Burness Paull LLP fields a team which is highly skilled across all manner of transport mandates, acting for high-profile public and private sector clients. The diverse workload spans contentious and non-contentious instructions from clients working in the shipping, aviation, and port spaces. Leadership is divided between Andrew Little, whose construction expertise is relied upon by clients from the port and harbour sector, and aviation specialist Mark Kirke. Andrew Forsyth has extensive expertise across both commercial and contentious aspects of maritime and shipping mandates, while James Forbes routinely acts on key road and bridge projects.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘An exceptionally good department/team, with an excellent Partner in Andrew Forsyth. As I always say to people who ask, they have the perfect blend of pragmatism and legal knowledge.’

  • ‘Andrew Forsyth is an excellent lawyer - extremely pragmatic and a pleasure to work with.’

  • 'Andrew Little. Fantastic communicator, knowledgeable, gets results.'

Key clients

  • Scottish Futures Trust
  • Port of Cromarty Firth
  • Inch Cape Offshore Limited/Mizuho Bank, Ltd
  • FirstGroup plc
  • Kishorn Port Limited
  • West Craigs Limited
  • Bristow Helicopters Limited
  • Hebridean Island Cruises
  • Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners
  • Sustrans
  • Scrabster Harbour Trust
  • Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited

Work highlights

Acting for Port of Cromarty Firth in connection with its c.£110m Phase 5 Development of its Invergordon Service Base.
Acting for Hebridean Island Cruises in connection with the maritime tragedy which occurred on the river Clyde in February 2023 – the sinking of the tug Biter with the loss of its crew.
Acting for FirstGroup plc in relation to a programme of works on sites across the UK for the installation of EV chargers and related power supplies and infrastructure to support First Bus’ expanding fleet of electric buses.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Andrew Little

Practice head

Andrew Little; Mark Kirke

Other key lawyers

Andrew Forsyth; James Forbes