Advising notable infrastructure developers, public sector bodies, and rail and marine operators, Burness Paull LLP‘s transport offering covers a variety of corporate, commercial and contentious work. The team's transport work focuses heavily on the maritime and shipping spaces, with the team advising on the design and construction of new quayside developments, contractual negotiations and agreements, health and safety incidents, and complex disputes. Group lead and skilled construction lawyer Andrew Little brings ’tact, knowledge, ability and clarity’ to a host of port and harbour matters. Andrew Forsyth ‘combines a deep knowledge of the law with an ability to cut to a clear conclusion’, receiving a steady stream of contentious work from P&I clubs, marine insurers, and claims managers. James Forbes is recognised for his road and infrastructure work and receives instructions from both public and private sector bodies. Co-head Mark Kirke joined the team from CMS in May 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Andrew Little - tact, knowledge, ability and clarity.’
‘Above everything else, when I think of Burness Paull, I know that they can be completely trusted. And not only can they be completely trusted, but they are truly a pleasure to work with. Their advice is always clear and concise, but always paying heed to the commercial realities that our business faces.'
‘Andrew Forsyth is a brilliant partner - he combines a deep knowledge of the law with an ability to cut to a clear conclusion. He has an obvious knowledge of the maritime industry and the challenges faced. Andrew's style of leadership clearly flows down into his associates with their advice and approach being consistent and accurate.’
‘It is the in-depth knowledge of the project that James Forbes as partner brings to our project. He is supported by other lawyers each having significant time spent on the project. For us the depth of knowledge of our business is key.’
Key clients
- Port of Cromarty Firth
- Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners
- Highland Spring Limited
- The Republic of Cyprus
- Plug AS/Plug Shore Power Ltd
- South Lanarkshire Council
- Lonham and its insured Colin Lawson Transport
- CalMac Ferries
- Scottish Futures Trust
- NHS Lothian
Work highlights
- Acting for Port of Cromarty Firth in connection with its proposed Phase 5 Development aimed primarily at supporting the floating offshore wind industry including in connection with ScotWind.
- Advised Chivas Brothers Limited on a construction contract for the provision of a new access road, bridge and culvert, parking, lorry parking, landscaping, street lighting and fencing with associated drainage and services at the Kilmalid Whisky Bottling Facility in Dumbarton with a matter value of £14m.
- Acted for FHC in relation to a long-running dispute relating to defects, principally lack of scour protection, in the Fraserburgh North Harbour Deepening Project.
Lawyers
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Andrew Little; Mark Kirke
Other key lawyers
Andrew Forsyth; James Forbes