Planning: Scotland

This team's recent highlights include handling an appeal against a refusal of planning permission on behalf of Shore Energy. Sources praise it as a "team of very high-calibre planning lawyers who offer extremely practical advice based on extensive experience in the field."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Team head Neil Collar is recognised as one of Scotland's leading lawyers; sources describe him as "a force to be reckoned with" who is "a notable asset to any team." Clients appreciate Alison Polson for her ability to "help us focus on what we need to achieve without letting legalese get in the way." Interviewees praise Karen Hamilton's "hands-on advice." She continues to handle a significant amount of compulsory purchase order (CPO) work.

This team continues to work on the Trump case, having recently successfully defended a challenge against the grant of planning permission. It has also been advising ASDA on a store in Inverness. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS One source says of former Lord Advocate Colin Boyd QC: "There's no doubting his pedigree; he is an excellent figurehead to bring out." Ann Faulds leads the group and has a depth of experience across the board, including strategy and advice, agreements, development management and judicial reviews. Trudi Craggs works with both public and private sector clients on the whole range of planning issues. She is particularly admired for her "excellent problem-solving skills." 

This full-service planning team has an increasing workload in the renewables sector, with a particular emphasis on wind farm projects. Interviewees commend its "knowledge, experience, commercial awareness and excellent team skills at all levels."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The highly regarded Colin Innes and Ewan Macleod continue to deal with the planning issues surrounding Sainsbury's expansion in Scotland. 

This Scottish firm has recently welcomed the lawyers and staff from Bell & Scott to its team. The group covers the entire spectrum of planning services, including permissions, appeals, CPOs and judicial reviews. Clients include Scottish Government/Transport Scotland, Dundas Development and University of Stirling. Sources agree that it "is a broad-based law firm with a wide range of expertise; it provides an excellent service." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alastair McKie has been involved in a public inquiry that concerns road orders and CPOs on behalf of Transport Scotland.

This team maintains its role as adviser to Aberdeenshire Council on the high-profile Trump golf course. Other clients include ScottishPower, Selfridges and Stewart Milne Group. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "extremely able and great to work with" Murray Shaw offers a wide range of expertise in the area, with an especial focus on housing-related issues. Martin Sales continues to garner recognition for his energy, minerals and waste work.

This Aberdeen-based group has a significant reach throughout Scotland. It is particularly well known for its construction work, and it is lauded as a "thoughtful, progressive and tactical" team of lawyers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department chair Elaine Farquharson-Black offers vast experience and a "calm and steady approach." Bruce Smith is a consultant to the practice. Interviewees hold his expertise in high regard, particularly where it concerns public inquiries and appeals. Clients admire Theresa Hunt for her "great communication and research skills," adding: "She identifies the solutions quickly."  

This Edinburgh-based team's expertise in European legislation has proved useful of late when handling matters concerning environmental and wildlife law, such as its recent work on a proposed onshore wind farm.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Louise Cockburn has extensive experience of the development process and is praised for "knowing her stuff inside out." One appreciative client comments that "she is a tough fighter; you want her on your side." 

This team has been advising Transport Scotland on several matters, including CPOs. Clients are quick to praise its "flexibility, adaptability and ingenuity." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sandy Telfer is highly respected for his "grasp of the legal implications of planning agreements and obligations." He has recently been involved in two public inquiries on behalf of Composite Energy.

This group acts for both private and public sector clients, and has seen a particular uptick in work on behalf of developers of late. Sources laud the "practical and solution-based advice" the team provides.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gillian Simpson is head of planning in Scotland. 

This team offers the full range of planning services, and has been advising an increasing flow of energy sector clients, such as its work for ScottishPower Generation in relation to changing a power station to a gas-fired station.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ranking debutant Moray Thomson is qualified as both a planner and a solicitor, and sources agree that "his background in planning adds value to his service by enabling him to quickly and easily identify the relevant issues."

This group is a one-stop shop for all planning matters, with an emphasis on infrastructure and energy. It has been working on a proposed carbon capture system on behalf of ScottishPower Generation.

On 1st May 2012, McGrigors merged with Pinsent Masons. The resulting entity now trades as Pinsent Masons LLP.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Craig Connal QC splits his time between the Glasgow and Edinburgh offices and gains recognition for his "superb" advocacy skills.  

This group counts a significant amount of big-name retailers amongst its client roster, including Tesco, Nike and Cotswold Outdoor. Recent highlights include advising Ayrshire Power on a power station.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sarah Baillie has recently joined the firm from Pinsent Masons. She is a qualified planner who handles both contentious and non-contentious planning matters. Kenneth Carruthers is also a dual-qualified lawyer and planner, and interviewees consider his "incredibly talented and commercial mind" to be a great asset. Group head June Gilles is known for her role advising an array of clients, including developers, landowners and public bodies. She is particularly well versed in wind farms.