United Kingdom - Scotland • Public sector
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Parliamentary and public affairs

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Brodies LLP

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Situated in the firm’s broader competition and regulation practice, the parliamentary and public affairs practice at Brodies LLP provides ‘unfailingly excellent’ guidance on the full gamut of regulatory and advisory work. Practice leader Christine O’Neill bolsters the team’s capabilities with experience in representing government entities in major public inquiries, while Charles Livingstone leverages extensive expertise in public law. Douglas Waddell focuses on legislative drafting and Niall McLean regularly acts for clients in the public and private sectors.
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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Excellent service on complex regulatory issues.’

  • ‘Advice is unfailingly excellent and is provided by a diverse range of subject experts in complex fields of public law.'

  • ‘Christine O'Neill is an exceptional lawyer with a great team. When you have a legal issue, you want Christine on your side. Her straightforward, clear and direct advice is worth its weight in gold.'

  • ‘Kirstyn Burke marries excellent advice with an attitude that exemplifies what Brodies offer clients: a commitment to providing the best support and the sagest advice possible. Kirstyn is always available and a great communicator.'

  • ‘A highly motivated and driven team that delivers expert advice on the most complex and sensitive topics.’

  • ‘Niall McLean has deep technical knowledge and is skilled in succinctly distilling advice which is both commercial and pragmatic.'

  • 'Kirstyn Burke always has the answer and is very measured and calm in her approach.'
  • 'Charles Livingstone consistently provides excellent technical support and advice.'

Key clients

  • Scottish Renewables
  • Scottish Qualifications Authority
  • Scottish Government
  • Scotch Whisky Association
  • Law Society of Scotland
  • Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
  • COSLA
  • Homes for Scotland
  • Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland
  • City of Edinburgh Council

Work highlights

  • Acted for registered charity Annan Harbour Action Group in modernising its harbour order modernising existing harbour order as a key part of our client's strategy to regenerate and revitalise the harbour as an asset for the local community.
  • Advised Zero Waste Scotland on the Deposit Return Scheme that was due to come into force in Scotland in 2023, in which ZWS was a key player.
  • Acted as senior counsel for Marine Scotland in a judicial review about the Scottish Marine Plan's role in fishing licensing decisions.

Lawyers

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Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Lauren Smith

Practice head

Christine O'Neill

Other key lawyers

Charles Livingstone; Niall McLean; Lauren Smith; Douglas Weddell; Tony Convery; Kirstyn Burke