The team at Brodies LLP is particularly adept at handling real estate investment and land sale matters, and contractual negotiations. The practice, which is chaired by Johane Murray, is reputed for its depth of expertise in the energy, maritime and education sectors. Tracey Menzies handles the full range of commercial property work, with a strong focus on office development, while Kirsty Macpherson is well known for her expertise in work across the Highlands and the Scottish Isles. Both Gary Webster and Jenna McCosh are key figures within the practice. Karren Smith left the firm in May 2024.
Commercial property: elsewhere in Scotland in Scotland
Brodies LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Johane Murray
Autres avocats clés:
Kirsty Macpherson; Gary Webster; Tracey Menzies; Jenna McCosh; Nicola Grant
Les références
‘Approachable, knowledgeable, quick to respond and supportive when tight deadlines are imposed.’
‘Brodies apply a commercial approach even when dealing with complex legal issues.’
‘Jenna McCosh is a delight to work with! We very much valued her expertise in guiding us in this area and also her consistent positive manner, despite challenges along the way on the transaction.’
Principaux clients
Aberdeen City Council
Aberdeenshire Council
Bancon Group
CALA Homes
Cater Property Investment
Challenger Energy
Cooke Aquaculture
Drum Property Group
Emco Services
GSS Developments
Knight Property Group
Lerwick Port Authority
Mandale Group
Montrose Port Authority
Nippon Gas
Ponticelli
Reach Subsea
Sekal
University of Aberdeen
University of Edinburgh
Warehouse 13
WoodBlox
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for Knight Property Group in the investment sale of Belgrave Logistics Park, Belshill, East Kilbride for £40 million.
- Acting for Statera Energy in the development of a 3GW Hydrogen Project in Kintore, Aberdeenshire.
- Acting for Meldrum House Estates on the sale of Meldrum House Hotel and golf course in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire to Apex Hotel Group.
Burness Paull LLP
Burness Paull LLP is well-equipped to advise on significant development projects, assisting clients in the education, hospitality and energy sectors. Practice head Peter Chambers regularly assists with the drafting of contracts, conducting due diligence and arranging the sale of assets. Richard Goodfellow leads the housebuilding arm of the practice, while John Strachan works on the development side, showcasing skill in handling contentious matters. Stuart Gardiner leverages his vast knowledge of tax law to assist with commercial property issues.
Responsables de la pratique:
Peter Chambers
Autres avocats clés:
Richard Goodfellow; John Strachan; Stuart Gardiner; Natasha MacDonald
Principaux clients
Places for People
Upland Properties
Peterson
Esson Properties Limited
University of St Andrews
University of Aberdeen
John Clark Motor Group
FirstGroup plc
Bancon Homes
Robertson Group
CALA Homes
Kellas Midstream
Levelling Up Real Estate
Scanbio (Scotland) Limited
Malcolm Allan Housebuilders
Welltec
AMI SciTech
Highland Fuels Limited
Cromarty Firth Port Authority
North East Scotland College
Asco
Henry Boot Developments
TGI Fridays
Transpennine Express Limited
Thomas Plant Hire
Archer Drilling
Stewart Milne Group (Administrators)
McGinty’s Aberdeen Limited
James Fisher Defence
Bristows Helicopters
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for Pitfodels Holdings Limited (Spence Family corporate vehicle) in the high-profile sale of Aberdeen and North East institution the Marcliffe Hotel to Balmoral Group.
- Acting for Springfield Properties plc in relation to a long term contractual joint venture arrangement between Springfield and Barratt Homes to collaborate and work together to deliver the new village settlement of 3,000 homes at Durieshill on the outskirts of Stirling.
CMS
CMS is active in both the conventional and renewable energy markets, acting for investment funds and other private sector entities in a wide array of real estate deals. Carol Nisbet leads the team, which is adept at handling the development of large-scale projects, property sales and leasings. Nisbet advises on the full gamut of commercial real estate matters, and excels in assisting with matters involving energy projects and occupational leasings. Karla Ritchie is particularly knowledgeable of investment management issues, acting in several multi-jurisdictional portfolio acquisitions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Carol Nisbet
Autres avocats clés:
Karla Ritchie
Les références
‘Our business uses CMS for a range of services and we didn’t hesitate to use them to negotiate the lease on our new office building.’
‘Carol Nisbet and Karla Ritchie were professional, clear and knowledgeable, and provided excellent advice to conclude the office lease.’
Principaux clients
Knight Frank Investment Management
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
abrdn
Equinor
Flotation Energy
Amp Energy
Fugro
EnQuest plc
SSE
Opportunity North East
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Opportunity North East in relation to the acquisition and development of the £27m Seedpod development in Aberdeen.
- Acted on behalf of Knight Frank Investment Management on the £7.9m sale of Paton’s Mill Retail Park.
- Advising Amp Energy on their £900m portfolio of battery storage projects in Scotland.
Aberdein Considine
Aberdein Considine offers sales, leaseback and acquisition advice to clients across a variety of industries, including the hospitality, energy and financial services sectors. The team is led by Paul Jennings. In Aberdeen, Gemma Perfect has a wealth of property knowledge spanning lease negotiations, portfolio acquisitions and deed preparations, aided by the broad skillset of Lindsey McDiarmid. McDiarmid is experienced with both domestic and cross border transactions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Paul Jennings
Autres avocats clés:
Gemma Perfect; Lindsay McDiarmid
Les références
‘The practice is responsive to deadlines. It pulled out all the stops to meet a very tight deadline imposed by the opposite side. It was efficient, gave value for money and was able to provide information and deal with problems at the first time of asking.’
‘There is strength and depth in the department, meaning other colleagues can pick up the baton in someone’s absence.’
‘We worked with Gemma Perfect and Lindsay McDiarmid and found them friendly, approachable and pragmatic when required. They were solution-focused, demonstrated attention to detail.’
Principaux clients
Handelsbanken plc
Kiko Milano
Greggs Plc
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
@SIPP (Pension Trustees) Limited
Curtis Bank Limited
G.S. Brown Construction Limited
James F Donald (Aberdeen Cinemas) Limited
Santander UK plc
Indigo Sun Retail Limited
Xeretec Limited
Enterprise North East Trust Limited
CHAP Group
Leeds Building Society
Precision Pumping and Metering Limited
Concept Group Plc
Swellfix UK Ltd
Dunster House Limited
Grapetree Limited / JG Foods Limited
Inverurie Distillery Co
Norsea Group (UK) Ltd
Dales Marine Services Limited
MHA
Mattioli Woods Plc
City Restoration Project Ltd
Integrity ISS
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Handelsbanken plc in relation to various finance transactions across a mix of industrial, residential and development properties in the North-East of Scotland, Moray and Highlands.
- Advised MAWM Limited in relation to the acquisition of The Stag Hotel.
- Advised Kevin Cuthbert Personal Training in relation to the acquisition of The Rodney, Perth.
Blackadders LLP
Blackadders LLP is known for its expertise in transactional and developmental property work, with the team being led by the ‘excellent’ Neil Robb. The group often advises on land acquisitions, lease management mandates and portfolio sales. Robb is particularly active on student accommodation-related mandates in Aberdeen, while Emma Gray advises local housebuilders and developers on construction sites. ‘Outstanding technical lawyer’ John Elder has a great deal of cross border expertise, and Leanne Hill joined the firm from Pinsent Masons LLP in June 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Neil Robb
Autres avocats clés:
Emma Gray; Leanne Hill; John Elder
Les références
‘John Elder is an outstanding technical lawyer and project manager. Blackadders are very competitive on the fee front so this is a very strong but cost effective solution.’
‘John Elder is an outstanding technical lawyer and project manager.’
‘Neil Robb is excellent. Pragmatic in his approached, completely transparent on his fees, responds quickly to questions with solid answers.’
Principaux clients
Wood Leisure Limited
Dixons Industrial Holdings 2 Limited
A & J Stephen Limited
Springfield Properties PLC
Salvation Army Trading Company Limited
James Hay Pension Trustees Limited
Curtis Banks
Morris Leslie Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for Wood Leisure Limited in the acquisition of a trading holiday park as a going concern
- Representing Dixons Industrial Holdings 2 Limited in the sale of a multi-let business park as a going concern
- Acting for A & J Stephen Limited in the Sale of various remaining land at the subjects, for development by Kirkwood Homes
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP boasts a strong track record in the energy and retail sectors, advising on complex project development matters for domestic companies, multi-national corporations and public sector entities. The practice is led by Paul Connolly and Rona Kostulin, who stands out for her expertise in matters concerning both traditional and renewable energy projects. Michael Shepherd is a key figure within the practice, and Leanne Hill left the firm in June 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rona Kostulin; Paul Connolly
Autres avocats clés:
Michael Shepherd
Les références
‘Comprehensive service in development land and planning, able to mobilise industry experts at short notice.’
‘Consistent performance and dogged determination to get a very complicated deal over the line.’
‘Michael Shepherd has ably stepped up. With good attention to detail, his legal drafting of complex contracts is admired.’
Principaux clients
Aker Solutions Group
Winchburgh Developments Limited
Cala Management Limited
Port of Aberdeen
Ropemaker Properties Limited
William Grant & Sons Limited
The Wemyss Trust
Albert Bartlett & Sons (Airdrie) Limited
Railpen via Gretna Gateway Outlet Village General Partner Limited
Almond Valley Ltd
China Triumph International Engineering
Muller UK & Ireland Group LLP
Azets Holdings Limited
BDW Trading Limited
Avant Homes
Persimmon Homes Limited
Bellway Homes Limited
Oakridge Property Limited
Robertson Homes Limited
Bancon Group Limited
The Governors of Dollar Academy
Hines
Santander UK plc
Costco Wholesale Uk Ltd
Wheatley Housing Group Limited
BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
Drax Generation Developments Limited
EDF Renewables
PS Renewables
Tribus Clean Energy
Recurrent
Downing Renewables
Aker Solutions Group
Winchburgh Developments Limited
Cala Management Limited
Port of Aberdeen
Ropemaker Properties Limited
William Grant & Sons Limited
The Wemyss Trust
Albert Bartlett & Sons (Airdrie) Limited
Railpen via Gretna Gateway Outlet Village General Partner Limited
Almond Valley Ltd
China Triumph International Engineering
Muller UK & Ireland Group LLP
Azets Holdings Limited
BDW Trading Limited
Avant Homes
Persimmon Homes Limited
Bellway Homes Limited
Oakridge Property Limited
Robertson Homes Limited
Bancon Group Limited
The Governors of Dollar Academy
Hines
Santander UK plc
Costco Wholesale Uk Ltd
Wheatley Housing Group Limited
BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
Drax Generation Developments Limited
EDF Renewables
PS Renewables
Tribus Clean Energy
Recurrent
Downing Renewables
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Winchburgh Developments Limited in the ongoing development of the 3,500 unit Winchburgh Village, West Lothian.
- Advised Almond Valley Ltd on the completion of the sale of the first development parcel of their development at Almond Valley, Perth to Barratt.
- Advised Shawfair LLP on the disposal of a 220 unit residential development site at Shawfair, Edinburgh to Miller.
Thorntons Law LLP
The commercial property team at Thorntons Law LLP is particularly active across Dundee and the Scottish Highlands. The practice, which is led by Gary Thomas, excels at handling retail, investment and charity matters. Kyle Moir often advises on the reviews of leases, while Paul Adams has a strong knowledge of real estate acquisitions. Janet MacIntyre and Nicola McCafferty are both key names of note within the practice.
Responsables de la pratique:
Gary Thomas
Autres avocats clés:
Janet MacIntyre; Vicki Alexander; Kyle Moir; Paul Adams; Nicola McCafferty
Les références
‘A very approachable and easy to deal with team, they are easy to contact and know our estate very well.’
‘Vicki Alexander is always incredibly responsive, she always makes an effort to come back with updates and advice.’
‘Really easy to deal with, they explain the law in layman’s terms and do not overcomplicate matters.’
Principaux clients
Imperial Tobacco Pension Trustees Limited
Imperial Investments Limited
Subway Real Estate Limited
Scotch Whisky International Real Estate Limited
Lothian Park LLP
Scottish Building Society
Sight Scotland
Eden Project International Limited
Eastacre St Andrews
Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust
Walter Davidson & Sons Limited & Others
YORSIPP Pension Trustees
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Subway on leasing of stores Scotland wide, on sites including high street retail units, shopping mall units and retail park units. Due to the turnover linked and indexation positions detailed in the leases the transactions are often complicated from a rent and LBTT position.
- Acted for Eastacre in the acquisition of a unique development site within a listed wall in the historic town of St Andrews. Advised on the purchase and finance of a brownfield former gas works site in St Andrews, including advising clients in respect of access issues, environmental issues and listed building status.
- Acted on behalf of Letham 4 All SCIO, which purchased a community hub building from a local authority following its transformation after completion of major renovation and refurbishment works. The property is situated in a deprived area of Perth and will offer a suite of new, much-needed facilities for everyone local community.
Harper Macleod LLP
Harper Macleod LLP has a particularly strong presence in the Scottish Highlands, regularly advising on transactional real estate matters. The practice, which is led by Ross Thomson, handles a great deal of leasing work, and is adept at advising on inward investments, land sales and property due diligence. Thomson is very active in the healthcare and housebuilding sectors, while Andrew Kerr is well known for his work involving Shetland. Other key members of the practice include Kathryn Black and Euan Bowie.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ross Thomson
Autres avocats clés:
Andrew Kerr; Kathryn Black; Euan Bowie
Principaux clients
Brightstars Nurseries Group
Camlin Group
Capstone Construction Scotland Limited
Compass Construction and Building Services Limited
DFDS Logistics Limited
G & A Barnie Group
Gael Force Group
Homes Farms
Independent VetCare Limited
James Keiller Property Group
MacDonald & Muir Limited (property company of Glenmorangie Whisky)
MacMillan Spirts Co. Ltd
Ocean Kinetics Limited
Orbital Express Launch Limited
Upland Group
Jacobite Cruises Limited
Scotia Homes Group
Shetland Amenity Trust
Springfield Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advised MacMillan Spirits Co. Ltd in relation to their lease and financing of a newly constructed whisky distillery in Benbecula to be operated by the client.
- Acted for Orbital Express Launch Limited and their subsidiary Sutherland Spaceports Limited in all property matters relating to their proposed spaceport in Sutherland and launch operations in Saxa Vord, Shetland.
- Acted for Tulloch Homes Limited and Argyll Developments (Scotland) Limited (both part of the Springfield Group) in various site disposals for the affordable housing and mid-market rental to Highland Housing Alliance and the Highland Council.
Ledingham Chalmers LLP
The ‘agile’ team at Ledingham Chalmers LLP assists property developers and investors, advising on tenant relocation, commercial leases and high value acquisitions. John Mitchell is particularly active in the energy sector, assisting clients with portfolio management and sub-leasing matters, while Alan Michie is noted for his expertise in construction and house building issues. In 2024, David Scott retired and Steve Morrice moved into a consultancy role.
Responsables de la pratique:
John Mitchell
Autres avocats clés:
Alan Richie; Mhari Michie; Graeme Myles
Les références
‘They have experienced and very capable professionals in the team who are focussed on our business needs and provide advice and support across a range of projects.’
‘We receive a professional and fuss-free service from the Ledingham Chalmers team.’
‘Alan Michie, John Mitchell and Mhari Michie are the key individuals who deal with our business and they work closely as a team and ensure we are delivered an integrated service. The quality of support is excellent and appropriate guidance, counsel and advice is provided focussed on our requirements.’
Principaux clients
ANM Group Limited
Campbell Dickson
Claymore Homes Limited
Kirkwood Homes Limited
PB Development Limited
Pipeline Technique Limited
Prosafe Offshore Limited
Schlumberger Oilfield UK Limited
Wickman Hotels Limited
Wood