Harper Macleod LLP

Harper Macleod LLP is a leading independent full-service Scottish law firm with offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Elgin, Lerwick and Thurso and was named Scottish Firm of the Year at the inaugural Chambers UK Awards The firm provides services to businesses, organisations in the public & private sectors, and families and individuals. Recognised as Scotland’s firm of the year nine times, it is one of the country's largest professional partnerships. According to independent deal activity rankings, Harper Macleod ranks joint third for the number of transactions completed in Scotland in 2024. Harper Macleod is the only firm in Scotland to be appointed to all available lots on the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and City of Edinburgh Council legal services frameworks.

PRINCIPAL AREAS OF WORK

Harper Macleod acts principally for clients in the following industry sectors: banking & financial services; energy & natural capital; food & drink; healthcare; insurance; manufacturing; marine; real estate & construction; retail; rural economy; public and third sector; space; sport; technology; and transport. It provides a full range of private client services, including family law.

Key areas of work include:

Banking & Finance

Advising banks and borrowers, the team acts for most of the country's main funders, including mezzanine funders and alternative finance providers. It also advises non-funder clients on banking and finance issues.

Renewable Energy

The team specialises in renewable energy projects advising developers, landowners, community groups, planning authorities and funders on all aspects of the energy supply chain from planning permission and property advice for wind and minerals projects, to advice on securing funding, negotiating community benefits and taking advantage of incentives. The team has advised on projects generating 40% of Scotland’s renewable electricity capacity.

Real Estate & Construction

One of Scotland's largest property practices, the team advises clients across the private, public and third sectors working with leading operators in the industry, including Scottish Government, investors, developers and their funders, main contractors, specialist subcontractors, purchasers and tenants.

Corporate and M&A

Among Scotland's most active dealmakers, the firm advises clients from entrepreneurs to multi-nationals and acts for many of Scotland’s leading family-owned, employee-owned and owner-managed businesses. According to independent deal activity rankings, Harper Macleod ranks joint third for the number of transactions completed in Scotland in 2024.

Commercial and regulatory

Harper Macleod has one of Scotland’s largest commercial and regulatory law practices. Our work is market-leading, acting for clients ranging from national and international governmental organisations, through multinationals and listed companies, to start-ups and SMEs. The team covers all areas of commercial and regulatory law, including trading arrangements, consumer contracts, procurement, IP, data and information law, the internet, and sector specific regulation.

Dispute Resolution

One of Scotland’s largest dispute resolution practices, including one of the most prominent teams in the Commercial Court in Edinburgh. It has been involved in some of the most complex litigations in Scottish courts and notable Supreme Court cases.

Employment Law

The team acts for clients across all sectors - from government, its agencies, public and third sector organisations, to multinational corporations and family-owned businesses.

Personal Injury & Reparation

The firm's significant insurance practice both pursues and defends all aspects of claims for leading insurers and individual clients. The team advises on complex insurance, litigation and risk matters for corporate clients.

Public Sector

The firm advises Scottish and UK public authorities as well as clients in the private sector who interact with the public sector. Clients include: central government departments; government agencies; NDPBs; local authorities; regulatory bodies; charities and community organisations; further and higher education institutions; and regeneration agencies. Harper Macleod also has one of Scotland's leading housing practices, acting for many large registered social landlords. Harper Macleod is the only firm in Scotland to be appointed to all available lots on the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and City of Edinburgh Council legal services frameworks.

Sport

The team is recognised as Scotland’s leading sports law practice, representing governing bodies, clubs, organisations and individuals. Harper Macleod was Official Legal Advisers to both the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Transport (including Shipping & Marine)

Advises in areas including road, haulage and rail. Experience ranges from major road infrastructure projects to the mergers and acquisitions of businesses operating in the transport sector. It also has extensive experience in shipping and marine transport.

Major Projects

The firm advises a wide range of stakeholders on major projects and project finance - from government and public sector bodies to multinational companies and lenders. The specialist Infrastructure & Projects team leads on capital projects and advises on high-value and public sector procurements.

Healthcare

Provides a full service to the sector, particularly treatment and care providers, the sale and acquisition of healthcare businesses involving major trade consolidators, and regulatory matters.

Food & Drink

The team's clients range from start-ups and microbreweries to some of Scotland's biggest producers and brands. Harper Macleod's specialist licensing team is one of the country's leading practices.

Retail

Advises clients from high street brands to online operators on everything from brand management to property advice. Harper Macleod has a particular specialism in franchising.

Rural Economy

Advises rural businesses and organisations of all types and sizes, including some of the country's leading rural sector bodies. Advice covers: crofting; renewable energy; rural business; marine economy; agriculture, fishing & forestry; natural capital projects, individuals and families.

Family Law

Our family team advises individuals on all aspects of family law across Scotland, including a focus on modern family units and family creation. The team includes fifteen Law Society of Scotland accredited specialists, one of whom holds all three family law specialisms.