‘Attentive, commercial and client-focused’, Harper Macleod LLP is a notable player in the Scottish banking and finance market with a deep bench of advisers acting for a client roster encompassing major clearing and challenger banks, alternative lenders, and multinationals. The firm's strength in the real estate, agriculture, healthcare and energy spaces has been enhanced by growth in the marine sector, where the firm handles a range of debt financings, acquisition financings, and refinancings for clients domestically and abroad. Tony Cameron helms the practice and handles complex transactions for banks, funds and corporates, while Ricardo Matteo is frequently sought out for marine work. Jacqui Fraser is active in the real estate, healthcare, hospitality and agriculture sectors, and Andrew Ronald, who is the principal point of contact for notable lender clients, is well reputed for his property expertise. Kirsty Watson is also recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The Harper MacLeod team have always been proactive with legal advice. They offer advice in an easy to understand manner. They also breakdown what the legal issue is, what the risk is and importantly, also what the likelihood is of the risk event happening. This assists in making a commercial decision on whether to accept that risk or to seek mitigation.’

  • ‘The Harper Macleod banking team is attentive, commercial and client-focused.’

  • ‘The Harper Macleod Banking Team are really approachable. They can be relied upon to quickly address any contentious points and will provide a clear and quick response/resolution.’

  • ‘Strong team, good depth, knowledge and experience.'

Key clients

  • City Property Glasgow LLP/Glasgow City Council
  • Lloyds Banking Group/Bank of Scotland plc
  • Virgin Money/Clydesdale Bank plc
  • Santander UK plc
  • Cynergy Bank
  • HSBC UK Bank plc
  • Ocean Farm Services Limited
  • Abundance Investment
  • Paragon Development Finance
  • LHV Bank Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised City Property Glasgow LLP/Glasgow City Council on all aspects of the final tranche of the high-profile £858m sale and leaseback project involving the transfer of high profile Glasgow buildings from Glasgow City Council to related arm's length external organisations to fund equal pay liabilities.
  • Advising a group of leading international insurance companies in relation to the provision of £186m bonding facilities provided on behalf of a group of Scottish companies and associated indemnities and supporting security.
  • Advising an energy client in respect of a deed of indemnity to be provided to a leading international insurance company to support the provision of a bond as collateral for a new £728m contract to be undertaken.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Tony Cameron

Other key lawyers

Ricardo Matteo, Jacqui Fraser, Andrew Ronald, Kirsty Watson