Public Sector
"We have developed a critical mass in the public sector marketplace, so that we can now credibly support a much wider range of projects and assignments. And, just as important, we can see that the market itself recognises this larger capability."
Professor Lorne D. Crerar, Chairman
We weren't wrong about the growth potential
A vital economic driver. In recognition of the importance of the public sector within the Scottish economy, we identified obvious growth potential for Harper Macleod aligned to our technical expertise. We weren’t wrong. Our public sector practice has consistently achieved sustainable growth over the last five years.
We have been determined to demonstrate our breadth and depth experience as a balanced and well-rounded public sector law firm. Our expertise and efforts have been independently recognised as the only firm to have been awarded Public Sector Team of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards in consecutive years (2011 and 2012).
Governance. Our Chairman, Professor Lorne Crerar was Chair of the Scottish Government's Independent Review of Regulation, Audit, Inspection and Complaints Handling of Public Services in
Project Work. In the past year, we have advised a wide range of public sector clients, including: central government directorates and agencies, local authorities and organisations in the healthcare and further and higher education sectors on a variety of matters, including shared equity initiatives, renewable energy and climate change projects and major capital projects.
Local authorities like us. We have a systematic approach that is appreciated by more and more local authorities. So much so, they are broadening the suite of legal services they ask us to provide. They are now coming to us for such services as employment, debt recovery and litigation work, advice on freedom of information, charity law and healthcare, as well as commercial contracts, intellectual property, technology, procurement, state aid and regulatory issues.
A collaborative approach. We understand the role of the in house legal function and we work in partnership with our clients' in house lawyers to mirror their own ethos of excellence in public sector delivery. A number of our lawyers have previously worked in house within public sector organisations and we also have an active secondment programme, which enables us to develop close working relationships with our clients. We have made secondees available to a variety of public sector organisations including local authorities, government departments and agencies, development agencies and registered social landlords.
