Advising numerous public and private sector clients on projects across the Scottish, English, Irish and Welsh markets, Brodies LLP is active on landmark infrastructure builds, including water and waste, social housing, freeport, school, and hospital projects. The firm advises on the entire project lifecycle and is particularly well geared to act in disputes arising from PFI/PPP handbacks. Practice head Stuart Murray is ‘excellent at cutting through complex issues’ and has strong connections to UK-wide governmental bodies, developers, and financial institutions, whereas co-head Michael Stoneham is chiefly recognised for his project finance expertise, working with leading debt providers. Sarah-Jane McArthur is a go-to name for energy transition and decarbonisation projects. Drysdale Graham retired in 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Stuart Murray is our lead contact at Brodies. He is extremely approachable and excellent at cutting through complex issues to provide timely, user-friendly legal advice.’

  • ‘Brodies provide a comprehensive service and are able to draw in other solicitors to provide advice across areas to ensure that there is clear and full advice which meets the needs of the project. The quality of the team is at a very high level with a very strong ability to turn around work quickly and with robust legal position alongside a commercial/practical view accompanying the advice.'

  • ‘The Projects team remain a very strong team and are always available at short notice to assist with the issues that arise through developing a project or in managing a complex contract with many aspects after the project has been put in place.’

  • ‘Stuart Murray is very knowledgeable, helpful and excellent at offering solutions. The advice provided is clear.’

  • ‘A great mix of individuals in the business, but clearly driven by clear focus on providing excellent legal advice coupled with a sound and extensive understanding of the commerciality of projects and contracts.'

  • ‘The attention to detail and ability to distil key issues and risks from large volumes of often complex information is second to none.'

  • 'Stuart Murray and his team have provided sustained and quality support on emerging new PFI type contracts. Culturally, Brodies combine a professional approach with a relaxed manner, and clearly focused on supporting their clients.’

Key clients

  • Scottish Water
  • Hub South East Scotland Limited
  • Falkirk Council
  • Dumfries and Galloway Council
  • Aberdeenshire Council
  • North Lanarkshire Council
  • Galliford Try Investments Limited
  • Robertson Facilities Management Limited
  • Mears Limited
  • Nord Landesbank Gironzentrale

Work highlights

  • Acting for Mears Limited in its 12 year, £1.8bn Estates Management tender which forms part of the North Lanarkshire Council's vast Enterprise PPP Procurement project.
  • Advising Nord LB, Bank of Ireland and European Investment Bank on the €250m Community Nursing Unit PPP Project delivered by Equitix and John Sisk & Sons (as equity investors) in partnership with the Health Service Executive in Ireland.
  • Acting as sole legal adviser for Hub South East Scotland Limited.

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.

Stuart Murray, Michael Stoneham

Other key lawyers

Sarah-Jane McArthur