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Terra Firma Chambers is home to ‘a good range of experienced planning counsel’. James Findlay KC, who shares dual tenancy with English set Cornerstone Barristers, is ’well respected‘ in the planning law space, and Alasdair Burnet KC is ’attuned to the challenges that developers and local authorities face and gives measured, realistic advice‘. At the junior end of the stable, Graham Dunlop has solid experience in advising on construction disputes and a broad range of property law issues. Brian Crook has an established track record in handling contested property rights, real burdens, landlord and tenant issues and liferents, among other areas. In recent instructions for the team, Kenneth Young appeared before the Upper Tribunal in a successful appeal against a decision that a heritable creditor was responsible for the landlord’s repairing obligations in a tenanted flat after taking a decree of possession.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Emma Caskie-Potter is a dynamic practice leader who knows her stable's strengths well.'
- 'The clerks at Terra Firma are brilliant. They will always go above and beyond to identify the appropriate counsel for the case, provide accurate fee quotes and provide useful updates on timescales and other matters.'
- 'The clerks are always attentive.'
- 'Terra Firma is the best planning stable in Scotland.'
- 'Excellent stable, strong choice of advocates.'
- 'Good strength and depth.'
Silks
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
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Alasdair Burnet KC
Terra Firma Chambers 'Alasdair is a stand-out planning KC, who balances commercial awareness and pragmatism with compelling advocacy and detailed advice.'
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Douglas Armstrong KC
Terra Firma Chambers 'A very impressive advocate at the planning Bar. He is a delight to work with and provides clear, insightful, and strategic advice on the most complex matters. He clearly has the ear of the court.'
Juniors
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
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Maurice O’Carroll
Terra Firma Chambers 'Maurice has a very engaging manner which instantly puts witnesses at their ease.'
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Denis Garrity
Terra Firma Chambers2
Ewen Brown
Terra Firma Chambers 'He has a very fine mind, and is able to understand and distil complicated legal issues into practical language that a client can understand.'
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Robert Sutherland
Terra Firma Chambers2
Brian Crook
Terra Firma Chambers 'Brian is a formidable yet approachable advocate. His calm, measured approach - likely a result of his preparedness and solid grasp of the law - means he is a reassuring presence in the courtroom for both the client and instructing solicitor.'
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
Kenneth Young
Terra Firma Chambers 'A rising star of the property and planning Bar. He is clever and hard-working, with a 'can do' attitude to legal problems.'