Levy & McRae

Client Satisfaction

Fielding ‘a team of extremely experienced criminal lawyers who are highly skilled in dealing with private and corporate clients’, Levy & McRae has a deep bench of lawyers that advises on domestic, financial and sexual crime cases. The team has a wealth of experience across all levels of the Scottish court system and is able to effectively work alongside major public bodies in complex, multi-faceted investigations and enquiries. The practice also has a dedicated PR and media service, headed up by team lead David McKie, which caters to the high-net-worth clients. Co-head Neil Hay is widely lauded as ‘an expert in his field’ and is a key figure for both regulatory crime and fraud cases, while fellow practice head Callum Anderson is often instructed to represent law enforcement and government officials. Promoted to senior associate in December 2023, Andrew Seggie has a growing remit of work that regularly involves professional and reputational considerations.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team at Levy & McRae were entirely cohesive, organised, well-informed and up-to-date. Needless to say, I had absolute confidence that my matter was being handled with the utmost confidentiality and discretion. No stone was left unturned in terms of identifying and employing the best legal strategy.'
‘Neil Hay is an exceptional lawyer and human being. He is not only an expert in his field, but is also highly attuned to the needs and circumstances of individual clients and their families. It is obvious that Neil cares about his clients and their wellbeing. Nothing is too much trouble. Neil is extremely professional and hands-on and also has a very caring manner. I immediately trusted him and he was always available to answer any questions or concerns. This he would do swiftly, clearly and concisely and in a way that was readily understandable to me as a non-lawyer. He went above and beyond, considering every eventuality and advising of the various possible scenarios and outcomes.’
‘Partner Neil Hay was recommended to me by a solicitor at a big firm, due to Neil's expertise in complex domestic/family-related criminal cases. His work on my case was outstanding from start to finish. Neil Hay and his team's preparation, research, consideration of angle and delivery in court meant that justice was upheld. There was a frank open dialogue between client and legal team throughout, which provided a strong sense of collaboration and transparency. First class team and he would be the only criminal counsel I would recommend to anyone in similar circumstances as I had faced. ’
‘I found Levy and McRae to be a pleasure to work with. The professionalism that they brought was a huge relief especially to a complex case like mine. It gave me a huge sense of relief that I was in not only very capable hands but also very diligent. Neil Hay was very welcoming, comforting and so knowledgeable. He managed to pick apart the fine detail and provided evidence.'
‘Neil Hay was so knowledgeable, he could see through everything and pick it apart. He was so nice to deal with, he knew what it meant to me and could obviously see I was really struggling so supported me. Hannah Baxter was the same, so comforting and listened to me without prejudice and as a friend. Her knowledge about the case was incredible and the effort she applied into proving what I was saying was in fact true. I couldn't recommend them enough and felt it was friends helping me out and not a company.'
‘Neil Hay and his team are simply excellent. Their professional and legal skill does not need any introduction, however their client care, their above and beyond empathy, and their management of the toll of a criminal prosecution makes working with Neil and the team remarkable.'
‘Neil Hay is a lawyer not just of a generation but one who I expect will transcend several generations of Scottish criminal solicitors. A brilliant lawyer and a fine man.'
‘They are a team of extremely experienced criminal lawyers who are highly skilled in dealing with private and corporate clients. They have an in-depth knowledge of the criminal law both at common law and under statute, and their legal analysis and understanding of complex cases is extremely impressive.’

Work highlights

Represented a high-profile financial services professional, facing several charges of rape in a case involving four complainers, who were all known to each other, in a 6-day High Court trial.
Represented a female doctor charged with assaulting her partner, who said she had acted in self-defence.
Represented an officer in the armed forces who was charged with a series of historical domestic offences dating back to 2006, including a serious assault.