Jennifer Jack > Harper Macleod LLP > Edinburgh, United Kingdom > Lawyer Profile

Harper Macleod LLP
CITYPOINT, 65 HAYMARKET TERRACE
EDINBURGH
EH12 5HD
United Kingdom
Jennifer Jack photo

Position

Partner

Jennifer leads our public law litigation and public inquiries practice across Scotland. Jennifer is an experienced lawyer who leads a team of lawyers focussing on public, administrative and constitutional law; public inquiries; civil liberties & human rights; and disputes involving the public sector and government (national and local). Jennifer works closely with her clients, taking a pragmatic approach to finding the best solutions for them.

With long-standing recognised specialist expertise in public law and disputes involving public bodies (including government), Jennifer has significant experience of advising and representing clients on public, regulatory and constitutional law issues, including in Judicial Review and Appeals against decisions of a wide range of public authorities. Jennifer draws upon this practical litigation experience when advising clients on statutory/regulatory obligations and wider reputation management.

Jennifer has an outstanding record of success in winning cases for government bodies, regulators, companies, campaign groups and individuals, in court and representing their interests at public inquiries. She is one of a handful of Scottish solicitors with experience of litigating in the Scottish Courts, UK Supreme Court and Court of Justice of the European Union.

Jennifer advises clients on legislation and statutory interpretation, the powers and duties of public bodies, the art of getting decisions right first time and representing clients in situations when decision-making is questioned. The setting might be a Board/committee meeting, investigation, tribunal, court or public inquiry. Decisions could relate to competition /state aid/ procurement, planning/ environmental/ climate change issues, data protection & information law, education matters, looked-after children/ vulnerable adults/ homeless accommodation, or other areas where decisions are made that affect individuals, businesses and communities. Jennifer’s expertise is found in a thorough understanding of the relevant legislative/ regulatory/ procedural frameworks and how to identify and address areas susceptible to challenge.

Jennifer’s thorough understanding of the often legally complex and politically sensitive issues affecting those operating within and engaging with the public sector allows her to give insightful advice, tailored to clients’ specific situations and needs.

Education

LLB (Hons); Dip LP, NP & WS

Lawyer Rankings

Scotland > Private client > Charities and not-for-profit

Harper Macleod LLP acts for social housing clients in the charity sector, instructing the team to negotiate and assist with financial objectives. The practice also regularly advises on the full range of data protection and regulatory matters. James McMorrow and Derek Hogg jointly lead the team, with extensive experience in acting for charities on commercial, regulatory, and compliance mandates. With a focus on contentious cases, Jennifer Jack handles judicial review appeals against public bodies and regulators. Fiona Killen is another key contact in the group.

Scotland > Real estate > Environment

Harper Macleod LLP receives regular instructions from public sector bodies, environmental campaign groups, and private developers. Practice co-head Peter Ferguson is experienced in handling environmental and planning matters related to renewable energy, mining, and waste management. He leads the team alongside Jennifer Jack, who offers expertise in environmental disputes, including judicial reviews and appeals.

Scotland > Real estate > Planning

The ‘highly professional, approachable, and diligent’ team at Harper Macleod LLP boasts an impressive list of public sector clients, with active involvement in renewable energy and housing development sectors. The group frequently collaborates with English law firms, advising on the planning aspects of corporate transactions that involve renewable energy projects. The non-contentious offering is spearheaded by Peter Ferguson, who acts for a range of clients including regulators, planning authorities, purchasers, and developers. Jennifer Jack takes the lead in planning-related litigation, handling judicial reviews, public inquiries, and appeals.

Scotland > Public sector > Local government

Praised for its ‘excellent knowledge and experience of public sector issues’, Harper Macleod LLP handles a wide range of project, employment, and governance matters for local authority clients. Commercial contracts and regulatory specialist James McMorrow jointly spearheads the team alongside Jennifer Jack, who leads on judicial reviews and disputes against regulatory bodies, in addition to representing local councils in major public inquiries. Partner Fiona Killen joined from Burness Paull LLP in June 2023, focusing on governance and constitutional advice and statutory appeals before the UK courts. Euan Pirie advises on high-profile procurements and engineering matters.

Scotland > Public sector > Parliamentary and public affairs

(Leading partners)

Jennifer Jack – Harper Macleod LLP

Commended for its ‘excellent knowledge of the sector’, Harper Macleod LLP’s parliamentary and public affairs team acts for a wide range of clients, including government bodies, civil servants and charities, and handles judicial reviews, appeals against public authorities and regulators, and wider public procurement issues. The firm is jointly led by accredited experts Jennifer Jack and James McMorrow. Fiona Killen, whose ‘knowledge of the technicality of public law and its development over time is second to none’, joined from Burness Paull LLP in June 2023, and Calum Gee is another core member of the team.

Scotland > Corporate and commercial > EU and competition

Acting for an impressive list of clients that includes Scottish government agencies, public sector bodies, and multinational corporates, Harper Macleod LLP is regularly sought out for its expertise in handling subsidy control and public procurement issues, with an increasing stream of instructions relating to the Subsidy Control Act 2022. The firm also has competition litigation expertise, as well as EU and CMA merger control experience. Donnie Munro oversees the practice, and James McMorrow is the main contact for public sector clients seeking competition law advice, particularly in the context of major infrastructure projects. Jennifer Jack is well regarded for her contentious, and Fiona Killen, who joined the team from Burness Paull LLP in June 2023, adds further experience working with public bodies. Wendy Richardson has also been notably active across a range of matters.