United Kingdom - Scotland • Dispute resolution
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Commercial litigation

Harper Macleod LLP

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Harper Macleod LLP ‘puts forward an incredibly strong and accessible offering, capable of going toe to toe on a client’s behalf in any adversarial situation’. Key areas of expertise include contractual disputes and shareholder litigation, in addition to issues arising from post-M&A transactions. Praised as ’one of Scotland’s leading commercial litigators’, Sandy Hastie heads the practice from the firm’s office in Edinburgh, while ‘standout partner’ David Kerr spearheads the team in Glasgow. Other key contacts in the group include John McHugh and Laura McCorquodale, who both operate from the Edinburgh office, as well as the Glasgow-based E-Ming Fong.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Harper Macleod has a strong commercial litigation team. It is a Scottish-based litigation firm that is perfectly capable of matching some of the large multinational firms operating in Scotland. It has a truly commercial and client-oriented manner.’

  • ‘The team is full of standout individuals. Sandy Hastie is one of Scotland's leading commercial litigators. There is nobody better in the market in terms of technical knowledge, detailed understanding of a client's case and pragmatic, commercial advice. He is definitely a star. Laura McCorquodale is absolutely brilliant. She is great at dealing with clients, understanding their issues and concerns, and provides clear and intelligible advice. She is great to work with. David Kerr is another standout partner. He is vastly experienced in all areas of commercial litigation. His real strength is in giving clear, commercial advice to his clients.’

  • ‘One of the strongest commercial litigation teams in the country.’

  • ‘E-Ming Fong has been highly efficient and communicative in our litigation case.’

  • ‘In the field of complex commercial litigation, often dominated by international law firms, Harper Macleod puts forward an incredibly strong and accessible offering, capable of going toe to toe on a client's behalf in any adversarial situation.’

  • ‘Sandy Hastie is very bright and pragmatic. His ability to understand and process complex commercial information and present solutions to his client is second to none. He is robust in protecting his client's position and does not appear to be intimidated by an inequality of bargaining power.’

  • ‘John McHugh is very personable and able to provide advice in an organised manner, such that any litigation risks are clearly understood.’

  • ‘Easy to collaborate with on cross-border cases, solutions-driven and responsive.’

Key clients

  • Halfords Group
  • Lidl
  • Energiekontor UK Ltd
  • M & Co
  • Kuehne & Nagel International AG
  • Optical Express Group
  • Timpson Group
  • Musicians Union
  • National Car Parks Ltd
  • Scottish Government

Work highlights

  • Advised Robert Kidd on a $150m action against the purchasers of his shareholding in an oil and gas company and their solicitors based on an unlawful means conspiracy, including a successful appeal to the Inner House of the Court of Session.
  • Represented Centenary 6 Ltd in a £40m loss of opportunity claim against TLT solicitors, concerning legal advice given by TLT, which resulted in the irretrievable loss of a prior right of action.
  • Represented Moulsdale Properties in an appeal to the UK Supreme Court concerning a complex question of UK VAT law.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Sandy Hastie
Harper Macleod LLP
Partner Sandy heads the firm's Dispute Resolution practice, and acts in a range of complex and high value litigations. He has particular expertise in corporate and shareholder litigation, as well as disputes in the banking and financial services, healthcare, energy and construction sectors. Sandy also regularly advises clients in procurement, competition and professional negligence claims. As well as his prominent practice in the commercial court of the Court of Session, Sandy has acted in numerous appeals to the United Kingdom Supreme Court. Sandy has a substantial public law practice and has extensive experience of advising the firm’s private and public sector clients in judicial review proceedings and statutory appeals involving questions of administrative law. In addition to his litigation expertise, Sandy has a strong track record of resolving high value disputes through mediation, arbitration and expert determination.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sandy Hastie

Other key lawyers

David Kerr, John McHugh, Laura McCorquodale, E-Ming Fong

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