Dundas & Wilson remains a leading player on the Scottish construction scene, handling both contentious and non-contentious work. The firm acts for a diverse range of clients including Barr, Scottish & Southern Energy, Balfour Beatty, Clydesdale Bank and the University of Edinburgh.
Client Service "The speed of response is one of the main reasons for going back to Dundas & Wilson - they always get back to you quickly."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Alistair McLean is a non-contentious construction specialist. He recently advised Forth Valley Colleges on a campus development, and he has also represented Trump International on its golf course development within the Menie Estate in Aberdeen. Lindy Patterson QC heads the construction practice, and remains busy on a range of construction disputes. She made silk in 2010. Louise Shiels is a highly regarded associate. Clients say she is "very proactive, very effective and will go the extra mile."
MacRoberts handles both contentious and non-contentious work for a range of employers, contractors, suppliers, funders and insurers. The team handles a significant volume of education and health sector work, as well as receiving a number of infrastructure and projects instructions. In the contentious sphere, the firm houses expertise in all aspects of dispute resolution, including arbitration, mediation and adjudication. Key clients of the firm include Amec, Balfour Beatty and British Energy.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Neil Kelly heads the construction group. He handles all manner of construction disputes, and he recently acted for a major contractor in multimillion-pound claims arising from defects in a waste water treatment works. His colleague David Arnott also specialises in the handling of contentious construction issues. His recent workload includes representing a leading contractor in a £5 million dispute relating to a framework agreement for the repair and reinstatement of electricity cables. David Henderson has represented Forthspan in its bid to take on the contract for a new Firth of Forth cable-stayed bridge. He is highly regarded for his handling of procurement and projects work. Leading partners Craig Turnbull and Shona Frame are both recognised for their expertise on contentious construction matters. Meanwhile Richard Barrie handles contracts and disputes work for a range of contractors, and his expertise also extends to construction related insolvency work.
Pinsent Masons houses a formidable construction team in its Edinburgh and Glasgow offices. The team is present on some of the largest construction transactions in the Scottish market, and it also handles high-value contentious matters. Major clients of the firm include Diageo, Balfour Beatty and Amec. The firm recently benefited through a merger with construction powerhouse McGrigors, which has a particularly strong contentious construction practice.
Client Service "I never have any hesitation in picking up the phone - they give us value for advice before they even start to bill. Very user-friendly and keen to maintain the relationship."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Leading practitioner Fraser McMillan is regarded as a "good solid performer" in this sphere. Alastair Morrison is known for his handling of procurement and projects work as well as construction disputes. "He is really experienced and knows our business very well," comments one client. Joint group head Kenny Valentine has recently advised Morrison Construction on its bid for Forth Replacement Crossing contracts. Julia Maguire provides clients with "excellent support and advice through to the close." She acted for Morgan Sindall as contractor on the £100 million Tayside Mental Health Developments PPP. Michael Allan is a joint head of the group. He led the team advising Morrison Construction. Louise Forster impresses clients with her "high level of commitment and competence." Colin Fraser headed contentious construction team at legacy firm McGrigors. He has handled a number of construction disputes recently, including a significant volume of adjudications. Brandon Nolan is "very authoritative and very pleasant to deal with." He recently acted for City Inn in relation to a dispute over extension of time mechanisms, and also represented BP in connection with the termination provisions of its contract with a drilling contractor. Juliet Haldane handles non-contentious work across the energy, education and leisure sectors. She recently advised The Robert Gordon University on procurement and contracts relating to the £60 million redevelopment of its Garthdee Campus. David Scott also specialises in construction disputes. He represented Galliford Try in a professional negligence action against engineers.
This firm has a strong public sector and education client base, as well as receiving a steady flow of instructions from contractors. The team's work encompasses both contentious and non-contentious instructions spanning the health, education, sport and infrastructure sectors.
Client Service "They always provide a quick service and good turnaround. Our confidence in their advice has been built up over a period of time."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Fenella Mason heads the construction and projects group at Burness, and she has a loyal client base who value her expertise and knowledge in the field. She recently acted for CEMEX in its contractual dispute with Amey over road maintenance contracts. Chris Mackay is an expert in the projects sphere, and he has recently advised a number of public sector clients, including the stakeholders in the procurement process for the South East Area Hub. Glasgow-based Gavin Paton has a strong reputation for his advice to leading construction and engineering suppliers. Sandra Cassels handles a range of disputes work, including arbitration, mediation and adjudication. She recently acted for a Credential subsidiary, London & Scottish Property Management, in its defence of a claim for payment. James Forbes has been advising Glasgow City Council in connection with contracts for the Commonwealth Games National Indoor Sports Arena. He also has considerable expertise in the field of renewable energy.
The construction group at Maclay Murray & Spens spans the firm's Glasgow and Edinburgh offices. It handles a range of contentious and non-contentious work, including significant instructions in the education, housing, sport and energy sectors. Recent work highlights include advising Hibernian FC on a stadium redevelopment, and acting for Clyde Gateway URC on infrastructure contracts relating to its urban regeneration project in Glasgow.
KEY INDIVIDUALS According to one client Jonathan Broome's "advice is invaluable in forming my decision." He recently advised R&D Construction Group in a breach of contract case against Hallam Land Management, heard in the Court of Session. Head of department Mark Macaulay is noted for his ability to meet clients' specific needs: "He has a great understanding of what it is we require of him. He has a clear grasp of our aversion to risk and that manifests itself in the finished contract." Kirsti Olsen is an up-and-coming partner who is recognised for her expertise in construction disputes, especially in the energy sector.
This firm advises a number of core construction industry clients, as well as acting for education and health sector bodies, housing associations, and energy and utility companies. Major clients include the MoD, Sainsbury's and City of Edinburgh Council.
Commercial Awareness "Technically and commercially excellent, their experience shines through and makes the client experience superb. They have an understanding of our business objectives and they are seen as an integral part of the business team."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Kevin Taylor remains a leader in this field. He handles non-contentious work and has recently represented clients on a range of renewable energy projects. Iain Drummond is particularly noted for his contentious construction work. Clients "trust him implicitly," and appreciate his commitment to cases. Clients appreciate Euan McLeod's strategic overview of matters. He has recently advised Aggreko on contracts relating to a new manufacturing facility and offices.
This firm acts on both contracts and disputes for a range of public sector clients, house-building companies, and major corporates. Anderson Strathern recently merged with Bell & Scott, consequently expanding its construction offering by taking on most of that firm's team.
Client Service "The team has provided a good and proactive service and has addressed issues and queries promptly and in good detail."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Keith Bishop has recently acted on a number of major development projects, including Edinburgh Napier University's £78 million campus redevelopment. He also advises on contentious matters.
Biggart Baillie's construction offering ties in to its strong corporate and property departments. The firm's non-contentious work spans the transport, energy and retail sectors, as well as the public sector - clients include North Highland College and Babcock International Group. On the contentious side, the group is advising on a number of potential and current contract and negligence disputes for key industry clients.
Client Service "They are prompt, reliable and always accessible."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Murray Shaw is joint head of the construction group. He is renowned for his handling of construction disputes, and has experience in adjudications and arbitrations.
Brodies' construction team acts for a broad range of clients including major corporate entities, public sector bodies, banks and contractors. The firm has acted for a number of clients on disputes concerning design defects and builders' negligence. On the non-contentious side it has recently advised both LXB Properties and Midlothian Council on separate issues surrounding construction procurement.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Finlay is noted for his ability to handle matters efficiently and "balance the risk profile" in construction contracts. Up-and-coming partner Manus Quigg is regarded as "very professional and strong on communication."
HBJ Gateley remains a popular choice for clients seeking advice across a broad range of construction matters. The firm has recently advised on a number of energy, social housing and public procurement issues. Key clients include BT and Allied Irish Banks.
Commercial Awareness "They consistently offer a commercial approach and are good business partners."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Frazer Wardhaugh and Anne Struckmeier are key contacts.
This firm houses a highly regarded construction practice in its Aberdeen and Inverness offices. The team's workload extends to projects and building contracts litigation, as well as non-contentious development and procurement work. Recently the firm has continued to advise the contractor Robertson in a Commercial Court action relating to the Aberdeenshire Schools PPP2 project
KEY INDIVIDUALS Operating out of the firm's Aberdeen office, lead partner Jennifer Young is praised for her "integrity, breadth of knowledge, and clarity of thought and purpose." Her colleague in this office, Sarah Stuart, acts on both contentious and non-contentious work and is recognised for her expertise in adjudication and mediation. Inverness-based associate Roddy Cormack has worked alongside Young on a number of matters, including advising Morrison Construction, as contractor on the development of an IT hub facility. Cormack is noted for his particular expertise in public procurement.
This firm's construction group handles a significant volume of work involving insurance, insolvency and renewable energy aspects. The team has recently acted for a number of insurers on issues arising from property damage, and defective design and workmanship. Its lawyers have been involved in the preparation of SBCC 2011, and they have also assisted Trowers & Hamlins in the adaptation of standard form contracts for use in Scotland. Clients appreciate the "excellent partner-level contact" they receive from the firm, as well as its provision of an "excellent level of service and legal advice."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients consider group head Ann O'Connell to be "very thorough and extremely helpful." She is a key partner advising Triodos Bank on the construction aspects of its lending for renewable energy projects in Scotland.
The construction team at Semple Fraser has considerable expertise across a range of contentious and non-contentious work, and it has recently seen an increase in the volume of work in the fields of regeneration and student accommodation. The firm has also been kept busy with instructions from key client Tesco. It has recently acted for the joint venture Ardrossan North Shore in relation to the £70 million regeneration of a former Shell refinery site.
Commercial Awareness "They are always prepared to discuss commercial issues - not just advise, but discuss thoughts on the matter. They are also good at transmitting what is important and what can be left - they relate the legal to the specific project."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Stuart Macfarlane is experienced in both contentious and non-contentious construction matters. His recent workload has included the provision of advice to Europools in connection with contracts for the London Olympics pools, as well as the refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh.
Gareth Parry of DLA Piper Scotland LLP specialises in real estate developments, utilities and energy-related work. He recently acted for Scottish Water on its £60 million Meadowhead and Stevenson project to transfer storm overflows from Irvine and Kilmarnock towards the Meadowhead waste water treatment works.
Jonathan Seddon of Morton Fraser handles a range of non-contentious work, acting for developers, contractors and funders. Recent work highlights include acting for Historic Scotland on an infrastructure development including a visitor centre at the site of the Battle of Bannockburn.
Chris Arnold of Paull & Williamsons LLP maintains his reputation as a leading lawyer in the construction field. He shares his time between the firm's Edinburgh and Aberdeen offices, and he handles a range of work including building contracts, facilities management and procurement matters.
Michael Conroy heads up the construction group at Harper Macleod LLP. He is recognised as having "
the essential abilities of being able to articulate to a client the processes involved in the matter in hand, and to give the client confidence and reassurance."
Brandon Malone recently joined McClure Naismith LLP from Bell & Scott. He is noted for his handling of contentious construction matters.
Andrew Renton recently joined Bird & Bird from Dundas & Wilson. He is a solicitor advocate who also handles a high volume of contentious construction work. He is noted for his "
tactical approach" to matters.
Claudia Barron recently joined CMS from HBJ Gateley. She is a highly regarded associate, focusing upon the contractual side of construction law. Napthens'
Tricia Morrison is a recent arrival from HBJ Gateley and is noted for her directness and clarity of her advice:
"Her style is unequivocal - she gives advice rather than gives options. She addresses matters positively and tells me which option to take." She handles both contentious and non-contentious matters.