Rural sector expert Clive Phillips leads the group at Brodies LLP. Based across the Central Belt, Aberdeen and the Highlands and Islands, its workload includes natural capital market matters, complex renewables projects, farm and estate management, agricultural leasing, and rural property transactions. Graeme Leith is the team’s forestry specialist, while Alex Buchan handles renewables. Kate McLeish advises on the management of large estates, including executing sales and purchases, and handling intra-family transfers and development projects, amongst others. Highlands-based Gary Webster is a key contact for crofting and natural capital matters, and Andrew Askew Blain concentrates on transactions for overseas clients.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent service from start to finish. Very professional and knowledgeable.’
- 'From the outset and throughout, Graeme Leith has demonstrated a collaborative and open approach to working, seeking to build consensus whilst identifying challenges and working to solve problems as they naturally arise and finding solutions.'
‘Clearly the teamwork is strong. Members of the team are well-briefed on each other's cases such that they seamlessly provide cover for each other when needed. This is particularly helpful from a client perspective.’
‘Often, Scottish property law is not straightforward. Gary Webster and his team understand it inside out, setting out nuances and options with clarity, and ultimately being clear in recommendations.'
'Gary takes a practical view which is critically important in complex cases.’
'The team have a wide range of knowledge to deal with any issues.'
'Attention to detail, excellent communication, meeting deadlines.'
'Andrew Askew Blain - we have been working with Andrew for many years now and appreciate his intellect, knowledge of the law and calmness. It is always a pleasure to work with Andrew. He is commercial and quickly identifies the key issues for us and provides clear and valuable advice.'
Key clients
- Woodland Trust
- Scottish Forestry
- Gladstone Family
- Innes Estates
- Innes Trading Company Limited
- Bagger-Sorensen Group
- Glen Tanar Estate
- Andrew Booth
- Savock Farms
- Cooke Aquaculture
- Ben Alder Estate
- Seafield & Reidhaven Estates
- Dunecht Estates
- 2 Sisters Ltd
- Co-op
- Scottish Woodlands
- Mowi
- Cooke Aquaculture
- Scottish Land & Estates
- Andrew Graham and Sons
Work highlights
Instructed by the client to negotiate and conclude an unconditional sale contract with CALA Homes for a site for more than 200 homes on the edge of Bo'ness.
Acted for Scottish Forestry in a partnership project funded under the FIRNS Scheme to develop standard buyer-seller contracts for carbon units generated by woodland creation and peatland restoration contracts across the UK.
Acted for the client in the negotiation of an option, lease and tripartite agreement for a wind farm development on land subject to a number of agricultural tenancies.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Graeme Leith
Kate McLeish
Practice head
Clive Phillips
Other key lawyers
Graeme Leith; Kate McLeish; Gary Webster; Alex Buchan; Andrew Askew Blain