Morton Fraser MacRoberts

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Rory is Director of Planning Law at MFMAC. Rory specialises in planning matters in both the public and private sector with an impressive track record in housing and regeneration projects, including negotiating planning agreements, compulsory purchase advice, planning appeals, and listed building consent advice. Rory is also a legal associate of the Royal Town Planning Institute and a Writer to His Majesty's Signet.

Jennifer Andrew

Jennifer is a senior associate in our Litigation division which is one of the largest and most experienced litigation teams in Scotland. Jennifer is an experienced commercial litigator and regularly advises both public sector and private sector clients on all aspects of commercial litigation, debt recovery, and personal and corporate insolvency. She acts on behalf of a wide range of clients including insolvency practitioners, public sector organisations, businesses, and private clients. Jennifer is experienced in dealing with high value claims and providing clear and commercial advice. Jennifer regularly represents clients in the sheriff courts and instructs Counsel in the Court of Session.

Valerie Armstrong-Surgenor

Valerie specialises in the areas of information technology, cybersecurity, data protection and other compliance matters, intellectual property and brand management & protection, and commercial contracts. Val is listed in the 'WWL Thought Leaders: Data' 2023 report for Data Privacy & Protection and Data Information Technology. She is also listed in Who’s Who Legal 2023 as an expert in the areas of Data Privacy & Protection and Information Technology. Ranked as a Leader in the Field for Charities, Data Protection & Information Law and Information Technology in the 2024 edition of Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession, Val is described by clients as “brilliant, approachable and able to reduce the concepts down into words and phrases I can understand". Val leads the firm’s Charities & Third Sector team where she has a particular interest in governance and trustee matters. Having previously been the Chair of the Independent Fundraising Standards and Adjudication Panel for Scotland, the independent body in Scotland which oversees complaints made about the fundraising practices of Scottish registered charities, she also has a focus on how governance relates to charity fundraising. Val is also an Adjunct Professor at Loyola University in Chicago USA, where she teaches in the area of privacy law at the prestigious Beazley Institute for Health Law & policy.

Nick is a Consultant in the Firm's Real Estate team. Nick's environmental and energy practice includes transactions and advice for those involved in the nuclear and defence industries, providing specialist guidance on all aspects of environmental law including waste management, pollution and contaminated land and he is also heavily involved in the firm's other energy and utilities work. Nick uses his considerable skills and experience in commercial property work to advise many investor and developer clients. Nick's approach is one of always getting to know the people and the key issues at a very early stage - and of working closely with other professionals on any deal as one team - all to get the best result for his clients. Over the years, he has been involved in a wide range of different and challenging issues - including World Heritage sites, land required for the UK's contribution to the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, through to the closure of major yards and the development plans for their successful regeneration.

Gary is a Partner at MFMAC Gary advises on all areas of corporate law and has significant experience of a range of transactions in a wide variety of sectors involving businesses of all sizes, from local Scottish family businesses to multinationals, frequently with a cross-border element, and including mergers, acquisitions, reconstructions, disposals, investments and joint ventures. As well as transactional work, he regularly advises on directors’ duties, shareholder and partnership matters, and other corporate governance issues.

Matthew Barclay

Matthew is a partner in the Agricultural and Rural team in the Edinburgh office. Clients find Matthew approachable and easy to communicate with. He is pragmatic and finds solutions to get transactions done without unnecessary complications. He gives advice to clients in a clear way, setting out options. Matthew is from farming stock having grown up on a family farm in Berwickshire, providing him with a solid understanding on the pressures which face rural businesses.

Carryl Beveridge

Carryl is a partner and is the head of our highly rated Private Client division. Carryl is a private client lawyer specialising in estate planning and wealth management for individuals, preparing Wills and Powers of Attorney, advising on trusts and winding up of estates and providing effective advice on Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax. Carryl works closely with her clients in order to understand their priorities and objectives at various stages of their lives. Through the development of strong relationships with her clients, she is able to provide valuable insight and deliver practical and straightforward solutions at extremely difficult times of their lives.

Leon deals with a wide range of commercial disputes and debt recovery and regularly acts for clients in court proceedings in the Court of Session and Sheriff Courts. With particular experience and focus on insolvency and company law matters, he advises clients on corporate and personal insolvency disputes. Clients find him exceptional not only in his advice but also in his ability to negotiate successful outcomes for them. In addition, Leon’s work contributed to the firm being Highly Commended for Commercial Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2016.

Debbie Brogan is a Legal Director in our Litigation division which is one of the largest and most experienced litigation teams in Scotland. Debbie is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in debt and asset recovery. She advises clients on all aspects of debt recovery and commercial litigation including consumer credit and asset based lending. She has particular experience in motor finance debt recovery and acts for several major motor finance providers. Debbie regularly appears in the Sheriff Courts litigating civil debt recovery cases. She also works with our commercial property department advising on property related debt recovery.

Ross Caldwell is a partner in our Banking & Financial Services team with over 25 years of post-qualified experience in this area of practice. His particular specialisms include real estate finance, acquisition finance, leveraged finance and general corporate lending. Prior to joining the firm in May 2017, Ross practised as a partner in the City of London for ten years, latterly as a partner with international law firm Taylor Wessing LLP. Ross is qualified to practise under both English law and Scots law and frequently acts on UK cross-border and international debt finance transactions. He is also published in various journals including the Journal of International Banking & Financial Law, the Juridical Review, the Solicitor's Journal, the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland and the Journal of Finance & Credit Law.

Lynsay is a Legal Director in the Firm's Litigation Division, her focus is primarily commercial disputes in the Court of Session and Sheriff Courts. In particular, contract disputes, property litigation and intellectual property disputes. In addition, she is regularly instructed by commercial clients in the defence of a variety of employer and public liability personal injury and industrial disease claims. Lynsay regularly advises on a range of alternative dispute resolution such as mediation. She is an accredited mediator and a member of the Property Litigation Association. Lynsay sits on the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility group, helping to coordinate pro-bono activities and fundraising within the firm.

Kenneth Carruthers

Ken is a commercial litigator and heads up the real estate litigation team. He has over 30 years' experience in resolving commercial disputes with a particular focus on planning, commercial property, CPO, procurement and property development related disputes, and professional indemnity claims involving property professionals. As well as a lawyer, he is a qualified planner and gained Royal Town Planning Institute Membership in 1986. He is regularly rated as a leading individual in the main directories.

Lindsey Cartwright

Lindsey is one of Scotland's best-known employment lawyers. She is an accredited specialist in employment law, having over 25 years experience in this field and regularly advises both employers and employees. Lindsey has a successful track record in the Employment Tribunal and is one of the 'go-to' lawyers for training companies for training other solicitors and HR professionals. Chambers and Partners quote sources as saying 'She has always been excellent.' She is a regular speaker and writer on employment law topics. Highly regarded by her peers, Lindsey is the first female President of the Employment Law Group in Scotland and is also the Senior Tutor in employment law for the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at The University of Glasgow.

Innes is one of the most prominent employment lawyers in Scotland. He also heads up our Employment Team and our Litigation Division. Innes is one of Scotland's most experienced and well-known employment lawyers having specialised in employment law for over 25 years. He is an accredited specialist employment lawyer and is listed in the elite 'Leading lawyers' list in Legal 500. Innes is also ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners. Innes advises clients on a wide range of employment matters and, according to Chambers and Partners, he is able to see the same issue from multiple perspectives and pull complex advice into its most clearly understood format. As well as advising a large portfolio of employer clients, Innes is a 'go to lawyer' for senior executives. He very regularly provides advice to senior executives which can be a particularly sensitive area with significant financial implications as well as reputational issues at stake.

She is consistently highly rated in the legal directories, and is frequently sought out in cases involving high-value assets such as businesses or farms and in cases with an international aspect. With almost 20 years' experience in family law, Lucia understands the stresses that separation bring. She is passionate about resolving family and child disputes in the best way possible for each individual, whether through negotiation, mediation or litigation. Lucia has considerable expertise in international divorce cases. Legal 500 2021/22 noted she "is probably the best in Scotland on cross-border issues. Razor sharp on the law." She has recently been appointed a Fellow of the prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers. She advises on matters of jurisdiction and has acted for clients based in the U.S, Asia, Middle East and Australia, including ex-pats. She is dual-qualified in Scots and English law, and so frequently advises on UK cross-border issues also. She regularly advises upon preparation of pre-nuptial agreements, whether just in Scotland or involving England or other countries. Lucia also has considerable experience and interest in the niche area of farming divorce, and can advise farmers, landed estate owners, or spouses on the particular issues faced by them on relationship breakdown. She has recently written 'A Practical Guide to Divorce and Farming in Scotland' which was published in early 2022. Chambers 2025 guide noted she "excels in farming cases". As an accredited mediator with the Law Society of Scotland, a member of CALM Scotland and certified in Child-Inclusive Mediation.

Rowena is an Associate in our Agricultural Law and Rural Property team. Rowena graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a Law LLB (Hons) degree in 2019. During this time she also studied at the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow in March 2020.

Sofia specialises in personal injury law. She has significant experience in civil litigation, including personal injury, clinical and professional negligence, accidents at work, slips and trips and firearm appeals. She acts for both pursuers and defenders. She has acted for a broad spectrum of clients, including individuals, insurers, local authorities, and UK and Scottish Government departments, in both volume and high value, complex litigation in the Court of Session and Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland. She has a track record of securing positive results for her client. She adopts a pragmatic and solutions driven approach to her work. Sofia takes the time to understand client needs and requirements with a focus on mitigating client exposure to adverse costs. She recognises the importance of obtaining a sound understanding of a client's case. Sofia is also a member of the Law Society of Scotland and tutors civil litigation at the University of Glasgow.

Alan is a Partner at MFMac's highly rated Employment Law team. · Well known and highly thought of in the Scottish employment law community. · Appointed Secretary of the Employment Law Group in October 2024, Scotland's leading group of employment lawyers. Accredited specialist in Employment Law by the Law Society of Scotland since 2014. As well as his work for employers, Alan has significant experience regularly acting for senior executives in relation to proposed departure and severance terms under Settlement Agreements. He tutors and lectures postgraduate law students in employment law on the Diploma in Legal Practice at Edinburgh University and is regularly asked to speak and write on employment law issues.

Jenny is chair of Morton Fraser MacRoberts and has a track record of using her role in the firm to improve inclusivity in the profession. Jenny is an advocate for social inclusion within the Scottish legal sector, starting with this firm. She is particularly impassioned about breaking down barriers to social mobility, and the financial and social barriers to gaining a legal education. Her own legal practice is in personal injury health and safety and inquiry work. She has been defending employers’ liability, public liability and motor claims on behalf of a wide range of clients since 2000. During this time, she has acted for insurers, various self-insured companies, and local and central government bodies. Jenny’s diverse case work ranges from high value catastrophic injury claims to medical negligence. She also represents clients at inquiries. Jenny is qualified as a solicitor advocate, which enables her to provide clients with a consistent approach to advice and representation in court and gain the benefits of an accessible, streamlined service. Jenny is considered as a Leading Individual Lawyer by the Legal 500 in personal injury and public inquiries.

Euan has been advising on intellectual property matters and commercial contracts throughout his career. He regularly advises on all areas of law relating to intellectual property, technology and media – digital and non-digital, contentious and non-contentious. On a daily basis, Euan is involved with drafting, negotiating and advising on commercial contracts from sale to purchase, distribution to retail and sponsorship to endorsement. In addition, he is focused on helping businesses identify, protect, commercialise and drive value from their intellectual property, including by complex licensing structures. Euan tutors on Intellectual Property and Commercial Contracts at the University of Strathclyde Law School. He is the Chair of the Glasgow Short Film Festival. He is also a Director of ADVOC Europe and an ambassador for the Glasgow School of Art Development Trust.

Nicola is a partner in our Litigation division and specialises in personal injury law and health and safety. Nicola is an accredited specialist in personal injury law and has been certified by the Law Society of Scotland as a trauma informed lawyer. Nicola is experienced in dealing with both pursuer and defender claims on behalf of individuals, large scale insurers, commercial clients and public sector clients. She specialises in high value, complex claims with a particular focus on fatal claims. Nicola has experience advising clients on cases involving employers' liability, public liability, cycling accidents, motor accidents, accidents abroad and medical negligence claims.

Robin advises public bodies and those interfacing with the public sector on all aspects of legislative considerations, regulation, procurement, subsidy control, commercial and contractual matters, legal structures, governance and disputes. Robin is an accredited charity law specialist, is a member of The Law Society of Scotland's Charity Law Sub-Committee and advises a wide range of organisations across the third sector (including social enterprises and charities) on all aspects of set-up, operation, regulation, contracting and disputes. Robin also advises a wide range of clients on competition and regulatory law matters. Robin is ranked as a Leader in the Field for Charities and Public Procurement in the 2024 edition of Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession.

Paul is a partner in our Corporate team with over 15 years of experience in advising clients, in both the private and public sector, on a wide range of Corporate law matters including business and share acquisitions and disposals, share buybacks, joint ventures, corporate restructures, partnerships, commercial contracts and corporate governance (including directors' duties). His expertise covers a number of sectors including healthcare, food and drink, retail, professional services and technology. Paul also regularly advises on cross-border Corporate matters, working closely with legal counsel in other jurisdictions to ensure clients receive a high level of service.

Kelsey advises on all areas of commercial property law, with a particular emphasis on both commercial and residential development work, investment work and leasing work for landlords and tenants. Her clients range from multinational PLCs to large private companies, property development companies, investment companies, landlords, tenants and many national retailers. Kelsey is a member of the Investment Property Forum (IPF).

Sarah is an accredited specialist in discrimination law, one of only fourteen in Scotland. Sarah is a leading voice in employment and discrimination law in Scotland. She is highly regarded for her expertise in equal pay, discrimination matters and industrial relations, and is regularly instructed by clients across the public and private sectors. She is a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Equalities Law Reform Committee, serving as its Convener for several years, which reflects her influence in shaping policy and best practice in this complex and evolving area of law. An accredited specialist in both employment and discrimination law, Sarah is known for her practical, plain-speaking advice and her focus on helping clients achieve their goals. As well as advising on discrimination and equal pay issues, she regularly assists clients with Employment Tribunal matters, trade union issues, senior exits, TUPE (which protects employees’ rights when a business or service is transferred to a new employer), redundancy planning, whistleblowing, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and contractual disputes. She also has particular expertise in the education sector, where she supports higher education institutions and independent schools on a range of matters, including a wide range of discrimination issues that can arise in education, particularly in relation to accessibility and disability discrimination. Sarah regularly advises service providers and third sector organisations in relation to compliance with the Equality Act in the delivery of services, and also has expertise in assisting public authorities with compliance with the PSED (Public Sector Equality Duty).

David specialises in advising on outsourcing arrangements, IT procurement, commercial contracts, intellectual property (including brand management and protection), data protection and freedom of information compliance, cyber security and anti-bribery and corruption. David is a member of the International Trade Marks Association and the INTA Emerging Issues Committee. He is listed in the 'WWL Thought Leaders: Data' 2023 report for Data Privacy & Protection, Data Information Technology and Data Security. He is also listed as a Global Leader in Who’s Who Legal 2023 for Data Privacy & Protection, Data Security and Information Security and in Who’s Who Legal 2022 as an expert in Trademarks. David is ranked as a Leader in the Field for Data Protection & Information Law and Information Technology in the 2024 edition of Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession. He is also recommended in the 2023 WTR (World Trademark Review) 1000.

Cameron is a Legal Director in our Litigation division which is one of the largest and most experienced litigation teams in Scotland. Cameron is a key member of the planning team with a focus on property litigation and planning disputes. Cameron acts for a wide range of public and private sector clients. He provides clear and robust advice on various aspects of property and planning law and regularly acts in large scale, high value and high profile projects including public local inquiries and compulsory purchase compensation claims. Cameron has experience of acting for clients in disputes at the Sheriff Court, Court of Session, Lands Tribunal for Scotland and at Public Local Inquiries under Roads, Planning and Energy legislation.

Mel is a Legal Director in our Corporate & Commercial team. Mel advises clients on a variety of matters including data protection, commercial and IT contracts, anti-bribery and corruption, and intellectual property. Mel regularly works with third sector clients in a variety of areas including governance, data protection, fundraising practices and brand protection. Mel has a particular interest in data protection, and regularly assists clients with advice on data subject access requests, personal data breaches, marketing practices, contractual protections for data processing, and provides tailored training in these areas.

Having trained with the firm, Julie has worked exclusively in dispute resolution for over 20 years. Her expertise includes IP litigation, property litigation, procurement litigation, company, partnership and shareholder disputes, contractual and damages claims, interdicts and professional negligence matters. Julie is also a Solicitor Advocate. Julie is ranked as a Leader in the Field for Litigation and Product Liability in the 2024 edition Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession, and she is also listed in IP Stars’ 2018 rankings. Julie is also recognised in the 10th Edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for her work in Litigation. She is also ranked in WTR (World Trademark Review) 1000 and is noted for her "holistic view of IP matters" and her "practical and cost-effective approach to working with SMEs". Julie is a member of MFMac's Energy and Renewables Group and acts for energy companies, renewables developers, operators and investors in a wide range of disputes, including strategic advice on dispute management as well as advising on dispute avoidance. Julie has considerable experience of negotiated dispute resolution, in addition to litigation.

Suzanne is a partner, based in Edinburgh and has been with the firm since she joined as a trainee over 20 years ago. She specialises in public sector development work, and has a breadth of experience across real estate, construction, public procurement & subsidy control matters. She has particular expertise in public/private sector projects including those taken forward through joint ventures, RSL's and third sector organisations. She advises from project inception, advising on suitable procurement strategy, through to works completion. She has given strategic advice in relation to affordable housing, economic development projects, education and health care facilities. She also has significant experience acting for public sector clients providing funding packages through loans and grant assistance, primarily for property development.

Lauren is a legal director in the Banking and Finance team, specialising in transactional debt finance work. Lauren is an experienced Banking & Finance lawyer having acquired over 11 years' experience advising clients on complex legal banking and finance matters. She is also regarded by Legal 500 to be 'thorough and diligent.'

David is a highly experienced consultant within our Litigation division based in Edinburgh. He is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in employment law and commercial mediation. He supports a varied practice including employment, licensing law, immigration, litigation and alternative dispute resolution. David advises businesses, public sector organisations and individuals on both contentious and non-contentious employment matters. He is an accredited mediator with extensive experience in a wide range of areas of litigation, particularly in resolving employment, personal and commercial disputes outside of the courts.

Sue is a consultant in our Private Client team. Sue is a Consultant in our Private Client team, with over 20 years’ experience advising individuals and families on succession and estate planning. She provides tailored advice on Wills, Powers of Attorney, trusts, and related personal planning matters. Sue takes time to understand what matters most to each client, offering clear, practical guidance in a way that reduces stress and supports confident decision-making. Her approachable style and depth of experience make her a trusted adviser to clients navigating important life transitions. She is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the leading global body for professionals in inheritance and succession planning, as well as the Chartered Insurance Institute.

James advises on Inheritance Tax planning and Capital Gains Tax mitigation, often working as part of a cross-divisional team to provide bespoke advice on personal tax issues. James has particular experience in advising clients on issues surrounding adult incapacity, including applications for and administration of guardianship orders and continuing and welfare powers of attorney. He provides advice on the creation, use and variation of trusts for asset protection and tax planning purposes, and for charitable causes. He is regularly consulted in relation to the creation and administration of Personal Injury Trusts. James is a member of The Society of Trust and Executry Practitioners (STEP), the international association of private client practitioners, and is a tutor on the Private Client course for the Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow.

Nick is a consultant in the Energy team. Prior to specialising in renewable energy, Nick dealt with all aspects of commercial property work including property development, acquisitions, disposals, commercial leasing, security and investment work. Clients find Nick 'well informed and well placed who can be relied on to offer solutions'. Nick is a member of the Scottish Renewables onshore wind group and the Scottish Property Federation Building Standards and sustainability working group.

Billy is a Partner in the Banking and Finance team. Billy has a particular focus in advising sponsors, funds, financial institutions and local authorities on project finance including major infrastructure projects and renewable energy financing. He has experience in-house with Dexia Public Finance Bank where he successfully closed a range of major infrastructure transactions in transport, health and education. He is experienced in negotiating finance, security and guarantee packages for both the private and public sectors for green-field and brown-field energy projects.

Robyn is a senior associate in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution team. Robyn advises clients on all aspects of commercial litigation and debt recovery in both the Sheriff Courts and Court of Session. She regularly appears in court, conducting cases on behalf of her clients.Robyn delivers a friendly, efficient and professional client service on a wide range of matters, ensuring that advice on complex matters is made as clear as possible. She also delivers training on various matters of relevance to clients and external contacts. Robyn is part of the reparation team where she advises insurers, self-insured companies, government departments and other public sector organisations on a variety of matters. She specialises in claims involving employers' liability, occupiers' liability, road traffic accidents and health and safety regulations.

He is also a Director of MacRoberts Trustees Limited, which provides independent trustee services. James is a member of the Association of Pension Lawyers (APL) and has been elected as the Secretary of its Scottish Group and is also a member of the APL’s Public Sector Pensions Sub Committee. He is also a member of The Law Society of Scotland's Pension Law Sub-Committee. James co-authored the Scottish section of Tolley’s Pensions Law a major UK legal textbook with Martyn Shaw (December 2022). James is ranked as a Leader in the Field for Employee Share Schemes & Incentives and Pensions in the 2024 edition of Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession.

Alan is Head of the Corporate and Commercial Division in Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP. Alan was Shortlisted in final three for Lawyer of the Year at Scottish Legal Awards in 2020. He has over 28 years focusing on M&A and Corporate Finance. Alan is a lead adviser on some of the firm's most significant corporate transactions.

Michael is a Partner in the Corporate team, specialising in M&A work. Michael is exceptionally well-regarded by his clients and has led some of the firm's largest and most complex deals in recent years. He is a balanced and pragmatic adviser, working through complex and high-value transactions in a straightforward and commercial manner. Michael's work also contributed to the firm winning Corporate & Commercial Team of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2020, and being Highly Commended for M&A Team of the Year (Mid-Sized Deal) at the British Legal Awards 2019.

Neil is a consultant in the Construction a& Projects team specialising in advising employers, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers and their insurers in the construction sector. Reflecting his involvement in the Construction Sector, Neil was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in 2007 and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) in 2012. In April 2016, the Chartered Institute of Building presented Neil with its Open Award for services to the Construction industry. Neil is a past Chairman of the Scottish Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and Convener of the Adjudication Society, Scottish Region.

Jack works in our highly-rated Succession and Tax Planning team, dealing with a wide variety of Private Client work. He specialises in tax efficient succession strategies for individuals and families through lifetime planning and the preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorney, as well as assisting those with more specialised planning requirements. Jack also advises on the settlement and management of trusts, and the administration of complex estates. Jack originally joined Morton Fraser as a trainee in 2013, qualifying as a solicitor in 2015 and joining the partnership in 2021. He values building relationships with clients of the firm over many years, often advising multiple generations on estate planning solutions that meet their unique needs. He has particular experience in advising on succession to agricultural business and landed estates, and the complex legal and tax regimes associated with those.

Douglas is a Consultant in the Real Estate team. Douglas is involved in many large land development projects and investment transactions throughout Scotland. Within commercial real estate, Douglas has particular experience and expertise in development, financing, purchases and sales for both owner occupation and investment purposes. He also regularly advises clients on landlord and tenant matters, planning work, property dispute resolution and corporate acquisitions and disposals.

Ainsley Maclaren

A solicitor and chartered tax adviser who has worked purely in tax in accounting and legal environments for over 25 years. Ainsley sits on the tax sub-committee of the Law Society of Scotland, is a member of the Scottish Property Federation’s Tax Committee, and a member of the Stamp Taxes Practitioners’ Group. She provides direct and indirect tax advice on transactional tax matters, including advising on corporate restructuring.

Catriona MacPhail

Catriona specialises in estate planning and all aspects of asset protection. She provides advice on inheritance tax planning, giving clear guidance to clients regarding the passing of wealth to future generations. Catriona has considerable experience in dealing with complex tax planning and estates, including claims for inheritance tax relief for business interests and agricultural property, as well as post death inheritance tax mitigation. She is also experienced in administering complex and contentious estates, working with our market-leading contentious estates litigation team where required. Catriona is a full member of STEP (The Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners), having gained the Diploma in Trusts and Estates with Distinction. She is a member of the STEP Special Interest Group in Cross-Border Estates as well as the Special Interest Group in Digital Assets. She previously held the role of Legal Assistant to the Lord Justice-Clerk at the Supreme Courts of Scotland.

Norman is a Partner at MFMAC, Norman is engaged in the corporate aspects of banking, in particular transactional work but he is also involved in non-transactional and other finance-related matters. Morton Fraser MacRoberts is on the panel of all the main lenders operating in the Scottish market and Norman plays a key role in managing these panel appointments. He also has experience in insolvency, commercial contracts and corporate finance. Norman is ranked as a Leader in the Field for Banking & Finance in the 2024 edition of Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession.

Carole McAlpine-Scott

Carole acts as executrix, trustee and adviser to a wide range of individuals, trusts, charities and family businesses and specialises in simple and complex trust arrangements, particularly those for family members requiring special protection. Carole deals with matters of family conflict and frequently represents the interests of those with inheritance claims. She takes a proactive approach offering guidance on powers of attorney, guardianships, long-term care and looking after the affairs of the elderly. She has significant experience in asset protection and guiding clients through the complexities of tax planning. Her astute approach is evidenced by the specialist advice she provides to a wide range of solicitors, financial advisers and accountants throughout Scotland. Carole is a frequent lecturer on inheritance tax planning and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Carole is ranked as a Leader in the Field for Private Wealth Law in the 2024 edition of Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession.

Ewan McGillivray

Ewan is a legal director in our Litigation team which is one of the largest and most experienced litigation teams in Scotland. Ewan was first accredited as a specialist in personal injury by the Law Society of Scotland in 2010. He has represented clients who are defending compensation claims arising from injury or disease. In addition to his personal injury practice, he also has a busy public law practice. His sheriff court work, as a litigation solicitor, involves regularly representing Police Scotland in public protection actions raised in terms of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 and appeals under the Firearms Act 1968. He also represents local authority clients in licensing appeals under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. In addition, he acts for the Security Industry Authority in all the statutory appeals it faces in Scotland. He also often acts for the Police and local authorities as the instructing solicitor in judicial reviews and appeals at the Court of Session. He also acts for local authority clients in education appeals.

Jennifer acts on behalf of employers, main contractors, sub-contractors, members of the design team and insurers in a wide variety of construction disputes across a number of different sectors. As well as advising clients on formal dispute resolution procedures including adjudication, arbitration and Court proceedings, a considerable amount of Jennifer’s time is spent exploring means of managing and resolving disputes before they reach the stage of formal proceedings. Jennifer is ranked as a Leader in the Field for Construction in the 2024 edition of Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession.

Richard McMeeken

Richard is a partner and solicitor advocate in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution team. The core of Richard's work is commercial litigation with a focus on contractual disputes, corporate and company law, commercial real estate, restructuring and insolvency, banking & commercial finance and tax. He is also an experienced professional liability practitioner, a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers' Association and is regularly instructed as an expert in professional liability cases. Richard works in the private and public sectors and works with the firm's other departments, providing advice on risk management and the resolution of disputes either through litigation or alternative dispute resolution such as mediation. As a Solicitor-Advocate he litigates in both the Court of Session, Sheriff Courts. Richard is dual-qualified in Scotland, England & Wales (although he only holds a practising certificate in Scotland). He is regularly instructed in cross-border commercial, corporate and company disputes and on the enforcement of foreign judgements in Scotland.

Stuart McWilliams

Stuart is an accredited specialist in immigration law and a partner in our Litigation division in Glasgow. Stuart is the lead member of our top ranked immigration team. He advises both individuals and businesses on all aspects of UK immigration law. He provides advice and assistance to clients in relation to the Skilled Worker and Global Mobility Sponsorship process and is recognised for his expertise in working with companies who are experiencing skill shortages. He provides strategic advice to businesses dealing with right to work and sponsor compliance issues, as well as practical guidance on how to best use the visa system to fit their needs. Stuart has experience advising on the Innovator Founder ,Start up and Global Talent visa categories, as well as advising Tier 1 Entrepreneurs and Investors applying for extensions and indefinite leave to remain. Further, Stuart deals with private client immigration matters and can advise on any application for Leave to Remain, Indefinite Leave to Remain or Citizenship. He speaks frequently on immigration issues having previously given expert evidence before the UK Parliament and has particular expertise in relation to the family migration rules.

Andrew is a partner in our Banking and Finance team. His main focus is on debt finance, acting for UK clearing banks and UK and international lenders. He also has extensive experience in the sale and purchase of loan portfolios. Andrew is particularly noted for his clear communication style, commerciality in negotiations and provision of robust, measured, advice in high value, pressured and time sensitive transactions.

Alan is Head of our Restructuring & Insolvency team and is a Consultant in our Corporate team. He is a corporate lawyer of considerable experience. He specialises in advising on corporate restructuring and insolvency. He is a very experienced and well-respected practitioner who routinely advises insolvency practitioners, directors, lenders and other stakeholders in all aspects of corporate distress situations.

Bonar is a Partner in the Corporate team specialising in M&A, investments and joint ventures. Bonar advises clients including early-stage businesses, SMEs, investors and large corporates. In 2023, he spent 9 months on secondment to a FSTE100 energy company. Bonar has delivered high value and complex transactions. He has worked on deals in numerous sectors of the economy, with particular experience in healthcare (notably pharmacy), financial services and renewable energy. He is the co-lead of the firm wide Energy & Renewables group. Additionally, Bonar’s work contributed to the firm winning Corporate & Commercial Team of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2020 and being Highly Commended for M&A Team of the Year (Mid-Sized Deal) at the British Legal Awards 2019.

Douglas is a Litigation partner based in our Edinburgh office and heads several key teams within the firm. Douglas heads our planning law team and acts on behalf of commercial clients as well as public sector bodies. Douglas also leads our fraud and commercial crime practice, and has a particular specialism in Proceeds of Crime legislation. Douglas is a member of MFMac's Energy and Renewables Group. He has particular expertise, through having appeared at multiple public inquiries for renewable energy and other major infrastructure projects, of advising statutory consultees on issues as diverse as safeguarding national defence interests and considering the impact of development on the historic environment.

Christopher Murphy

Chris is a senior solicitor at MFMac and he advises on a wide range of matters including subsidy control, public procurement and grants. Chris primarily focuses on working with public sector clients in relation to procurement, governance, public law compliance, devolution issues and legal structures. He also regularly advises clients across the third sector in matters of charity law, including the formation of new charities, governance and structural issues. In addition, he advised in the first successful appeal to Scottish Ministers against conditions set by a Local Authority under a Community Asset Transfer request.

Gwen advises on procurement law and compliance and has experience of working across various sectors including health and social care, education and environment. She acted in the procurement of a new mental health counselling service for children and young people. She also has experience of local authority structure and governance. Gwen also advises on contractual matters ranging from contract drafting to non-contentious disputes. Gwen also has experience in competition law and has worked in Brussels.

Duncan has extensive experience in advising on public procurement and regulatory compliance, public sector governance and best value requirements, alternative business models, outsourcing and subsidy control matters. He also advises on all types of major procurements, including infrastructure construction and transport projects, and on public procurement law, subsidy control and public law compliance. He advises a wide range of public sector bodies, including central government, local authorities and NHS Boards. Duncan is accredited by The Law Society of Scotland as a Specialist in Public Procurement Law and chairs the Law Society’s panel for the accreditation of solicitors as Public Procurement Law Specialists.

Michael is the Head of the Real Estate Team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts. He is very experienced in all sectors of commercial real estate law in Scotland acting for developers, corporate occupiers, investors and funders. Michael's clients include blue chip corporate occupiers such as Diageo, Tesco and Volkswagen. On the development side, Michael has dealt with the acquisition and ongoing disposal work at Heartlands, one of Europe's largest brownfield regeneration projects, since 2016 Michael is ranked by Chambers which noted the following : Michael Ramsay is a valued adviser to clients, with a notable strength in transactional mandates, acting for both buyers and sellers. He is also experienced in handling real estate matters arising after M&A deals, including title and lease issues.

Isobell specialises in property disputes, planning, contractual disputes and construction law. She advises commercial clients on a broad range of disputes in the Court of Session and Sheriff Courts and regularly represents clients in the Lands Tribunal for Scotland and the Scottish Land Court.

Nicola is a partner in our Litigation and Dispute Resolution team. She is a highly experienced commercial litigator with a significant track record of resolving disputes. Nicola is particularly experienced in contractual disputes, personal and corporate insolvency matters and debt recovery. She is noted as being a first class communicator with a highly commercial outlook and an ability to balance risk, costs and outcome to optimise client results.

Fiona is one of Scotland's best known family lawyers and is often the 'go to' person for complex divorces involving business and trust interests both in in the UK and abroad. Fiona has considerable skill and knowledge of cases involving complex and valuable assets or business interests whether in a company, a partnership or any trading entity. She works with many of Scotland most esteemed Counsel delivering solutions in complex scenarios. Fiona has represented many high net worth individuals and business professionals from within the United Kingdom and internationally. Much of her work involves the negotiation, settlement or litigation of highly complex financial cases, often with an international perspective, tax, pension or trust issues. Fiona also tackles challenging disputes involving children and she is regularly instructed to prepare Child Welfare Reports for the Sheriff Court where the welfare of children is in issue.

Kenny provides pragmatic and commercial advice on the full spectrum of employment law and HR matters to local and national employers across a wide range of sectors. He has extensive experience in advising on organisational change, TUPE, disciplinary and grievance matters, whistleblowing, data protection and the employment aspects of insolvency situations. Kenny also regularly advises senior executives and individuals on settlement agreements, restrictive covenants and bringing employment tribunal claims. He regularly appears in the Employment Tribunals where he has accumulated an enviable track record of success. Kenny is accredited as a specialist in Employment Law by The Law Society of Scotland. He frequently devises and provides training to senior management, HR personnel and employees and is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association. He is also ranked in the 2024 edition of Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession for Employment Law. Kenny is a member of MFMac's Energy and Renewables Group and regularly acts for developers and operators on a wide range of employment related matters including: organisational design, changes to terms and conditions, senior appointments and exits, ET representation, outsourcings and other employment issues such as whistleblowing, disciplinaries and grievances.

Jonathan Seddon

Jonathan is a partner specialising in non-contentious construction. He leads the firm's real estate growth sector and has vast experience in development and investment work across all sectors of the UK real estate market including offices, industrial, leisure and hospitality, retail and all aspects of the living sector such as PBSA, BTR, housebuilding and care. Jonathan acts for a wide variety of clients across the construction and real estate sectors, particularly developers, occupiers, investors and funders. Jonathan has significant experience in unravelling and resolving contract structures following contractor and/or developer insolvency so that projects can be taken to successful completion.

Savita is a Consultant in the Private Client team and Family Law expert based in MFMac's Edinburgh office. Savita is Dual Qualified (Scotland, England and Wales) with strong bias towards pure English Family and Child (Private and International) Proceedings having practiced in England and Wales since 1995, and Scotland since 2015. Savita is an Advanced member of the Law Society’s family panel and is an accredited specialist in Matrimonial Finance and Private Children work. Savita has enhanced her practice, and is now recognised as an English Family Mediator which allows her to assist parties who wish to resolve issues arising from separation without the need of English court based solutions. She is able to mediate in terms of English law which in Scotland makes her uniquely placed as she can mediate in person or remotely with individuals. She is able to assist in intra UK disputes providing forum neutral mediation in divorce and children cases.

Martyn holds the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Financial Planning Certificate, and is a member of the Association of Pension Lawyers and the Share Plan Lawyers Group. With clients ranging from sole traders to companies listed across the globe and trustees of pension schemes of all sizes, advising on a diverse range of pension, share scheme and incentive matters. Martyn also heads MacRoberts Trustees Limited, which provides independent trustee services. He regularly writes and speaks on pensions, share schemes and cash-based incentives.

Gavin acts for employers, main contractors, sub-contractors and members of the design team in a wide range of construction and engineering disputes, ranging from residential defect disputes to multi million pound energy and infrastructure disputes. While Gavin guides clients through formal dispute resolution procedures including court actions, arbitrations, and adjudications, a large portion of his time is spent exploring alternative dispute resolution processes and strategies with clients to identify the most appropriate and efficient means of managing and resolving their disputes.

Andrew is a Partner in our Corporate Team at MFMac. He is a very experienced and well respected practitioner, and over his career to date has advised businesses across a wide range of sectors including technology, non-domestic water, food and drink, manufacturing and retail. His practice covers both SME and larger businesses operating both in the UK and internationally.

Gail is a legal director within the Agricultural Law and Rural Property team. Gail specialises in all aspects of Agricultural and Rural Property work: from the purchase and sale of land to forestry and large estates. She acts for individuals, public sector organisations and charities in connection with their rural property interests. Gail has considerable experience acting for landowners and developers in renewable energy projects across all technologies. She was appointed to the Law Society of Scotland's Energy Law Reform Committee, and is the Convenor of their Property and Land Law Reform Sub-Committee. Gail is also a Notary Public, is a Trustee for both the Whitehills Harbour Commissioners and the Willow Tea Rooms Trust, and acts as a mentor with the Law Society of Scotland mentoring programme. She is a certified Mental Health First Aider.

Bev is a partner in the Banking and Finance team. With 20 years' experience in the asset finance sector, Bev advises clients on a wide range of asset and invoice finance arrangements including equipment leasing, receivables finance, asset based lending, stock finance and vendor finance. Bev and her team provide legal advice to clients funding a variety of assets from plant and machinery, vehicles, HGVs, ships and aircraft to invoices and receivables.

David is a Partner in the Corporate team. He advises clients on all areas of corporate law, including corporate mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate structures, corporate governance, company formation and corporate fund raising structures. His clients include public and private companies, educational bodies, owner and family managed businesses and private equity and “business angel” investors. David has experience in a wide range of sectors including oil & gas, healthcare, food, professional practices, manufacturing and energy.

Iain is a partner in our Corporate sector. He is also a member of the Sports Law team and the non-contentious Restructuring and Insolvency team. In his role Iain has a particular focus on SMEs in Scotland, and undertakes a mixture of M&A, private equity, investment and restructuring work. He worked previously in London for 15 years and therefore much of his work has a cross-border or international flavour. Many clients consult Iain in relation to more than just transactional activity. He is considered a part of their core team and his views on strategic direction, tactics and general business matters are frequently sought.