Harper Macleod LLP offers a full-service property litigation practice with experience handling lease, boundary, and rights of access disputes at all levels of the Scottish court system. Leadership responsibilities are held by Andrew Upton, who is highlighted for his know-how on retail and agricultural matters, and wider disputes head Sandy Hastie. John McHugh acts for both private and public sector clients alike, while Jennifer Grosvenor is regularly tasked with dilapidations claims and property title disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- I have recently worked with Angus Brown on a boundary dispute that ended in court. Angus was great at providing the correct information up front and was excellent at keeping me informed along the way.
- Their communication skills are very good, keeping me informed throughout the process and providing additional information in a timely manner.
- Quick to grasp the issues and act on the requirements. Lewis Kemp has been particularly helpful and effective.
- They were quick to react to instructions, provided good, timely feedback, and ultimately delivered the desired result. A high-quality, professional service.
- Angus Brown has exceptional client handling skills and leaves no stone unturned in delivering results for his clients.
- Angus Brown and Emily Allan have unrivaled expertise in property litigation in the north of Scotland. As a team, they deliver meaningful, commercially focused results.
- Andrew Upton specializes in property law. He has real experience in all areas of property litigation, which is assisted by the fact that he often does appearance work himself. John McHugh is a supremely calm, measured, and intelligent litigator. He is a real standout in the field of property litigation. His ability to be a trusted advisor to his clients is second to none.
- Harper Macleod's unique strength is the sheer breadth and depth of their involvement in property litigation. They seem to be experts in everything from crofting and agricultural tenancies to massive commercial property disputes to landlord and tenant disputes. They appear in the Land Court, Lands Tribunal, Sheriff Courts, and Court of Session. Their lawyers are, accordingly, some of the best and most widely experienced property litigators in the whole of Scotland. They have a real ability to understand and manage all types and manners of property disputes.
Key clients
- Scottish Government
- Forestry and Land Scotland
- Allied Irish Bank (GB)
- National Car Parks Ltd
- Fred. Olsen Renewables
- Primark Limited
- William Hill Organization Limited
- Halfords Limited
- Cairngorms National Park Authority
- J.G. Martin Plant Hire Limited
- Shell Pensions Trustees Limited
- City of Edinburgh Council
- The Highland Council
- NatureScot
- Kuehne + Nagel
- Wheatley Group
- Link Housing Group Limited
- City Property Glasgow (Investments) LLP
- B&M Retail Limited
Work highlights
Advising and representing Forestry and Land Scotland in its pursuit of an application to the Lands Tribunal for Scotland for discharge of a title condition preventing land from being used as part of a national electricity infrastructure upgrade project.
Acting for Tower Pension Trustees Limited, a pension management company, in an action for damages against the former tenant of commercial premises owned by two self-invested personal pension plans due to dilapidations at the premises.
Acting for Iain Mackinnon, a crofter, in his defence of four linked Scottish Land Court cases raised against him in respect of the croft that he inherited.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Andrew Upton; Sandy Hastie
Other key lawyers
John McHugh; Jennifer Grosvenor