Partner Derek acts on behalf of many registered social landlords (RSLs), local authorities and other public bodies in Scotland with particular emphasis on governance, regulatory and constitutional advice and property and funding work. Derek regularly advises clients in relation to governance and constitutional matters, the application of legislative developments and the development and implementation of policy, as well as general advisory work. He is also very active in relation to RSL funding work, including having acted for the issuers in the vast majority of private placements involving Scottish RSLs in recent years. He also has a breadth of experience in acting for clients on the management, acquisition and disposal of large housing portfolios which is unrivalled in Scotland. Derek led the legal team which successfully delivered the largest ever housing transfer in the UK – the transfer of 80,000 houses from Glasgow City Council to Glasgow Housing Association (GHA). Derek also acted as lead external solicitor to GHA over an eight year period in connection with its programme of second stage transfers which ultimately successfully delivered the transfer of circa. 20,000 houses by way of 35 separate transfers. Derek also has over 25 years of mainstream commercial property experience and continues to act for a number of property investors and developers, including in relation to innovative funding structures to deliver affordable housing. He is a former member of the committees of management of Hillcrest, Old Town and Trust Housing Associations, and is also qualified to act as a solicitor in England and Wales. He has also served as a Chairperson member of the Private Rented Housing Panel/Homeowners Housing Panel, and was also a contributing editor to the Thomson Reuters’ Scottish Lawyer’s Factbook on residential tenancies. Derek is a regular speaker at seminars and workshops run by the firm and by external organisations.
United Kingdom - Scotland • Real estate
Harper Macleod LLP
Harper Macleod LLP‘s extensive roster of registered social landlords (RSLs), public and private sector bodies is reflective of the team’s broad expertise in the social housing sector. Edinburgh-based co-head Derek Hogg often takes the lead on governance, regulatory, constitutional, finance and property funding matters, an area in which Collette Miller further excels. Fellow co-head James McMorrow (based in Glasgow) is the main contact for corporate, commercial and public procurement issues. Typical work for the firm’s infrastructure and projects head, Euan Pirie, includes housing developments with a construction angle.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team has an excellent reputation for delivering a high level of service and for the in-depth knowledge and experience they have of the Scottish housing sector, over a range of areas including regulation, governance, finance and procurement.'
'They are undoubtedly the market leader in Scotland for advising housing associations.’
‘Derek Hogg is a recognised industry expert in the regulation of housing associations. He demonstrates a high level of skill in terms of the advice he gives but also is very pragmatic in his assessments.'
Key clients
- Wheatley Housing Group
- Link Group
- Kingdom Housing Association
- Caledonia Housing Association
- Cairn Housing Association
- GB Social Housing PLC
- Scottish Government
- West of Scotland Housing Association
- Spire View Housing Association
- Fife Council
- Cunninghame Housing Association
Work highlights
- Advised Cunninghame Housing Association on the acquisition of a site in Kilmarnock and the negotiation of a contract for the erection of 101 modular homes.
- Advised Cairn, Caledonia, West of Scotland HAs, Wheatley Group, and Blackwood Homes and Care on registered social landlord constitutional partnerships undertaken in Scotland during the period, involving the transfer of 3,000 homes.
- Advised Caledonia HA on a £75m sustainable private placement undertaken by a Scottish registered social landlord, with embedded ESG and sustainability targets.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Partner James advises the firm’s public, housing and third sector clients in relation to corporate, commercial, regulatory and public procurement issues. He regularly advises clients on complex, high value and high profile projects in the public sector and has a strong track record in helping to develop innovative funding and service delivery models across a range of sectors, including the affordable housing, charity, community renewable energy and sports sectors.
Next Generation Partners
Partner Collette provides advice and assistance to many Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), local authorities and other public bodies in Scotland, particularly in relation to governance, regulatory and constitutional issues. She regularly advises clients in relation to the application of legislative developments and the development and implementation of policy, as well as general advisory work. Collette undertakes a range of property, finance and contract work for the firm’s housing and public sector clients on a day-to-day basis. She is also the lead adviser to the firm’s housing and public sector clients on consumer credit-related issues and compliance with applicable requirements of the Financial Conduct Authority. Collette is experienced in advising on a wide range of local authority matters, including housing, public procurement, commercial conveyancing, contractual issues and litigation. Collette has experience of supporting local authorities with the establishment of shared services and alternative business structures.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Derek Hogg, James McMorrow