Tiree, Berneray, South Uist, Harris, Lewis, Orkney and Shetland. The leading practitioner in the sale and purchase of Feudal Dignities, including Baronies, Lordships and Earldoms and heavily involved in matters relating to heraldry and clan law