BTO Solicitors LLP‘s construction offering assists housing associations, local authorities and property developers with both contentious and non-contentious work. Strengthening the team, Kieran Thrall and Kate Ross are praised by clients for their ’clear, thorough, calm and pragmatic’ approach. Ian McCann joined the firm from Shoosmiths in November 2024, and Michael Collins left the firm in March 2024, while Fraser Hopkins departed to Beale & Co in 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Strong partner-led service.’
- ‘The team are a pleasure to work opposite - they are clever, engaged, exceptionally well organised, swift to respond and we can enter into meaningful, valuable discussions with them.'
- ‘Kieran Thrall is an excellent communicator, very professional and quick to understand the technical side of our defence.’
- ‘We work fairly closely with Kieran Thrall and Kate Ross. They are clear, thorough, calm and pragmatic.'
- 'Very approachable and very reassuring in terms of counsel, advice and strategy regarding the defence of a claim.’
- 'We were very impressed with their obvious legal input but also impressed by the understanding of our own position when defending our case. Very good at keeping us abreast of developments throughout the whole course of the action.’
- 'They understand the commercial pressures and realities of construction and deliver well placed and wise advice. I am most grateful for their assistance.'
- 'We have always found the service that they provide to be of the highest calibre.'
- 'BTO are highly responsive and display great knowledge in our field of construction contracts, and are always on hand to provide the best of advice.'
Key clients
- Gilbert-Ash Limited
- Clark Contracts Limited
- Trelleborg Offshore and Construction AB
- Bell Building Projects Limited
- AIG Europe
- PetroIneos Manufacturing Scotland Limited
- Springfield Properties PLC
- Allan Water Homes Limited
- Loreburn Housing Association Limited
- MacTaggart & Mickel Homes Limited
- Akela Ground Engineering Limited
- Cunninghame Housing Association Limited
- New College Lanarkshire
- Mactaggart & Mickel Homes England Limited
- Partick Housing Association Limited
Work highlights
Successfully advising a main contractor in a series of five adjudications in relation to a main contract dispute arising from a major office refurbishment work to a Grade A listed building in central London.
Advising a main contractor in the negotiation of a building contract with a various national housebuilders in relation to life-critical cladding remediation works.
Successfully acting for a main contractor on various claims at adjudication under a main contract for the design and construction of a student accommodation development in Edinburgh City Centre.
Other key lawyers
Ian McCann; Kieran Thrall; Kate Ross