‘Combining “Magic Circle” expertise and a depth of service on a national level’, Addleshaw Goddard‘s practice continues to act on a variety of high-profile insolvency and corporate recovery mandates, and possesses one of the pre-eminent restructuring offerings in the market. Group lead Jamie McIntosh ‘delivers first-class service’ across insolvencies and restructurings and retains close connections to an enviable roster of financial institutions and insolvency practitioners. Tim Cooper
‘has excellent knowledge in the areas where insolvency and environmental legislation overlaps’ and is routinely instructed on both contentious and non-contentious matters, while Addi Spiers is highly reputed for her work in the distressed real estate space. Emma Widdowson provides further corporate restructuring capabilities, especially in regard to UK clearing banks, and Courtney Clelland is singled out by clients as a key name to note.
Insolvency and corporate recovery in Scotland
Addleshaw Goddard
Practice head(s):
Jamie McIntosh
Other key lawyers:
Tim Cooper; Addi Spiers; Emma Widdowson; Courtney Clelland
Testimonials
‘Large and experienced team that covers a wider range of restructuring mandates and have consistently invested in the team’.
‘Jamie McIntosh and Courtney Clelland are both excellent. Highly experienced, commercial, pragmatic and always available throughout a long project. It was a pleasure to work with Jamie, Courtney and the entire team at AG. ’
‘The AG team have real strength in depth, with a highly skilled and experienced team. I consider them at the very top of the Scottish insolvency and restructuring legal market.’
‘Jamie McIntosh really invests in his client relationships and consistently strives to deliver first class service and to collaborate for mutual benefit.’
‘Tim Cooper has excellent knowledge in the areas where insolvency and environmental legislation overlaps. Leads the focus on debt purchasers and has strong relationships in that space.’
‘Addleshaws combines “Magic Circle” expertise and a depth of service on a national level. Easily one of the best national law firms I have ever dealt with. Wonderful partners with a great way with people.’
‘Addi Spears and Jamie McIntosh are both fantastic. Incredibly friendly and warm while still being so knowledgeable. I can imagine they are both an absolute pleasure to work with.’
‘An extensive team with specialty in both contentious and non-contentious work including restructuring work. The individuals at AG are highly trained and very capable at their jobs. Their analysis of cases is first-rate.’
Key clients
Lloyds Banking Group
The Royal Bank Of Scotland / NatWest
Santander Bank
Clydesdale Bank PLC/ Virgin Money
HSBC
Barclays Bank plc
Interpath Limited
Cynergy Bank
Cable Capital Partners Limited
Scottish Enterprise
Work highlights
- Acted for Ernst & Young LLP as Administrators of Mar Estates Limited.
- Acting for FRP Advisory, as Administrators of Trinity House Paintings Ltd.
- Acting for Kroll LLP as administrators of various RoyaleLife Group companies.
Brodies LLP
The ‘multi-faceted team‘ at Brodies LLP is ‘vastly experienced in larger and more complex restructuring and insolvency assignments, both locally in the Scottish market and cross-border’. The firm is acting on varied restructurings across all levels, and has witnessed an increased stream of complex personal insolvency mandates from a swathe of high-net-worth individuals. Team lead Lucy McCann is lauded as ‘one of the best insolvency lawyers in Scotland’ and is well equipped to act on both corporate and personal insolvency matters, as well as contentious proceedings. Fellow team lead Peter Kelly chiefly focuses on restructurings and works with a national portfolio of entities, while Elaine Petterson is recognised for her work in the real estate space, often overseeing the acquisition and disposal of non-performing loan portfolios. Shirley Li-Ting excels at cross-border restructurings, and Louise Laing handles corporate recovery matters, while Jamie Nellany is active in the aviation, insurance, and energy sectors. Jennifer Guy is also recommended, and Nicky-Ray Watson, who joined from Harper Macleod LLP in November 2023, acts for high net-worth clients.
Practice head(s):
Lucy McCann; Peter Kelly
Other key lawyers:
Elaine Petterson; Shirley Li-Ting; Louise Laing; Jamie Nellany; Nicky-Ray Watson; Jennifer Guy
Testimonials
‘They are a multi-faceted team with all the skills and knowledge required to deal with any problem you may have. They provide efficient, timely advice and have the resources and capabilities to deal with any issue – from debt recovery to complex cross border matters. ’
‘Lucy McCann is one of the best insolvency lawyers in Scotland. Knows everything there is to know about insolvency and restructuring.’
‘The team work exceptionally well together, always bringing the correct skills mix to each issue and giving clear advice and taking decisive action when agreed. They become an extension of my team and are one of the best legal teams I have worked with in my career.’
‘Vastly experienced in larger and more complex restructuring and insolvency assignments, both locally in the Scottish market and cross-border.’
‘Louise Laing was approachable and responsive. She had a firm grasp and understanding of the position we were faced with and acted conscientiously in communicating with the other party in order to try to resolve matters.’
‘Jamie Nellany is very reactive and gives good advice in a timely manner. Lucy McCann is well versed in the requirements of the market alongside Shirley Li-Ting who has great expertise in the market.’
‘Brodies has one of the leading Restructuring / Dispute Resolution practices in Scotland, with talented lawyers from Partner to Associate level. The team is at the forefront of insolvency law, always willing to assist clients in seeking to enhance a recovery with a high level of commercial awareness.’
Key clients
Sportsdirect.com
Interpath Advisory
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
FRP
Teneo
Johnston Carmichael
Grant Thornton LLP
Smith & Williamson LLP
Burness Paull LLP
Burness Paull LLP has a ‘market leading team that is a force to be reckoned with in the Scottish restructuring and insolvency market’, possessing a vast contentious and non-contentious offering. The widely lauded Michael Thomson spearheads the team and has overseen a number of high-profile restructurings across a vast array of sectors, including the real estate, infrastructure, food and drink, financial services, and retail industries. The ‘highly respected’ Allana Sweeney’s far reaching practice is largely concentrated on non-contentious issues, while Gary Moffat is the first port-of-call for clients seeking litigation expertise, often working closely with Sophia Harrison. Fiona Carlin, Claire McKellar, and Riccardo Alonzi are also key names that contribute to the practice.
Practice head(s):
Michael Thomson
Other key lawyers:
Allana Sweeney; Gary Moffat; Sophia Harrison; Fiona Carlin; Claire McKellar; Riccardo Alonzi
Testimonials
‘The Burness Paull restructuring and insolvency team is excellent. They are available, engaged, on top of the market and super user friendly. They are also solution orientated and client focused. They are very much a “go to” firm for Scottish R&I work. ’
‘Allana Sweeney is visible and respected in the market. She provides very competent technical advice delivered in a clear and understandable way, and the advice is always clear and demonstrates technical and sector knowledge.’
‘Key individuals are Michael Thomson and Allana Sweeney. They epitomise the can-do, user friendly and hard working attitude of the team. They make themselves available and always deliver. ’
‘Michael Thomson and Allana Sweeney are very client friendly and to the point. They know when and how to involve the specialist areas and manage an overall transaction.’
‘Michael Thomson has built up a market leading team that is a force to be reckoned with in the Scottish restructuring and insolvency market. The team are wonderful to deal with. They always get what you are trying to achieve and help you get there the best way possible; keeping the legal documents simple but robust.’
‘Michael Thomson is brilliant to deal with. He is my go to person for advice. He has such a lovely way about him. I forget sometimes that he is my lawyer and not a trusted friend. He is robust and takes control when he needs to. He has great strategic and commercial thinking.’
Key clients
Stewart Milne Group
Interpath, as administrators of Lloyds Developments Limited
Heathrow Airport Limited
The shareholders of Hunter Boot Limited
Highland Spring Limited
The Insolvency Service
FRP
Alvarez and Marsal
Grant Thornton
Investec Bank plc
Work highlights
- Acting in the administration of Stewart Milne Group.
- Acting for the lender to the owner of the Virgin Hotel building in Glasgow and handling the subsequent administration.
- Acting on the group rationalisation of Heathrow Airport Group.
Morton Fraser MacRoberts
The restructuring and insolvency team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts regularly handles the transactional and contentious side of complex, multi-faceted mandates, with notable expertise in property, pensions, and IP and IT issues. The firm acts for a wide client base, and often receives instructions that require national and international expertise. Alan Meek and Nicola Ross co-lead the practice; the former is noted for his expertise working with distressed companies, particularly in the financial services sector, and the latter has ‘great insolvency experience which can be applied across many sectors’. Leon Breakey has established strength in insolvency disputes, recently handling issues of gratuitous alienations, wrongful trading, and misfeasance. Ian Young is praised as an ‘industry stalwart of the corporate and insolvency arena’ and has an extensive cross-border practice, while Jennifer Andrew is active on contentious mandates.
Practice head(s):
Alan Meek; Nicola Ross
Other key lawyers:
Leon Breakey; Iain Young; Jennifer Andrew
Testimonials
‘Our experience with Morton Fraser MacRoberts has been that they have a wide range of experienced individuals both in Ireland and the UK as well as internationally too. Their knowledge of the specific legal issues at hand is excellent and they have great ability to distil down, what can be extremely complex issues, to the key pertinent points.’
‘We have mainly dealt with one of the partners, Alan Meek. Firstly, Alan is a very personable guy, which really helps in building up a relationship with a key adviser to our business. His knowledge of the financial services industry is excellent. He takes a very practical and more importantly, commercial approach to all issues.’
‘Iain Young is an industry stalwart of the corporate and insolvency arena. Nicola Ross is a lawyer with great insolvency experience which can be applied across many sectors. Alan Meek is extremely good at offering pragmatic solutions to challenging issues with companies in distress.’
Key clients
Trustees of Sandusky Limited Pension Scheme
Ayma IOT Limited
FRP Advisory
Johnston Carmichael
FRP Advisory
CodeClan Limited
Kingston Park House Limited
SLF Realisation Fund Limited
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Shepherd and Wedderburn possesses a team of ‘highly skilled professionals who are the top of their game’ and the group ‘provides excellent advice in distressed situations’. The firm demonstrates expertise across the full array of restructuring and insolvency issues and is well geared to act for a range of clearing banks and financial institutions, insolvency practitioners, directors and distressed companies. Spearheading the team is Fiona McKerrell who is equally skilled acting for both administrators and company directors in sensitive, often multi-jurisdictional insolvencies, while Gillian Carty takes the reins on contentious mandates. Suzanne Knowles ‘is an experienced and trusted adviser’ who is well versed across a range of sectors including the real estate, retail and charity spaces, and Laura McMillan‘s ‘attention to detail and efficient turnaround of work makes her the director of choice’ in relation to contentious instructions. Serena Weir also comes recommended.
Practice head(s):
Fiona McKerrell
Other key lawyers:
Gillian Carty; Suzanne Knowles; Laura McMillan; Serena Weir
Testimonials
‘The insolvency team has a long established team who provide excellent advice in distressed situations.’
‘Fiona McKerrell and her team continue to be the best specialist corporate restructuring offering in Scotland. The depth of experience and understanding of the practical and commercial issues involved in sizeable corporate insolvency and restructuring assignments is unapparelled.’
‘The are highly skilled professionals who are the top of their game.’
‘S&W are a great team. They are technically excellent and really know the law in this area. They are also commercial in their approach, very proactive, 100% reliable and very pleasant and easy to work with. Nothing is too much trouble. Stand out partner is Gillian Carty.’
‘Suzanne Knowles is an experienced and trusted adviser who has provided invaluable support and guidance for our ongoing project. ’
‘S&W have a great team over a number of service lines. They have strength throughout the firm and call upon subject matter experts whenever needed.’
‘Laura McMillan’s attention to detail and efficient turnaround of work makes her the director of choice to handle the complex work we have. Laura is quick to understand the legal issues and implications of a problem and present well reasoned and detailed recommendations which her clients can follow.’
Key clients
Interpath Advisory
FRP Advisory
Ernst and Young
BDO
Alvarez & Marsal
Grant Thornton
Manolete Partners
Henderson Loggie
Leonard Curtis
Azets
Work highlights
- Acted for Azets as administrators of Bridges Antonine LLP in relation to a sale of the Antonine Shopping Centre in Cumbernauld – a trading retail centre with over 40 retail units.
- Advised the directors of Hunter Boot Limited in connection with the administration of the company in June 2023.
- Provided Scots law advice to a group of companies on a landmark complex multijurisdictional strategy involving an English law scheme of arrangement and a parallel Dutch WHOA.
TLT
‘An experienced team with great technical knowledge’, TLT has further strengthened its insolvency and corporate recovery offering through the acquisition of Keith Anderson from Gilson Gray in September 2023, who complements the team's contentious work. The firm has an active lender advisory practice, advising across the whole range of issues, from pre-insolvency proceedings to distress work, as well as extensive experience overseeing the transactional and contentious aspects of insolvencies and restructurings. Team lead Ainslie Benzie, who was promoted to partner in April 2024, is hailed by clients as ‘one of the very best specialist corporate restructuring and insolvency solicitors in Scotland’ and is a foremost point of contact for lenders, corporates, and insolvency practitioners, as well as being the key contact for transactional restructuring matters. Peter McGladrigan handles contentious insolvency work, and Emma Gascoyne-Day supports across the whole gamut of matters.
Practice head(s):
Ainslie Benzie
Other key lawyers:
Keith Anderson; Peter McGladrigan; Emma Gascoyne-Day
Testimonials
‘Most importantly for me is the great communication and regular updates received as the team delivers work for me.’
‘Ainslie Benzie is always available and gives great advice, and gets the work started quickly and with minimum fuss.’
‘Ainslie Benzie has strong advisory and insolvency experience which is applied well in every scenario.’
‘An experienced team with great technical knowledge who always display a willingness to work with insolvency practitioners to deliver results.’
‘Ainslie Benzie really invests in relationships over an extended period. She understands the importance of both first class client service and working together for mutual benefit.’
‘A very capable and responsive team with a huge amount of experience and ability. Excellent partner and director availability and a pragmatic and commercial approach which cuts through difficult issues.’
‘Ainslie Benzie stands out for her level of experience in the restructuring and insolvency sector. She is a pleasure to deal with and brings a lot to the table commercially and from a strategy perspective.’
‘Ainslie Benzie is one of the very best specialist corporate restructuring and insolvency solicitors in Scotland.’
Key clients
FRP Advisory Trading Limited
Leonard Curtis Recovery Limited
Interpath Ltd
Johnston Carmichael LLP
CBW Recovery LLP
Work highlights
- Acting for the joint administrators and liquidators in respect to the insolvency of two group companies which own and operate hotels in Callander, Scotland.
- Instructed by Interpath Ltd to prepare and file papers to appoint joint administrators to Le Chardon D’or Limited.
- Instructed by Johnston Carmichael LLP, to appoint it as administrator of an English incorporated but Edinburgh based developer of tidal energy system called Sustainable Marine Energy Limited.
Anderson Strathern
The insolvency and litigation team at Anderson Strathern is ‘approachable, knowledgeable and professional‘, and well positioned to act on a host of insolvency and corporate recovery matters for financial institutions, key government agencies, and corporates. The firm also continues to be a key port-of-call for personal insolvency issues, and is regularly instructed by insolvency practitioners and financial institutions. Katrina Lumsdaine leads the group and is recognised for her contentious expertise; she has recently represented a number of accountants in bankruptcy proceedings. Gillian Murray is a ‘standout’ adviser who deals with a ‘number of complex matters with a very commercial and practical approach’. Seonaid Sandham is a key name for personal insolvency work, while Eilidh MacEwan, who joined from Gilson Gray in March 2023, focuses on contentious insolvency instructions.
Practice head(s):
Katrina Lumsdaine
Other key lawyers:
Gillian Murray; Seonaid Sandham; Eilidh MacEwan
Testimonials
‘The Insolvency and Litigation Team at Anderson Strathern are approachable, knowledgeable and professional. They are efficient in carrying out instructions and always work with the client in mind. I’ve worked with them both when they are acting for us and also when they are representing clients and they deal with even contentious matters in a way that takes all points of view into consideration.’
‘The stand out Partner for me at Anderson Strathern is Gillian Murray of the Glasgow office. She always acts in a professional manner yet she is approachable and always relatable.’
‘Very capable and responsive team at Anderson Strathern who are very well versed in the restructuring and insolvency market in which we operate. The team are always very quick to respond and show excellent commercial judgement.’
Key clients
HMRC
Accountant in Bankruptcy
French Duncan / AAB
Begbies Traynor (Scotland) LLP
Johnston Carmichael LLP
RSM Tenon
Wylie & Bissett
FRP Advisory
Interpath (formerly KPMG)
Grainger Corporate Rescue and Recovery
CG Recovery Limited
Work highlights
- Advising RSM Tenon, as liquidators of a company, on a very high-value damages claim against a bank in respect of its conduct prior to the insolvency.
- Acting for the Accountant in Bankruptcy in a series of disputes against one individual, including a statutory appeal under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016 and two appeals to the Sheriff Appeal Court.
BBM Solicitors
BBM Solicitors is ‘well recognised within Scotland as being a ‘go-to’ practice when faced with any insolvency issues’. The firm has an active portfolio of work that features cross-border elements; recently, the team has been noticeably active in high-profile fraud cases, complex contentious proceedings, and a growing body of work in the energy and professional services sectors. As a standout lawyer and ‘a genuine insolvency law expert’, Eric Baijal helms the practice and is the chief lead on a wide variety of mandates, particularly contentious work. Jennifer Simpson, operating from Wick, handles many of the non-contentious matters and is strong in corporate and property disposals.
Practice head(s):
Eric Baijal; Jennifer Simpson
Testimonials
‘They actively seek out ways to refer work and have developed a strong referrer base across Scotland and around the world.’
‘Eric Baijal is an effective communicator and gets to the source of the issue with pragmatic and timely responses.’
‘The team is highly specialised and competent in insolvency law and practice.’
Key clients
FRP Advisory
Azets
Quantuma
Johnston Carmichael
RSM
DMH Stallard
Isadore Goldman
AABRS
RG Insolvency
AA+B
Leonard Curtis
Dentons
Fielding a team that is ‘both knowledgeable of the law and aware of the commercial issues in the case at hand’, Dentons leverages its deep bench of multi-disciplinary practitioners across the UK to advise on high-profile insolvency transactions, with established strength in the real estate, construction, public and financial services sectors. The firm also has an active contentious offering, and is often engaged on issues relating to liquidation and administration proceedings. Philip Knight joined the team from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in October 2023 and now leads the practice. Eoghann Green concentrates on insolvency matters, while Jack Mullen is active on contentious instructions.
Practice head(s):
Philip Knight
Other key lawyers:
Eoghann Green; Jack Mullen
Testimonials
‘Every member of the team at Dentons that I have worked with has been both knowledgeable of the law and aware of the commercial issues in the case at hand. The team are innovative and always alive to the need to focus on the client’s objectives.’
‘Eoghann Green is an able lawyer who is both an excellent communicator and a shrewd tactician.’
‘Commercial approach and get the job done in difficult circumstances.’
‘Eoghann Green and his team are a delight that we stumbled across a few years back, when dealing with Scottish Insolvency law, and haven’t had a need to turn back. He is a very good communicator, very commercial in his approach and happy to speak about issues. I have no reservation in recommending Eoghann!’
Key clients
Harwood Private Capital
Leonard Curtis Recovery
BDO
Begbies Traynor
Work highlights
- Advising on all aspects of contingency planning, insolvency options and enforcement in connection with the eventual application to court to appoint administrators to seven companies (five of which were Jersey incorporated) in the Empire cinema chain.
- Acted for Harwood Capital in relation to the restructuring of its debt provided to the Mr Fothergill’s Seeds group.
Harper Macleod LLP
As a ‘very capable and commercial team’ that ‘gets to grips with complex issues quickly‘, Harper Macleod LLP receives a wide array of instructions from major industry players, administrators and bankruptcy trustees, and has recently been active on a number of high-profile restructurings and insolvencies across a wealth of sectors. ‘Stand out’ partner Gordon Hollerin helms the practice and is a key name for banks and financial institutions, administrators and liquidators, and directors. Co-head James Lloyd is a go-to for bankruptcy and personal insolvency work, while Limor Wolfe has a property background which she leverages in the real estate and retail spaces. Fiona Strang‘s corporate know-how is leveraged on a range of insolvency mandates.
Practice head(s):
Gordon Hollerin; James Lloyd
Other key lawyers:
Limor Wolfe; Fiona Strang
Testimonials
‘Strong team led by Gordon Hollerin who were able to deal with short timescales, complex issues and an ability to get stuff done.’
‘Gordon Hollerin knows the market inside out, was able to provide responses to tricky issues in short order and was always responsive.’
‘Vastly experienced partner-led team, with broad cross-sector experience in both corporate restructuring and corporate/personal insolvency.’
‘James Lloyd and Gordon Hollerin are both a pleasure to work with. Both consistently demonstrate excellent technical knowledge and take a pragmatic and commercial approach to the insolvency assignments I have worked with them on. Widely regarded by the insolvency profession as market-leading restructuring and insolvency lawyers.’
‘A very capable and commercial team who are quick to respond, get to grips with complex issues quickly and offer sound advice based on many years of experience in the insolvency and restructuring sector. Partner availability is never an issue but equally more junior members of the team show an excellent level of knowledge and ability.’
‘Gordon Hollerin stands out as a Partner with a huge amount of experience and who has a practical approach that cuts through difficult issues quickly.’
‘Gordon Hollerin and his team (including service lines that compliment the Restructuring and Insolvency team) are very good to work with. The advice and support received is excellent, including on urgent and time-critical assignments.’
‘James Lloyd is extremely experienced and knowledgeable regarding all matters of insolvency, with a special expertise on personal insolvency. He is responsive and user-friendly.’
Key clients
Stewart Milne Group Limited
SGZ Cononish Limited
Mackays Stores (Holdings) Limited
Interpath Ltd
BDO LLP
FRP Advisory Trading Limited
Azets
David Urquhart (Travel) Group
Findlay Hamilton
Leonard Curtis
Work highlights
- Providing pre-administration advice followed by appointment of administrators to Stewart Milne Group Limited, leading UK housebuilder.
- Advising in relation to the restructure of SGZ Cononish Limited, Scotland’s only goldmine.
- Advising the administrators on the high-profile insolvency of Tayside Aviation Limited.
Shoosmiths
Shoosmiths LLP utilises ‘intellectual prowess’ to effectively navigate ‘complex legal challenges’, and act for trustees, administrators, corporates, and high-net-worth individuals on a variety of issues in the insolvency and restructurings space. The firm has seen a noticeable uptick in litigation instructions, and team lead Stuart Clubb, who is lauded by clients as ‘one of best insolvency lawyers working in Scotland today’ with a ‘brilliant technical mind’, has established himself as a key litigation lawyer for insolvency practitioners. Andrew Foyle, another esteemed litigator, is active on a broad range of mandates including conducting examinations, assessing the validity of administrator appointments, and initiating court action of the behalf of trustees and company directors.
Practice head(s):
Stuart Clubb
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Foyle
Testimonials
‘UK wide practice with the ability to deal with any insolvency or restructuring matter quickly, commercially and proficiently.’
‘Stuart Clubb is a brilliant technical mind, who is always up to speed on all the latest developments in the insolvency and restructuring world. Approachable and takes a commercial, collaborative approach to any matters in order to provide the best solution for all parties. Stuart would be one of my first stops for any complex insolvency matters and without a doubt is one of best insolvency lawyers working in Scotland today.’
‘The Shoosmiths’ team have a solid foundation of knowledge in the sector, which puts them ahead in terms of practical ability.’
‘Shoosmiths is a legal firm that combines a friendly demeanor with strong intellectual prowess which presents a unique blend that sets it apart in the competitive landscape of dispute resolution. This makes for an enjoyable client experience knowing that the firm can navigate complex legal challenges successfully.’
‘Stuart Clubb has a unique blend of accessibility, intellectual acumen and an extensive network. He ensures that his approachability does not compromise the depth and sharpness of his legal strategies. This ability to demystify complex legal processes and communicate them in an understandable manner distinguishes him from many of his competitors.’
‘Stuart Clubb, who heads up the insolvency team, is very knowledgeable about insolvency law which is very important for us when instructing solicitors. He is an excellent litigator, responsive and proactive. A pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Manolete Partners Plc
AAB
French Duncan
Grant Thornton
Johnston Carmichael
Interpath
Azets
Begbies Traynor
Middlebrooks
Work highlights
- Acting on behalf of Administrators in the disposal of a property portfolio comprising a number of commercial properties and development land.
- Acting on behalf of the leading insolvency claims acquisition company in the pursuit of a high value claim against a former director for misfeasance and breach of director’s duties.
- Acting in the liquidation of a high-profile Scottish charity.
Aberdein Considine
Aberdein Considine ‘has an impressive team that attracts a high quality of work’ from a roster of UK-wide banks and financial institutions, insolvency practitioners, and corporates, handling both contentious and non-contentious pre and post-appointment insolvency mandates. The firm also regularly undertakes complex restructurings, which is a key feature of practice head Ross Webb‘s far-reaching remit. Webb is noted for his ‘thorough’ and ‘commercially minded approach’ to lender advisory, transactional and litigation work, and often works closely with Karen Little, who acts on complex property issues and property disposal matters.
Practice head(s):
Ross Webb
Other key lawyers:
Karen Little
Testimonials
‘Aberdein Considine has an impressive team that attracts a high quality of work.’
‘I have mainly dealt with Ross Webb, who heads the insolvency and corporate recovery team in Edinburgh and has a wealth of experience in that area. Ross is a pleasure to work with, and I have always found him thorough and well prepared, as well as commercially minded.’
‘Ross Webb is an effective lawyer who seeks to establish good working relationships for the long term.’
‘I am aware that Aberdein Considine is a multidisciplinary legal firm with a lot of strength and depth who offer a wide range of services.’
‘My initial point of contact was with Ross Webb, with the work being done by Karen Little. Both Ross and Karen were friendly, approachable and knowledgeable. Both were pragmatic and commercial, and work was turned around quickly.’
‘A very capable and experienced team at Aberdein Considine, with lots of experience in the insolvency and restructuring market, quick to respond to requests.’
‘Karen Little and Ross Webb both stand out for their recent involvement in an insolvency matter where Karen achieved an excellent result in obtaining a court order in a short timeframe.’
Key clients
FRP Advisory
Grant Thornton UK LLP
Begbies Traynor Group PLC
Johnston Carmichael LLP
Henderson Loggie LLP
Interpath Limited T/A Interpath Advisory
RSM Restructuring and Advisory LLP
AAB Group
Griffins
French Duncan LLP
The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
Lloyds Banking Group
Lombard PLC
GCG Shotblasting Services Limited
Manolete Partners PLC
Middlebrooks Business Recovery and Advice
Santander
Work highlights
- Advised PGMBM Scot Ltd in relation to a £450m investment partnership with Gramercy.
- Assisted the director of Verdant Spirits, Dundee-based gin producer, with the company’s winding up, formal appointment of liquidator and assisting Henderson Loggie LLP thereafter with asset disposal.
Blackadders LLP
Blackadders LLP bolstered its practice with the 2023 arrival of Fiona Muirs from Balfour+Manson LLP, who serves as head of the firm's dispute resolution practice. The firm acts for a varied client base across corporate and personal insolvency cases, with a notable focus on post insolvency and contentious issues. Ryan McKay is well-regarded for his property litigation and insolvency acumen, and is regularly instructed by insolvency practitioners, directors, and administrators and liquidators, while Susan Currie‘s practice spans personal and corporate insolvency mandates. Stephanie Carr left the team to join Thorntons Law LLP in May 2023.
Practice head(s):
Fiona Muirs
Other key lawyers:
Ryan McKay; Susan Currie
BTO Solicitors LLP
Possessing ‘significant experience in insolvency and company law matters – particularly contentious matters’, BTO Solicitors LLP has strengthened its full-service offering through the hire of dispute resolution specialist Tim Edwards
from MBM Commercial in November 2023, making the firm well-equipped to act for a range of insolvency practitioners, commercial lenders, and landlords. Angus Wood co-leads the group and is widely lauded as a ‘stand-out partner’ who is ‘unbelievably intelligent’ and ‘displays real commercial acumen’. Wood’s contentious practice is complimented by co-head Alastair Dunn‘s corporate restructuring offering, while Grant Hunter is largely focused on secured and unsecured recovery work. Kirsteen Maclean is also recommended for her litigation expertise.
Practice head(s):
Angus Wood; Alastair Dunn
Other key lawyers:
Grant Hunter; Kirsteen Maclean; Tim Edwards
Testimonials
‘Angus Wood was someone who it was possible to have full confidence in, and that confidence then spread to the wider team. Angus knew his jurisdiction, handled the other parties skilfully and gave pragmatic advice.’
‘The team includes people with a range of expertise in different areas and sectors. They bring this knowledge to the insolvency cases they deal with to provide tailored insolvency advice that is relevant to the client.’
‘Angus Wood is the individual that I deal with most at BTO. He is excellent. He quickly identifies the issues that matter to his client and then prepares a strategy with those issues at its core. As a result, he does not get hung up on the extraneous issues.’
‘Within the Scottish market, they have significant experience in insolvency and company law matters – particularly contentious matters. They bring that depth of experience to bear on achieving the best outcomes for clients in relation to corporate difficulties.’
‘Angus Wood is the stand out partner. He is unbelievably intelligent, and displays a real commercial acumen. He is a real asset to the team.’
‘BTO is a high-profile team in Scotland for professional negligence and liability practice.’
Key clients
Lloyds Banking Group
Interpath Advisory
Opus Restructuring & Insolvency
FRP Advisory
Hastings & Co
Begbies Traynor
Azets
Johnston Carmichael
Quantuma
French Duncan LLP
Work highlights
- Acting for the former directors of a global spirits distributor in the defence of multi-jurisdictional misfeasance claims, worth over £100m.
- Acting for South African insolvency practitioners in the cross-border recognition of the insolvencies of high-profile former owners of a telecommunications company in southern Africa.
- Acting for a specialist insolvency litigation funder in the pursuit of multiple high-value gratuitous alienation claims against high-profile individuals arising out of a failed investment scheme.
Thorntons Law LLP
Thorntons Law LLP ‘provides expertise covering the full spectrum of business recovery and insolvency’, recently strengthening its offering further through the hire of Stephanie Carr from Blackadders LLP in June 2023, who handles personal and corporate insolvency cases. The team is well geared to act for a broad range of administrators, liquidators, trustees and directors on both contentious and non-contentious issues as well as having a solid transactional and advisory practice. The ‘outstanding’ Pamela Muir helms the team and is widely lauded as an ‘extremely experienced insolvency and restructuring solicitor’, possessing strong litigation skills. Anne Miller is another key litigator in the group and focuses on corporate insolvencies, with an impressive track record acting for insolvency practitioners.
Practice head(s):
Pamela Muir
Other key lawyers:
Stephanie Carr; Anne Miller
Testimonials
‘A team offering great technical strength and depth – Pamela Muir is well regarded in the insolvency field and Anne Miller offers an exceptional approach to strategic litigation arising from insolvency situations.’
‘Anne Miller and Pamela Muir are stand-out solicitors in their field: you’d want them in your corner when trouble comes.’
‘Pamela Muir was outstanding. A very personable individual and easy to work with.’
Key clients
Begbies Traynor
Opus Business Advisory Group
William Duncan (Business Recovery) Ltd
Work highlights
- Instructed by the insolvency practitioners who were appointed as joint administrators of Future Renewables ECO plc to oppose an application of the former administrators for approval of remuneration and outlays by the court.
Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP
Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP recently recruited team co-head Alan Munro from TLT in May 2023, an insolvency law specialist who leverages over two decades of experience. His team is sought out by directors, liquidators, and lenders for contentious and non-contentious matters, with a particular emphasis on litigation guided by insolvency practitioners. Co-head Graham Bell has deep experience advising lenders and has recently been active on business transfers and lease assignations. Steven Docherty focuses on contentious issues and acts in claims for a range of clients.
Practice head(s):
Alan Munro; Graham Bell
Other key lawyers:
Steven Docherty
Testimonials
‘Alan Munro is a pleasure to work with, and has energy and enthusiasm. He has built strong relationships with some well known Scottish insolvency practitioners which have given him significant experience in that field. ’
‘The members of the team I have dealt with have been knowledgeable, helpful and commercial. They have helped me understand the differences between Scottish and English law, and given me practicable advice. ’
‘My contact is the partner Alan Munro. Alan takes a very commercial and refreshingly client focused approach, providing high-quality practical advice. ’
Key clients
Begbies Traynor
Leonard Curtis
French Duncan
Thomson Cooper
Lowry Capital
FRP
Grainger Corporate
Hastings & Co
Quantuma
Wylie & Bisset