United Kingdom - Scotland • Real estate
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Harper Macleod LLP

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The ‘highly professional, approachable, and diligent’ team at Harper Macleod LLP boasts an impressive list of public sector clients, with active involvement in renewable energy and housing development sectors. The group frequently collaborates with English law firms, advising on the planning aspects of corporate transactions that involve renewable energy projects. The non-contentious offering is spearheaded by Peter Ferguson, who acts for a range of clients including regulators, planning authorities, purchasers, and developers. Jennifer Jack takes the lead in planning-related litigation, handling judicial reviews, public inquiries, and appeals.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Harper MacLeod provided excellent assistance. The work was carried out quickly and efficiently, and the advice given was excellent.’

  • ‘Calum Gee and Jennifer Jack are both experienced solicitors who give sound advice. Both are approachable and friendly and respond quickly to queries despite being very busy.'

  • ‘They are highly professional, approachable and diligent. They have an excellent network with other legal providers.’

  • ‘The team is very approachable and extremely diligent, and the lawyers are experts in their field. They explain difficult legal matters in a clear manner and are patient in presenting information verbally.'

  • 'Peter Ferguson has provided first-class support during due diligence, acquisition, and contraction and through some very complex contractual matters.’

  • ‘The broad team has good local authority coverage.’

  • ‘Jennifer Jack is an excellent public lawyer with good hands-on planning experience.’

  • ‘Harper Macleod is excellent in all aspects of public law including planning law and work for a number of busy local authorities.’

Key clients

  • NatureScot (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage)
  • Octopus Energy
  • Fred Olsen Renewables
  • EnergieKontor
  • Statkraft UK
  • The Foresight Group
  • Primark
  • Forestry and Land Scotland (formerly Forestry Commission Scotland)
  • Cairngorms National Park Authority
  • Pennon Power

Work highlights

Advised Perth and Kinross Council in defending a judicial review challenge brought by Tesco against planning permission granted by the Council for an Aldi superstore in Perth.
Advised Centrica on the acquisition of a battery energy storage system (BESS) at Abernethy, Perthshire, from specialist BESS development company P&M Energy.
Advised Forestry and Land Scotland on an objection to an application by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission for consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to to construct and operate approximately 13 kilometres of new 400-kilovolt overhead transmission line to the consented Coire Glas Pumped Storage Scheme.

Lawyers

Practice head

Peter Ferguson; Jennifer Jack

Other key lawyers

Calum Gee