The ‘outstanding’ team at CMS acts for health clients across the UK on the full range of matters, including large-scale infrastructure projects, contractual leasing and development frameworks for higher education institutes and contract support for clinical trials. Accredited specialist Amanda Methven is ‘immensely experienced’ in assisting with contentious cases for healthcare facilities and developers, as well as advising NHS clients on debt refinancing mandates. Shona Frame and Ailsa Ritchie
further bolster the teams’ project development offering, assisting with design and alleged defect issues, while Alan Nelson
advises on pharmaceutical product supply matters. Christine Worthington is another key contact in the group.
Health in Scotland
CMS
Practice head(s):
Amanda Methven
Other key lawyers:
Shona Frame; Ailsa Ritchie; Alan Nelson; Christine Worthington
Testimonials
‘Huge experience in this team, combined with a pragmatic approach to getting deals done. They understand what’s important for the client and focus accordingly.’
‘Amanda Methven is an incredibly smart individual who you’d want in your corner every time. Immensely experienced and unflappable.’
‘The commitment, knowledge and experience of the whole CMS team is outstanding.’
‘The team are approachable, pragmatic, very skilful and are great at problem solving.’
Key clients
NHS National Services Scotland
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
University of Glasgow
University College of London
Marie Curie
Work highlights
- Advising the NHS on the SWAN procurement project.
- Advising the University of Glasgow in relation to the redevelopment of a former shipbuilding industrial site into a Health Innovation Hub.
- Advising NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde on the design and construction of a new Radionuclide Dispensary and a new Health Centre.
Brodies LLP
Brodies LLP handles a range of health mandates, including the acquisition and financing of healthcare facilities, in addition to regulatory matters and national inquiries. With a strong focus in corporate and real estate financing, Peter Kelly jointly leads the team alongside Christine O’Neill, who advises on mandates concerning healthcare regulation. Stuart Murray, a key member of the firm’s infrastructure practice, handles project building and design work, while Jamie Dunne assists with public procurement matters. Other contacts in the group include Kate Donachie and Laura McMillan, who sit within the firm’s wider insurance and risk team.
Practice head(s):
Peter Kelly; Christine O’Neill
Other key lawyers:
Stuart Murray; Jamie Dunne; Kate Donachie; Laura McMillan
Testimonials
‘Christine O’Neill is ably supported by a knowledgeable and diligent team in the field of healthcare regulation. Christine is both an authoritative adviser and passionate advocate.’
‘Brodies are extremely knowledgeable and offer high quality and well-thought advice.’
‘Stuart Murray’s support continues to be invaluable and his understanding of what we require as a client is crucial to the delivery of successful outcomes.’
‘The team is flexible and accommodating at short notice when dealing with queries. They offer pragmatic solutions and support, they see issues from different perspectives and offer clients some options to consider. They are personable and build an authentic rapport with clients.’
‘Their ability to approach issues which are often sector specific with an acuity of knowledge and expertise, which is garnered from effective listening and knowledge development. An impressive range of individuals with diverse and complementary skills.’
‘Brodies provide comprehensive advice. This combined with their commercially aware approach means that optimal solutions are found to complex matters.’
Key clients
Parklands Care Group
Oakland Care
Meallmore Care Group
Northcare Care Homes
Triodos Bank
University of St Andrews
Professional Standards Authority
TC BioPharm Limited
Leucid Bio Limited
Robertson Facilities Management Limited
University of Swansea
EquiSisk Consortium
Work highlights
- Advising Scottish Care in connection with its engagement with the UK and Scottish public inquiries since the Inquiries were established.
- Representing the Scottish Government in the UK Infected Blood Inquiry.
Burness Paull LLP
Burness Paull LLP has demonstrable experience in handling large-scale infrastructure projects in the healthcare sector, in addition to construction mandates, procurement challenges and transactional work. Chris Horsley, who acts for both public and private sector clients, leads the team. A specialist in product liability disputes, Joanna Fulton maintains a strong track record in pharmaceutical and med-tech product litigation in Scotland. Fiona Nicolson departed to Keystone Law in 2025.
Practice head(s):
Chris Horsley
Other key lawyers:
Joanna Fulton
Testimonials
‘The Burness Paull team have a a great deal of in-depth knowledge and expertise in the healthcare and technology sectors, representing both large and small-scale companies. Their team are friendly and approachable, whilst still being extremely professional.’
‘The practice has an excellent profile in the health sector as a defense team. They have been involved in some of the highest profile cases that there have been in the last decade.’
‘Joanna Fulton is bright, experienced in the health sector, has an international outlook and is an excellent communicator. She is very good at managing complex cases and delivering carefully considered strategic advice.’
‘Dedicated team, highly knowledgeable and responsive to challenges and tasks.’
‘Experienced, knowledgeable and solutions focused.’
Key clients
NHS Lothian
Hub West Scotland Limited
Rua Lifesciences
Hamberley Care Homes
Medtronic
Boehringer Ingelheim Venture GmbH
Merck
Sanctuary Group
Cancer Research Scotland Institute
Hologic
Roper Technology
HD Clinical
Exact Sciences
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
PureHealth Holding LLC
Scottish Enterprise
1nhaler
Barclay Medical Practice
Zoetis Services LLC
Voluntary Services Association of Aberdeen
Todays Dental
One Medicare
Work highlights
- Advising PureHealth LLC in connection with the Scottish real estate aspects of its $1.2 billion acquisition of Circle Health Holdings Limited.
- Advising hub West Scotland in relation to designing and building multiple health centers and other facilities in the Greater Glasgow & Clyde area.
- Advising Boehringer Ingelheim Venture GmbH on a £4.3m seed funding round led by it alongside Scottish Enterprise in Glox Therapeutics.
Morton Fraser MacRoberts
Morton Fraser MacRoberts is situated within the firm's wider procurement and competition practice. Practice leader David Wylie advises healthcare clients on corporate acquisitions, joint ventures and financing matters, while public sector and charities expert Robin Fallas handles governance and administrative mandates. Infrastructure adviser Rod Munro assists UK-wide NHS clients with PFI projects, and is recommended alongside Jennifer McKay, who leads on disputes concerning hospital construction, and fire detection and prevention systems. Julie Hamilton is another key contact in the group.
Practice head(s):
David Wylie
Other key lawyers:
Robin Fallas; Rod Munro; Jennifer McKay; Julie Hamilton
Testimonials
‘The team has a deep understanding of the sector, provides an excellent service in terms of responses and focuses on the real issues, whilst able to move beyond any challenges faced with practical solutions.’
Key clients
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
NHS Lanarkshire
NHS Highlands
Scottish Dental Care Limited
Induction Healthcare plc
Scottish Private Nurseries Association
Community Pharmacy Scotland
DX Cover
Davidson Chalmers Stewart
Praised for its ‘impressive depth of knowledge’, Davidson Chalmers Stewart handles a broad range of advisory matters concerning sustainability loans for NHS medical partnership clients, in addition advising on employment, insurance and lease and ownership-related mandates. Andy Drane and Craig Stirling jointly lead the Edinburgh-based practice, advising on incorporations of medical partnerships, service-level and constitutional agreements, and property acquisitions. Laura Irvine spearheads the firm's regulatory team and is another key contact in the group.
Practice head(s):
Andy Drane; Craig Stirling
Other key lawyers:
Laura Irvine
Testimonials
‘Andy Drane is knowledgeable and well known in the medical sector.’
‘Impressive depth of knowledge of the sector along with experience.’
‘They are professional, friendly and competent.’
‘Andy Drane and Laura Irvine are both excellent legal advisers. They are knowledgeable about the health sector and are able to provide sound legal and strategic advice based on this knowledge.’
‘Great client care and very responsive.’
Key clients
Clyde Munro Group Limited
Portman Dental Group
Riverside Highland Medical Group
Tranent Medical Practice
Markinch Medical Practice
Neilston Medical Centre
Strathcalder Practice
Killin Medical Practice
Primrose Lane Medical Centre
Glencairn Medical Practice
Work highlights
- Advised over 50 NHS medical partnerships who have applied for sustainability loans from the Scottish Ministers.
- Advised various Scottish NHS medical partnerships in relation to the proposed incorporation of their practices as limited liability partnerships (LLPs).
- Advising the Riverside Medical Group in respect of their constitutional and shareholder arrangements.
Thorntons Law LLP
The team at Thorntons Law LLP advises on purchases and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical and veterinary sectors. Commercial law expert Michael Royden jointly leads the team alongside Ewan Miller, who handles transactional matters in the healthcare industry. Kim Campbell is a highly active member of the team, assisting with proposed sales in the dental sector, while Amy Jones advises healthcare clients on employment and HR issues. Other key contacts include Nina Sinclair and Aimee Gibbons.
Practice head(s):
Michael Royden; Ewan Miller
Other key lawyers:
Kim Campbell; Amy Jones; Nina Sinclair; Aimee Gibbons; Hannah Grace
Testimonials
‘Kim Campbell, Michael Royden and Aimee Gibbons are all excellent to work with; professional, attentive and provide the right level of advice in clear and concise terms.’
‘Hannah Grace was invaluable throughout the entire process. She responded instantly and I was kept constantly informed. Hannah was very knowledgeable and I felt extremely comfortable with trusting her.’
‘Aimee Gibbons provides superb insight into healthcare matters along with Kim Campbell on the corporate side.’
Key clients
Shareholders of Parkside Veterinary Group
Pharmastop Healthcare
Walter Davidson & Sons
RWG Healthcare Ltd
Deans Healthcare
Dr Jennifer Bianchi
Dr Hannah Dunn
Dr Karen Robb
Forsyth Craig
RSS Pharma
Work highlights
- Advised Walter Davidson & Sons Limited on its acquisition of five Lloyds pharmacy branches from Lloyds Pharmacy Limited.
- Advised the shareholders of Parkside Veterinary Group Limited on the sale of their veterinary company.