Lindsays

Philippa Abernethy

Philippa supports clients on a wide range of family law matters from adoption to separation and divorce, always providing pragmatism and empathyPhilippa Abernethy Wales is a Senior Associate in our Family Law team.She helps clients with a wide range of family law matters including separation, pre- and postnuptial agreements, child contact, surrogacy, and adoption. Philippa prides herself on her ability to provide practical and empathetic advice to clients and focuses on resolving matters pragmatically through negotiation. However, if court action is required, she has wide-ranging litigation experience in care arrangements for children, divorce, cohabitation, and relocation within Sheriff Courts across Scotland. As well as being a member of the Law Society of Scotland and a Notary Public, Philippa is a member of the Family Law Association and a collaboratively trained lawyer and member of Consensus Scotland.

Dawn Anderson

Dawn’s “thorough and efficient” approach to commercial property is valued by clients in sectors from retail to housebuildingDawn Anderson has over 20 years’ experience in the commercial property sector in Scotland, supporting clients in multiple sectors.Her work frequently relates to retail and property, supporting both landlords and tenants on property investment and development matters. Other areas where clients turn to her for advice are office and industrial, student accommodation, hotel and leisure, and licensed premises.Dawn also has considerable experience in the renewable energy field, acting for both landlords and tenants in relation to windfarms and run of river hydro projects.In addition, she supports volume housebuilders on strategic land acquisition and site assembly, acquisition of access and other servitude rights, and preparation or disposal after build-out.She also supports corporate and commercial colleagues and clients on mergers, acquisitions, share purchases, and sale transactions that involve a property aspect.

Connor Barnes

Charities of all sizes value Connor’s practical legal advice, on issues from trustee training to charitable tradingConnor Barnes is a Senior Solicitor in our Charities and Third Sector team.He completed his degree and diploma at the University of Edinburgh in 2020 and 2021, and has quickly built his experience of supporting charities, including grant-giving charities.Connor has a wealth of experience in the creation and winding up of charities, the reorganisation of charities’ legal structures, constitutional and governance reviews, working closely with and assisting grant-giving charities, delivering trustee training, and advising charities on a variety of matters such as trustees' duties and charitable trading.

John Bett

John is very widely known for his successful and meticulous approach to commercial and property litigation, debt recovery, and crisis managementJohn Bett is a Partner and head of our Scotland-wide Dispute Resolution and Litigation department.He has over 20 years’ experience in a wide variety of disputes, with particular expertise in commercial litigation and property litigation. John also leads our specialist debt recovery team, providing clients with an economic and efficient debt recovery service.John has also developed a specialism in crisis management, supporting clients to respond to anything from short-term reputational challenges to existential threats to their business.His diverse client base includes property managers and developers, manufacturers, football clubs, professional services firms, and high-profile individuals. John works closely with law firms elsewhere in the UK and beyond, supporting their clients in disputes within Scotland.John has a reputation for a practical, commercial approach to resolving disputes, backed up by thorough preparation. This prompted a positive comment in Civil Practice 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 also chairs the Faculty’s Audit and Court Committees.John is a member of the Property Litigation Association.HighlightsActing for 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, before moving to arbitration. The successful outcome for John’s clients meant that they each secured their respective promotions.Acting for 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’s wealth of private client experience, including in guardianship and trusts, is reflected in his knowledgeable and practical adviceErnie Boath is a Partner in our Private Client Services team.He advises clients on Wills, Powers of Attorney, inheritance planning, executries, and a full range of other private client matters including intervention and guardianship orders.He has been appointed guardian for a number of incapable adults and administers a number of private and charitable trusts.For nearly 20 years, Ernie was Secretary of the Angus Committee of Tayside Valuation Appeal Panel and was also a part-time occasional Sheriff Clerk in Forfar. In addition, he has taught on the Private Client course in the University of Dundee Post Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.

Gavin Buchan

Gavin has built an excellent reputation for his advice on investment and development finance, including cross-border dealsGavin Buchan is a Partner at Lindsays and head of our Banking team.He advises lenders and borrowers on 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 now specialises in property finance work, with considerable experience in investment and development finance transactions.Gavin regularly provides Scots law advice in cross-border and multi-jurisdictional deals.HighlightsActing for OakNorth Bank plc in in the £42 million cross-border refinancing of a portfolio of 161 pubsAdvising Maslow Capital in relation to a £18.9 million development finance facility for a student accommodation development in GlasgowRepresenting a financial institution lending £36 million under a syndicated facility to fund the purchase of a portfolio of storage and distribution unitsActing for a UK challenger bank providing a £5 million syndicated bridging facility to finance the purchase of sites in GlasgowSupporting a borrower in relation to a £8.2 million development finance facility to fund the development of its land for residential and care home purposesAssisting a property finance lender on a £23 million facility to refinance a portfolio of commercial properties across the UK

Paige Burton

Paige supports clients on a wide range of family law issues and disputes, from cohabitation to divorce to child relocationPaige Burton is an Associate in our Family Law team.Paige focuses on family disputes and has wide-ranging advocacy experience in respect of care arrangements for children, divorce, and cohabitation in Sheriff Courts across Scotland. She also regularly assists in Court of Session actions, including high-value financial provision, child relocation, and child abduction cases. In addition to her experience in litigating, Paige provides clients with advice on contracts and agreements relating to marriage, cohabitation, and separation. Paige is a member of the Law Society of Scotland and the Family Law Association and is also a Notary Public. Paige recently completed her training in collaborative practice with Consensus Scotland.

Debbie McIlwraith Cameron

Charities turn to Debbie for her practical, solutions focused advice and her strong experience in governance, transactions, and regulationDebbie McIlwraith Cameron is a Director in our Charities and Third Sector team, bringing extensive experience advising charities and voluntary organisations across Scotland.Before joining Lindsays, Debbie spent 11 years with Turcan Connell, where she was a Senior Associate specialising in charity law. She has developed wide-ranging expertise, with particular strengths in constitutional reviews and updates, mergers and transactional matters, governance, regulatory compliance, fundraising regulation and trustee training.Debbie’s work spans the full lifecycle of charitable organisations, advising on structural changes, operational governance, and the evolving legal landscape affecting the sector. She has a strong interest in the continued development of charity regulation to help shape best practice while supporting organisations that make a meaningful impact in their communities.As part of Lindsays’ full-service offering to charities, Debbie works closely with colleagues across employment, property, and legacy management to provide comprehensive guidance tailored to the needs of organisations of all sizes.In addition to her legal practice, Debbie is a charity trustee and an active member of the Charity Law Association. She is committed to ensuring that charities are equipped to navigate both obstacles and opportunities through clear, practical, and strategic legal advice.

Jonathan Cornwell

Jonathan’s approach to litigating personal injury claims, including high-value and complex cases, has led to a “stellar” reputation among clients and peersJonathan Cornwell 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 for a number of core participants in high-profile public inquiries, providing them with experienced and insightful advice and representation in this specialist area of practice.Jonathan has acted as legal representative for a number of core participants in high-profile public inquiries, providing them with experienced and insightful advice and representation in this specialist area of practice.Having litigated intricate and high-value cases for a wide range of major insurance clients, 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.He is noted by clients as being “compassionate, understanding and attentive at all times” in the Legal 500.To find out more about our personal injury services, visit Calio Claims, our dedicated personal injury website.

Clare Cranston

Clair empathetically and expertly guides parents and families through cohabitation, marriage, divorce, and all aspects of Child LawClair Cranston is a Senior Associate in our Family Law team, supporting families across Perthshire and Tayside.She regularly works on a wide range of family law issues, including the financial aspects of divorce and separation, cohabitation agreements, and disputes arising where a cohabitee has passed away.She has a particular interest in child law, including contact and residence disputes, relocation issues and specific issue orders. In addition, she has advised many parents whose children have additional support needs.Clair is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and also in Child Law by the Law Society of Scotland. She is certified in Trauma-Informed Law by the Law Society, recognising the impact that trauma has on individuals and their decision-making.Clair is a member of the Family Law Association, the Law Society of Scotland, and a Notary Public.

Lewis Crofts

Lewis’s wide-ranging experience in all aspects of rural property includes a strong background in renewables and battery storage projectsLewis Crofts is a Partner in our Rural – Land & Business team and has a wide-ranging practice involving all aspects of rural property.Lewis has completed numerous complex sales and acquisitions of rural properties including crofting properties, large farming operations, castles, and estates. He has also acted in several high-value forestry transactions. He also advises on aspects of agricultural tenancies and estate management. He has a strong background in renewable wind and hydro projects for developers and estates and has recently advised on several battery storage and solar projects. He also acts for landowners on telecommunication mast sites. Another area of his experience is providing property advice and complete multiple Compulsory Purchase Orders for statutory bodies on infrastructure projects.

Ben Doherty

Ben is one of Scotland’s leading employment lawyers, and a trusted source of expert advice for employers in multiple sectorsBen Doherty is a Partner at Lindsays and leads our Employment Law team. Having specialised in employment law for over 10 years, he’s recognised for translating complex legal issues into practical solutions for employers across Scotland.Clients praise his ability to provide “advice of the highest level” and for converting “commercial aspects into legal solutions”. He’s recognised in Chambers as a “leading individual” in his field, and has considerable experience of representing clients at Employment Tribunals across the UK, including defending unfair dismissal, equal pay, and the entire range of discrimination claims.Clients from many sectors, including charities, healthcare providers, construction companies and service providers, look to Ben for ongoing employment law and HR strategy advice on how to handle disciplinary and grievance matters, redundancies and restructuring, changes to terms and conditions of employment, and equal opportunity issues.Ben also has a successful record of advising clients about the application and effect of the TUPE regulations. He regularly acts for customers and service providers in respect of large-scale outsourcing contracts, using indemnities and warranties to manage and mitigate riskHighlightsActing for a service provider in relation to 180 equal pay claimsAdvising several large charity clients on disputes between their boards and CEOsRepresenting an employer facing claims brought under the discrimination of the grounds of religion or belief regulationsSupporting numerous clients on unfair dismissal claimsAssisting a service provider with a TUPE transfer involving around 9,000 employeesCo-authoring the UK chapter of the Kluwers Guide to Redundancy Law in Europe

Alistair Duncan

Alistair’s trusted support for commercial and rural clients across Tayside and Perthshire ranges from leases to renewablesAlistair Duncan is a Partner in our Commercial Property team, working from our Dundee and Perth offices. Among those who turn to him for support and solutions are developers, farmers, and rural property owners.Alistair advises them on a wide range of property matters, including commercial sales and purchases, developments, commercial leases, and bank securities.He also has considerable experience in renewable energy projects. He supports landowners and developers on option agreements and leases relating to wind and solar projects, battery storage, and small-scale hydro schemes, offering clear, practical solutions that will work for the long term.

Caroline Fraser

Caroline is highly praised for her advice on Wills, Powers of Attorney and trusts, including in contentious or complex situationsCaroline Fraser is a Partner in our Private Client Services team and also head of our Dundee office.She advises individuals and families on a broad range of personal affairs such as making and updating their Wills and Powers of Attorney, care for the elderly, and the administration of executries, including contentious estates and post-death planning. She has a particular interest in trust law and regularly advises clients on the formation, variation, and termination of private and charitable trusts and the tax matters associated with that. Caroline also has a keen interest in succession planning and supports families on inheritance tax and general estate planning, often working closely with financial and taxation professionals. In all these areas, she thrives on helping people plan for themselves and their families, always looking out for their individual needs.HighlightsNotary PublicMember of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the leading worldwide professional body for private client professionalsWinner of a STEP Excellence AwardAwarded a Distinction level STEP Diploma

Adam Gardiner

Adam supports individuals and businesses on a wide range of disputes, always looking for practical solutions before going to courtAdam Gardiner is a Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution and Litigation team. He acts for both pursuers and defenders on a wide range of areas and frequently appears in the Sheriff Court and Court of Session.His experience includes 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 relating to the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.He regularly advises landlords, tenants and letting agents on issues and disputes about Private Residential Tenancies, often appearing at the First-tier Tribunal in relation to eviction applications and civil applications.Adam always looks for practical outcomes for clients. Whenever possible, he seeks to resolve disputes without court action, making use of mediation and arbitration opportunities instead.HighlightsAppearing in the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) to successfully pursue the first eviction order for Private Residential Tenancies based on the ground that the landlord intended to renovate the property.Representing clients in mediation sessions regarding property disputes as well as complex Court of Session proceedings.Successfully opposing an application to the Lands Tribunal for Scotland for a variation to a route of access that would have significantly restricted the client’s ability to access their property.Appearing at urgent interim interdict hearings in the Sheriff Court to protect clients’ property from potential damage by their neighbours.

Alastair Goodman

Alastair is highly respected for his commercial property experience and his clear, business-focused adviceAlastair Goodman has over 20 years’ experience of supporting clients on a wide range of commercial property deals and developments. Major landlords, property developers, retailers, and others trust him for his pragmatic advice and commercial solutions.His strong reputation covers a wide range of areas and clients. He regularly supports major landlords on landlord and tenant issues, involving multiple units within industrial or commercial estates, along with retailers looking to change, develop, or expand their unit portfolios.Also eager to benefit from his experience are property developers working on substantial residential sites and student accommodation developments. Nursing home operators also look to Alastair for support on all their commercial property needs.Alastair also advises property investors on single and portfolio purchases, and has recently been involved in several renewable energy projects, acting for both landowners and developers.HighlightsSupporting a supermarket operator to acquire large developments across Scotland, ranging in value from £5 million to £25 million.Acting for a developer of student accommodation with a development value in the region of £12 million.Selling a number of shopping centres throughout Scotland, with values in the region of £110 million.Working on the refinancing deal for a 78-unit development with a value of £23 million.Advising a landowner on one of the biggest wind farm developments in Scotland.

Leanne Gordon

Leanne’s legal experience across all areas of running landed estates, farms, crofts and other rural property is of real value to our rural clients in challenging timesLeanne Gordon is a Partner at Lindsays and is Head of our Rural – Land & Business team. She acts on behalf of individuals, families, and businesses in a variety of matters including the sale and purchase of all rural property.Leanne has extensive experience of advising clients on the management of farms, estates and forestry, minerals and sporting rights, agricultural tenancies and renewable energy projects, and acting on behalf of banks to take security over agricultural land and forestry. She is also the lead adviser to a public sector client in their property related matters.Leanne has developed particular expertise in crofting law, advising both landowners and crofters.

Daniel Gorry

Daniel is trusted by employers for his practical, commercially focused approach to all aspects of employment lawDaniel Gorry is a Partner in our Employment team. He has specialised in employment law since qualifying as a solicitor in 2006 and has extensive experience of advising employers and individuals on a wide range of matters.Daniel’s employer clients come from a range of business sectors, seeking his commercial and practical advice on topics including complex company restructures, the application of the TUPE Regulations, senior exits, and discrimination law within the workplace.He regularly appears at the Employment Tribunal across Scotland and England, successfully acting for clients in recent cases involving disability discrimination, employment status, and constructive dismissal.

Kenny Gray

Kenny is highly regarded across Scotland for his commercial property experience and acumen, especially in healthcare and hospitalityKenny Gray is a Partner in our Commercial Property team, with decades of experience advising clients on the acquisition, disposal, development, and funding of all types of commercial property. This ranges from office, leisure, and retail investment to development site acquisition, secured lending, and commercial property leasing and management.Kenny deals extensively with the sale and purchase of businesses, most frequently in the healthcare sector and in the licensed trade. His other areas of interest and expertise are in banking/property finance (acting for various lenders and borrowers) and in the charity/social investment sector. 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. HighlightsSales of dental practices in Stirling, Edinburgh, Roslin, Bannockburn, Kinghorn, and Leven in recent months.Purchase and sale of pharmacies throughout Scotland. Acquisition of the well-known Counting House pub in Glasgow. Regular sales and purchases in the licensed trade, including hotels, restaurants, and guesthouses. Development of the 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.

Brent Haywood

Brent offers a wealth of experience and insight to anyone involved in a dispute or litigation, using strategies from court to straight talking to achieve the best outcomeLindsays Partner and Solicitor Advocate Brent Haywood has been consistently recognised in legal directories since the late 1990s. His experience covers both commercial and regulatory disputes, ranging from contractual and company matters, to intellectual property, pensions, procurement challenges, and human rights.A Solicitor Advocate since 2002, he holds a Masters in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. In every situation, Brent is passionate about reaching the best outcome for each client, whether that means going before a judge, an arbitrator, a mediator, or sorting it out through some straightforward talking.Brent is regularly invited by national media to comment or give guidance about legal issues and new and developing legislation.HighlightsBrent 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 worshipRecently obtaining injunctive relief in the Court of Session to protect the intellectual property rights of a client whose supplies robotic technology globally to off-shore operatorsSuccessfully defending the first prosecution under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024 where the court ruled that there had been an unlawful interference with the client’s EHCR Article 10 right to freedom of expressionActing for a prominent businessman in the Takeover Panel's litigation to pursue enforcement of the City Code on Takeovers and MergersRepresenting the British Boxing Board of Control in a Fatal Accident InquiryRepresenting an anchor tenant’s interest in a seven-figure dispute with the landlord of one of Scotland’s largest shopping centresSuccessfully pursuing the scheme actuary in a professional negligence matter on behalf of the trustees of a pension schemeExperience in the Crown’s self-reporting regime in respect of anti-bribery mattersRecovering US-generated spring board profits through the Scottish courts for a global agrochemical client whose patent was infringed in the UKRecovering confidential information via legal ‘dawn raids’ after obtaining orders from the Scottish courts Successfully pursuing numerous Equality Act discrimination cases against various parties, including the City of Edinburgh Council; the Robertson Trust; a prestigious private school and university the student unions in Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Rachel Holt

Rachel is trusted by her personal injury clients for her professionalism, hard work, and strong commitment to supporting themRachel Holt is a Partner in our Personal Injury team. She specialises in road traffic accidents, accidents at work, public and occupier’s liability, medical negligence, and industrial disease, and is accustomed to dealing with complex claims.Rachel regularly deals with actions in the Sheriff Court, All Scotland Personal Injury Court and Court of Session, and appears in Courts across Scotland.Before joining our team at Lindsays, Rachel worked for a leading Scottish defender firm. This experience in the perspective of how defender firms and insurers approach claims is helpful when advising claimants.To find out more about our personal injury services, visit Calio Claims, our dedicated online personal injury website.

Nicholas Howie

Corporate clients value not just Nicholas’ legal knowledge, but also his resourceful, can-do attitude and attention to detailNicholas Howie has 18 years’ experience of handling 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

Katherine knowledgeably supports employer and employee clients on a full range of employment law issues, including at Employment TribunalsKatherine Irvine is an Associate in our Employment Law team. She works across our Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee offices.Katherine has focused on employment law since 2009, advising on both contentious and non-contentious employment law matters. This involves advice on issues at every stage of the employment relationship, from recruitment through to termination of employment and beyond. Katherine has worked with employer and employee clients in a wide range of sectors and industries, including charities, hospitality, leisure, health, and social care.She regularly attends Employment Tribunals across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, representing both claimants and respondents in a variety of cases, enabling her to 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.HighlightsRepresenting a respondent business in a tribunal claim where dismissal was alleged to have been on discriminatory grounds related to pregnancyRepresenting a university employer in respect of claims of unfair dismissal, non-payment of wages, and under the discrimination legislation on the grounds of religion or belief, in Northern IrelandActing for an employee in an unfair dismissal, disability discrimination and discrimination by association claim against her former employersRepresenting numerous claimant clients in discrimination, unfair dismissal, and wages claimsActing for the transferor in a TUPE transfer where the pool of transferring employees was in dispute Representing a respondent in a whistleblowing claim in the construction industry, and representing an employee in relation to whistleblowing claims in the medical research industryActing for an employer dentist in a claim with over 15 allegations of sex discrimination and/or harassment

Grant Johnson

Grant is highly recommended by clients for his clear, practical advice on Wills, trusts, executries, and other aspects of planning for the futureGrant Johnson is an experienced Private Client Partner. He joined the firm in 2015 and now heads our Private Client Services team.Grant supports a wide range of individuals, families on Wills, trusts, executries, inheritance tax planning, Powers of Attorney, and issues relating to elderly clients such as guardianships.He also works regularly with charitable organisations on their regulatory requirements, and supports families, individuals, and others on the setting-up and ongoing administration of charitable and non-charitable trusts.HighlightsWorking on secondment with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), and using that experience to advise on application submissions to OSCR

Lynsey Kerr

Lynsey advises on all aspects of Wills, Trusts, estate planning, and executries, including in complex, cross-border or contentious family situationsLynsey Kerr is a Partner in our Private Client Services team. 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 regularly involved in setting up, reorganising or winding up charitable Trusts, working as part of our wider Third Sector team.She is a Governor of St Columba’s Hospice, and 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. She is also a Trustee of Ponton House Trust, 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.HighlightsNotary PublicMember of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the leading worldwide professional body for private client professionalsWinner of a STEP Excellence AwardAwarded a Distinction level STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates

Helen Kidd

Charities across Scotland and south of the border look to Helen for her deep knowledge of their sector and her problem-solving approachHelen Kidd is a Partner and heads our Charities and Third Sector team.Accredited as a specialist in charity law by the Law Society of Scotland, Helen has spent over ten years specialising in charity and third sector legal issues. She is ranked in both the Chambers UK Legal Guide and the Legal 500, and our Charities and Third Sector team has gained a Tier 1 ranking in the Legal 500 under her leadership.Her wide experience includes setting up, merging, and winding up charities; advising on governance, charity tax, and trading activities; grant giving; trustee training; and dealing with a wide range of regulatory matters related to OSCR, HMRC, the Care Inspectorate, and the Financial Conduct Authority.In addition to supporting charities on issues relating to fundraising, donations, trusts, and endowments, Helen uses her experience in private client legal work to advise individuals and families on lifetime philanthropy and legacies/bequests.Helen is a member of the Charity Law Association and an affiliate member of the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).As well as advising charities and their trustees, Helen has been a trustee herself, with experience on the board of a national community-based youth work organisation and as a governor of an independent school.HighlightsAdvising 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. Establishing a human rights law centre.Helping philanthropic individuals to realise their charitable aims and ambitions. Advising English charities and their advisors on Scottish charity law.

Sandy Lamb

Sandy’s clear advice and strong technical knowledge of Wills, executries and Trusts are highly valued by clients, including high-net-worth individualsSandy Lamb is a Partner in our Private Client Services team. 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. He has wide experience of advising executors and beneficiaries on the administration of executry estates, and on setting up, administering and winding up Trusts, for various purposes. He also advises on Powers of Attorney and provides guidance to Attorneys on how to carry out their duties. Sandy is a former Chair of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) in Scotland, the leading worldwide professional body for practitioners in the fields of Trusts, estates, and related issues. He was one of the first groups of practitioners to undertake the STEP Scotland Diploma in Trust and Estates, achieving a Distinction grade. Sandy is a member of the Society of Writers to His Majesty’s Signet.

Darren Leahy

Darren uses his wide experience in commercial and residential property to deliver clear, practical advice and outcomesDarren Leahy is a Partner in our Commercial Property team, dealing with a variety of transactions, including commercial purchases, sales, and commercial leasing.He also has experience in all aspects of residential property including house sales and purchases, re-mortgages and transfers of title.In all areas of his practice, business and individual clients appreciate his responsive, clear, and straightforward approach to their property-related issues.

Darren Lightfoot

Darren’s extensive commercial property experience includes complex property portfolio management, and refinance and corporate support workDarren Lightfoot 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 has a broad practice working with clients on acquisitions and disposals, development work and planning promotion agreements, commercial leasing for landlords and tenants, and corporate support.He also advises on the acquisition of land for housing development and subsequent site set-up and redevelopment.Darren works with individuals and businesses seeking to dispose of land or acquire it for investment and development purposes and has considerable experience in refinance and corporate support work. He has particular expertise in the property aspects of business acquisitions and disposals, advising clients across a range of sectors including veterinary practices, independent financial advisers, manufacturing and logistics companies, and vehicle repair sites.He also regularly supports banking and finance transactions, acting on the acquisition and refinancing of high‑value commercial properties, mixed‑use developments, and land for housing developments and redevelopments.Highly experienced in general portfolio management, Darren can provide advice and assessment on most aspects of general property law. He is a member Lindsay’s Land and Buildings Transaction Tax team, providing property tax insights to colleagues across the firm.Known for his technical approach, Darren takes an active role in reviewing styles and supporting internal training, helping to ensure consistent, high‑quality outcomes for clients.

Gregor MacEwan

Gregor protects clients’ interests in a vast range of disputes, including in high-pressure and complex situationsGregor MacEwan is a Partner in our Dispute Resolution and Litigation team, and has specialised in this area since qualifying as a Solicitor in 2011.He skilfully supports clients to resolve a diverse range of disputes, such as commercial, contract, property, and Telecoms Code issues. This includes acting for them in arbitrations, interdicts, and judicial reviews.Gregor particularly enjoys dealing with complex cases, finding practical ways to unravel complexity and deliver outcomes that protect his clients’ interests.HighlightsActing in high profile football-related litigations and arbitrations Pursuing damages claims arising from a high-profile fire in GlasgowAdvising in numerous telecoms disputes including procuring the removal of telecoms equipment and Land Tribunal cases determining land value and sharing rights under the Telecoms CodeSupporting landowners on a variety of issues, from damages following a major fuel spill to roads adoption and its interaction with telecoms legislationPursuing and defending cases involving the calling-up of standard securities and recovery of secured debtsAdvising landlords and tenants on dilapidations, other commercial lease disputes, and recovery of possession of commercial premisesLitigating a contract dispute over an Old Master paintingSupporting clients on diverse claims relating to property, from breaches of missives to disputes over servitudes, title conditions, boundaries, and common repairsPursuing and defending claims for breach of contracts for the sale of goods, including consumer and non-consumer casesActing in disputes involving the restoration of dissolved companies and recovery of assets of companies that cannot be restoredPursuing and defending executry disputes

Clare McCarroll

Clare’s experience in all aspect of executries includes estates that are complex, high-value, or have international dimensionsClare McCarroll is a Partner in our Private Client Services team, having previously been head of the executry department in another long-established Edinburgh firm.She advises a broad spectrum of clients on preparing and updating their Wills and Powers of Attorney and 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.Clare is a member of the Society of Writers to His Majesty’s Signet.HighlightsSuccessfully establishing a Canadian domicile for a deceased client resident in Scotland, leading to HMRC’s agreement 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 to access assets held in Scotland.Tracing the closest living relative of a reclusive deceased who had died without a Will, by establishing a family tree and identifying those people entitled to the estate.

Jamie McGill

Jamie is building a strong reputation as a Personal Injury solicitor, including in complex and catastrophic injury claims and litigationJamie McGill is an Associate in our Personal Injury team based in Edinburgh. He regularly acts for Pursuers in the Sheriff Courts, the All Scotland Personal Injury Court, and the Court of Session.Jamie is instructed in a broad range of personal injury matters, including complex litigation and high‑value injury claims. He has experience acting in cases arising from road traffic accidents, accidents at work and occupiers’ liability, and is regularly involved in cases where liability and medical causation are in dispute. He places a strong emphasis on building relationships with his clients and taking the time to understand the impact an injury has had on their lives, enabling him to provide clear and tailored advice throughout the litigation process.Jamie is a Member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), the Scottish Young Lawyers Association, and an Affiliate Member of the WS Society.To find out more about our personal injury services, visit Calio Claims, our dedicated online personal injury websiteHighlightsObtained £200,000 in damages for a family in connection with the death of their baby.Obtained £100,000 of damages for a dental negligence client who developed FND.Successfully represented a client at Proof (hearing on evidence) to recover a five-figure sum in connection with a road traffic accident. This included discrediting the insurer’s independent witness.Obtained £40,000 of damages for a client who suffered injuries as a passenger travelling in an at fault vehicle.Obtained just under £40,000 of damages for a client injured at work following a repetitive strain injury.Acted for the victim of negligence cosmetic surgery which resulted in breathing difficulties to recover damages just under £30,000.Obtained £6,000 worth of private treatment for a client in a £25,000 claim for an RTA passenger.

Lorna McKay

Lorna provides her practical insight and offers calm, expert guidance across rural property matters and is a trusted adviser to clients throughout Scotland.Lorna McKay is a Partner in our Rural – Land and Business team.Lorna works closely with estate owners, farmers and other rural businesses. She handles a wide range of transactional work, including the sale and purchase of farms, forestry, country houses and estates. She brings a clear understanding of rural life and offers guidance on succession planning, partnerships, sportings and land reform.Lorna is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Agricultural Law and has particular expertise in agricultural holdings. Clients look to her for clear advice, steady reassurance and a grounded perspective - especially in moments of complexity or transition.

Alison McKee

Alison is trusted and admired for her work on all areas of family law, from prenups to divorce to international child abductionAlison McKee heads Lindsays’ award-winning Family Law team, and has over 15 years’ experience of working in family law and child law. She’s accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in both of these areas, and highly regarded by peers and clients alike.Alison uses her experience to guide clients through all areas of family law, including financial provision on divorce, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, international child abduction, and surrogacy. This includes supporting them in the Sheriff Court and Court of Session.However, she believes that Collaborative Law approaches often produce more practical and constructive outcomes for children and families than going to court, and will readily show couples and families how to make this work in their own situations.She is a member of the Family Law Association, the Scottish Collaborative Family Law Group, and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

Rob McNab

Rob is trusted by individuals, families, and owner-managed businesses to help them plan for succession, inheritance tax, and other private client issuesRob McNab is a Partner in our Private Client Services team. He has over 10 years’ experience of helping clients, including owner-managed businesses, to navigate matters such as family succession and inheritance tax planning.He also supports families and individuals with the full range of private client matters including Wills, Powers of Attorney, and the administration of estates.Rob is a Member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Samantha Miller

Samantha brings a pragmatic and open approach to resolving clients’ disputes, with a particular focus on Wills, executries, and GuardianshipsSamantha Miller is a Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution and Litigation team.She joined Lindsays in 2018 as a trainee and over the past seven years has gained practical and in-depth experience of litigating on behalf of a growing range of clients.Samantha regularly acts for private individuals, companies, and charities, providing advice in a diverse range of legal matters. These include commercial disputes, contractual disputes, debt recovery and enforcement (including the recovery of rent arrears), and residential property disputes, among others. She has experience acting for both pursuers and defenders in these areas and regularly appears in Sheriff Courts.Samantha has particular experience in relation to disputes involving Wills and executries as well as Guardianships. She has advised individuals in relation to executor disputes and cases (including ‘reducing confirmation’), professional negligence claims, lost Wills, legal rights claims, recovering debt from a deceased’s estate, and challenges to Wills.She is also a Notary PublicUsing a client-centred approach and strong attention to detail, Samantha always tailors her advice to each client’s particular needs and circumstances. Her pragmatism and consideration of the practical and economic aspects of litigation mean that clients are kept aware of any costs involved in pursuing any claims, helping them avoid any disproportionate or preventable expense.

Ian Mitchell

Ian’s valued and experienced support to businesses and investors includes a particular focus on private equity transactionsIan Mitchell is a Partner in our Corporate team.He has 20 years’ experience of corporate and commercial contract work. He has advised a wide range of businesses including large corporates, owner-managed businesses, investors, companies raising investment, public sector bodies, funders, and charities.Ian has particular experience in relation to private equity investment. He 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.His regular work spans the full range of corporate activities over the life of a business, from the choice of vehicle at start-up, through equity and debt fundraisings, corporate governance, share and asset purchases and disposals, to joint ventures, restructuring, and company wind down.HighlightsActing 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 is highly regarded across Scotland for his knowledge, experience and commercial acumen in property deals, including complex and urgent dealsDerek Nash is a Partner and Head of our Commercial Property Team.He 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 involves sectors as diverse as office investments, serviced apartments, logistics and warehousing, development land, and children's nurseries.Clients include EG Group, Steer Automotive, Brake Bros, RNIB, Well Pharmacies, and RRH.Derek is highly respected across the Scottish property sector for the wealth of experience and knowledge he brings to every transaction.HighlightsLeading the firm’s relationship with Scottish Action for Mental Health.Representing a private trust in a significant £14 million investment deal to acquire a retail warehouse investment (held on a long lease) in Edinburgh, let to Tesco Stores Limited.Acting for RRH in several acquisitions of prime Edinburgh assets.Acting in an investment sale at a multi-let office investment in central Glasgow, with the deal successfully completed in two weeks from start to finish.

Lauren Pasi

Lauren is a skilled personal injury and clinical negligence lawyer, who brings insight and empathy to each claim she handlesLauren Pasi is a Partner and Head of our Personal Injury team.She is highly experienced at litigating on behalf of pursuers on a wide range of personal injury cases, including road traffic accidents, accidents in the workplace, fatal accidents, public and occupier liability cases, and medical negligence. She also handles a broad range of clinical negligence matters, including misdiagnosis, psychiatric, and negligent surgery cases. Lauren deals with actions raised in the Sheriff Court and Court of Session and regularly appears in the Sheriff Court. She wins praise for her combination of legal knowledge, insight, people skills, and drive to achieve the best outcomes for her clients.To find out more about our personal injury services, visit Calio Claims, our dedicated online personal injury website.

Brian Pollock

Brian has an impressive track record of helping clients to unravel complex commercial and partnership disputesBrian Pollock is a Director in our Dispute Resolution and Litigation team. With over 10 years’ experience representing clients in high-value and complex disputes, he brings considerable expertise to the team.Brian’s expertise covers a range of practice areas, with a particular focus on property litigation, company and partnership disputes, defamation and reputation management, debt recovery and enforcement, insolvency, and contentious construction.He regularly represents commercial clients across a variety of sectors, including commercial landlords/ tenants, property developers, SMEs, charities, private schools, sports clubs, insolvency practitioners, and other professionals, as well as private individuals. For all of them, he looks to achieve practical solutions, both in and out of court, through robust and pragmatic advice. Brian is a member of the Property Litigation Association.Highlights12 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 the Commercial Court of the Court of Session in various disputes valued at over £1 million and resulting in notable published decisions (e.g. 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 six-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 representing commercial clients in multiple actions in the Sheriff Court, including three separate actions involving disgruntled former employees and unlawful use of specialist equipment in the waste management sector.Successful defence of a seven-figure claim on grounds of abuse of process at the Edinburgh Commercial Court, resulting in the award of agent-client expenses. Acting in high-value dilapidations actions, including acting for a leading multinational technology company.Providing legal opinions in complex disputes about 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.

Kirsty Preston

Clients across Tayside look to Kirsty for clear and knowledgeable advice on their personal legal issues, from Wills and inheritance tax to executries.Kirsty Preston is a Partner in our Private Client Services team. She deals with a wide variety of matters for families and individuals, 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 the use of Trusts 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 (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) membership and obtained a Distinction for the Diploma.

Eilidh Robertson

Eilidh’s skilled advice and professionalism in all aspects of rural property has seen her quickly rise to Partner levelEilidh Robertson is a Partner in our Rural – Land & Business team.She advises estate owners, rural businesses, individuals, and lenders on buying, selling, and leasing rural property. She has experience in dealing with all aspects of rural property work ranging from crofts to landed estates, agricultural leasing, and forestry transactions.Eilidh has developed particular expertise in agricultural law, advising both landlords and tenants.Her legal career began when she joined Lindsays as a trainee in 2016, and she has quickly gone through the different promotion stages to become a Partner.

David Rose

David draws on his long commercial property experience in north east Scotland and Tayside to support business clientsDavid Rose is a Partner in our Commercial Property team. Businesses across various sectors value his support on site acquisitions, commercial development, landlord and tenant matters, renewable energy projects, property finance, and investment.David is well known within the Scottish property community and has substantial experience and knowledge of the market in north east Scotland as well as Tayside.Before joining our team at Lindsays, he led the Aberdeen real estate team of a UK law firm.

Alastair Smith

Alastair is an experienced and engaged supporter of growing technology, software, digital and gaming businessesAlastair Smith is a Partner in our Corporate and Commercial team, advising businesses on investments, data protection, commercial contracts, technology, and intellectual property (IP) matters.A strong focus of his work is supporting clients on private equity and venture capital investment deals for technology, healthcare, and software companies. This includes drafting shareholder/investment agreements, share option agreements (including Enterprise Management Incentive and Company Share Option Plan options), articles, and ancillary documentation.Another focus – and enthusiasm – is working with enterprises involved in novel technology, software development, digital, and video games / interactive media, supporting them on their commercial journey from start-up to contracts to publication / commercialisation.In addition, he advises higher education clients on IP and technology matters, mergers / joint-ventures, contracts, and procurement projects.HighlightsSupport for growthActing as key advisor to a pioneering Scottish video games company in a key stage of growth and development, advising on all aspects of start-up / scale up investment, contract negotiation (including template agreements and game engine licensing), IP protection, option schemes, data protection, and corporate governance.Cross-sector expertise in emerging industries Providing legal and commercial guidance to start-ups and scale-ups in diverse fields including life sciences, drug discovery, med tech, software, renewables, avionics, and defence, and helping founders and investors navigate how to work with each other and address complex regulatory / contractual landscapes.M&A and transactional supportThrough all stages from diligence and heads of terms to deal completion, including advising a leading international space technology business on the successful multimillion-pound acquisition of a satellite parts manufactureEquity and incentive schemes Advising on share option documentation tailored to clients’ needs and growth strategies, including enterprise management incentive (EMI), company share option plan (CSOP), and unapproved optionsData protection and IP Advising on GDPR compliance, data governance, and IP strategy for clients in higher education, investment, third sector, and commercial sectors.

Nina Taylor

Nina is highly praised and very well-known for her support to clients on family law and child law issues, and her focus on securing workable outcomesNina Taylor is Chair of Lindsays and a Partner in our Family law team. She has 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 and is a member of the Family Law Association and Consensus Scotland, trained in collaborative practice. Nina has extensive experience of advocacy in the Sheriff Court, having personally conducted a large number of family court hearings. She is also regularly instructed by clients litigating in the Court of Session, including in high-value financial provision divorce cases, child relocation, and child abduction cases. Many of her clients are based overseas.In addition, she advises on all contracts relating to marriage and cohabitation, including pre- and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, and separation agreements.

Sarah Taylor

Sarah has a calm, practical approach as she supports landowners, estates and rural businesses across Scotland.Sarah Taylor is a Director in our Rural – Land and Business team.Sarah works with clients to provide guidance on succession planning, land transfer and lifetime gifting. She has considerable experience in the acquisition and disposal of farms, estates, forestry, sportings and country houses as well as providing support across a wide range of rural property matters, including agricultural holdings, general tenancy, environmental matters and diversification projects.With a strong track record in handling larger commercial transactions in a rural context, Sarah’s work has also included commercial leasing, utilities, renewables and development options - areas in which she brings clear advice and deep sector understanding.

John Thom

As well as helping families around Perth and Crieff with succession and estate planning, John is involved with many local community and charity initiativesJohn Thom is a Partner in our Private Client Services team, working across our Perth and Crieff offices. He additionally holds the position of Head of our Perth office.John specialises in succession and estate planning, Powers of Attorney and guardianships, private and charitable trusts, executry administration, asset management and mental health legislation.John was the Chairman of Miller Hendry before the firm merged with Lindsays in 2023.A graduate of the University of Aberdeen, John has recently retired as a Convenor of the Mental Health Tribunal of Scotland. He is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Registrar of the Diocese of Brechin, and a director of Miller Hendry (Asset Management) Ltd.

Linda Tinson

Linda’s substantial sector experience and reassuring guidance have made her a trusted adviser to rural businesses and landowners navigating complex and evolving challenges.Linda is a Consultant in our Rural – Land and Business team.A leading adviser in the rural and agricultural sector, Linda supports clients with a wide range of legal needs across the rural economy. Her expertise includes transactional business involving all types of rural property, traditional conveyancing matters, succession planning, business structuring, partnership reorganisation and agricultural holdings.She also brings significant experience in developing areas relating to natural capital. This includes advising on land reform, regulatory change across rural industries, agritourism, diversification strategies and renewables projects - helping clients make informed decisions in a changing landscape.Linda is a graduate of the Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Programme, a former Vice President of Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) and also former Vice Chair of the Central Committee of Scottish Land and Estates. She is also ranked in the Chambers legal directory, reflecting her strong reputation in the field.Warm, steady and quietly confident, Linda guides clients through both day‑to‑day matters and major transitions—always focused on helping them move forward with clarity and confidence.

chloe wales

Chloe expertly supports clients on all the legal issues relating to rural property, from sales and leases to renewablesChloe Wales has over 15 years’ experience of helping land owners and land managers with rural property matters. She supports them on a broad spectrum of issues and scenarios, including purchases, sales, and lease transactions for estates, farms, and forestry.She also advises them on renewable energy projects, agricultural holdings, and residential tenancies. Clients also value her expertise and practical approach to complex conveyancing, large land registration projects, and implementing property transfers required by succession and tax planning exercises.

Lyndsey White

Lyndsey’s knowledge of both rural and commercial property is of real benefit to Tayside business owners, developers, lenders, and individualsLyndsey White is a Director in our Commercial Property team.With a background in both rural and commercial property, she has a varied practice, specialising in purchases and sales in relation to farms, forestry, and landed estates; renewable energy transactions; telecommunications; leasing; and acting for utility providers. She regularly acts for individuals, business owners, developers, and lenders. Lyndsey graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2007 and qualified as a solicitor in 2012. She joined Lindsays as part of our merger with Tayside firm Miller Hendry in 2023, where she had worked since starting her traineeship with them in 2010. Between 2015 and 2021, Lyndsey was the Course Director and tutor for the Conveyancing module of the Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Dundee. She currently sits as a director on the board of Dundee Renewable Energy Society.

Kathleen Willis

Kathleen offers knowledgeable and determined support to clients pursuing personal injury and negligence claimsKathleen Willis is a Senior Associate in our Personal Injury team.Kathleen has worked exclusively in personal injury and clinical negligence since qualifying as a Solicitor in 2017 and has over 10 years’ experience of personal injury litigation. During that time, she has handled a diverse case load acting for clients in relation to road traffic accidents, accidents at work, and public liability claims. Kathleen has also gained considerable experience in dealing with industrial disease claims, having represented clients in claims arising from exposure to vibration tools, industrial deafness, and employment-related respiratory conditions. Kathleen predominantly handles complex clinical negligence claims arising from issues including negligent surgery, delayed diagnosis, and hospital-acquired infections. She has experience in handling negligence arising from elective procedures across the fields of plastic surgery, dentistry, and ophthalmology, and has also represented families in fatal claims arising from clinical negligence. More recently, Kathleen has gained experience in public inquiry work, representing the interests of a Core Participant Group in the ongoing Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry. Kathleen has a strong commitment to training and mentoring fellow peers and is responsible for the supervision of junior solicitors and paralegals in the team. She also mentors on the University of Strathclyde’s Diploma in Legal Practice. To find out more about our personal injury services, visit Calio Claims, our dedicated online personal injury website.HighlightsScottish agent in the 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. Securing a £200,000 settlement for a client who suffered a serious shoulder injury in a road traffic accident. Achieving damages of £125,000 for a client who developed Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome following exposure to vibration tools as a road worker.Obtaining an award of £72,000 for a scaffolder who was originally offered £3,500 in a slip/trip accident at workSecuring a £90,000 settlement for a client who was immune-compromised following a road traffic accident. Obtaining £40,000 in ‘loss of society’ awards for sisters who lost their brother due to a delayed cancer diagnosis.

Clare Wilson

Clare’s commercial property experience is highly rated, covering areas from leisure and hospitality to student accommodation and residential projectsClare Wilson is a Partner in our Commercial Property team.She deals with a broad range of transactions across multiple sectors, including commercial acquisitions and disposals, leasing for landlords and tenants, investment portfolio management, and corporate support.Through her long experience of advising on transactions involving hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, Clare has in-depth knowledge of the specific legal issues facing the leisure and hospitality sector.She also acts for both landowners and developers in substantial development transactions. These include student accommodation projects, and site assembly and strategic planning for residential developments.She has also 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.HighlightsActing in the sublet of approx 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 approx £16.5m, which involved working closely with the client’s English legal advisers.Working on 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 regularly advises on major acquisitions, deals and joint ventures involving commercial and intellectual property and ITDavid Wood is a Partner and Head of our Corporate and Commercial group. He specialises in corporate sales, mergers and acquisitions, MBOs, joint ventures, investments, fund raisings, and general commercial and contractual arrangements. He is regularly 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 intellectual property and IT matters, with an emphasis on IT-focused contracts such as software and hardware procurement, software licensing, and e-commerce terms and conditions and policies. He also has considerable expertise in matters such as IP licensing, R&D agreements, data protection, and freedom of information.HighlightsAdvising on the sale of a UK/French software company to a US purchaser in a multimillion 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 on the sub-contracting arrangements between the University of Edinburgh, HPCX Ltd, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council in respect of services relating to a new supercomputer (>£50 million).Advising a major Scottish university on its European collaborative and strategic IP projects. Advising the universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow in connection with their shareholding arrangements in a new joint venture company with Scottish Enterprise regarding the IP collaboration with Wyeth, a significant US pharmaceutical company. Supporting Scottish universities on their technology spin outs and IP matters, including in respect of the commercialisation and exploitation of IP rights.

Kate Wyatt

Kate’s clients praise not just her deep knowledge of employment and data protection law, but also her insightful, engaging approach to supporting themKate Wyatt is a Partner in our Employment law team, acting primarily for employer clients, and working from our Edinburgh and Dundee offices.Kate’s clients work 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 to TUPE to senior staff dismissals. She also provides guidance 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. And she 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 clients on data protection management and compliance, including handling data subject access requests and managing data protection issues in the employment context and more broadly. Clients say that she provides “really clear direction and insight”, is “always very practical and pragmatic” and that she is “first-rate in the employment field. She just knows her stuff; is exceptionally engaging; more than sufficiently direct; is very insightful and we all enjoy working with her”. Kate is a member of ELA (Employment Lawyers Association) and holds a Masters degree in employment law, along with a Law Society of Scotland Certification in data protection awarded by TQUK. She is a member of the Menopause Café’s advisory board and a trustee of Dundee Law Centre.HighlightsActing 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 employeesAdvising on the employment aspects of the sale of a group of hotelsActing for a Scottish educational institution in respect of trade union relationships and a request for recognitionActing for a senior employee in respect of his exit, involving release of restrictive covenants and managing share entitlements from prior and future transactions