Harper Macleod Partner Becomes Solicitor Advocate

Harper Macleod LLP, one of Scotlands leading commercial law firms, is celebrating this week after Edinburgh-based Partner Richard Henderson qualified as the firms in-house Solicitor Advocate.

A founding member of the firms Edinburgh office, he joins an elite band of just 189 Solicitor Advocates in Scotland, who have been granted rights of audience in the supreme courts.  There are currently nearly 9,500 lawyers practising in Scotland. As a Solicitor Advocate qualified in civil disputes resolution, Richard Henderson is entitled to appear in the Court of Session, the Privy Council and the House of Lords.

Qualification as a Solicitor Advocate requires the completion of a rigorous course of seminars, exams and a practical training weekend as part of the continuous assessment program, ensuring that they maintain the highest standards of expertise and professionalism.

Harper Macleod Managing Partner, Professor Lorne Crerar commented; "We are delighted with Richards considerable achievement, which puts him in an elite group of only 2% of practising lawyers in Scotland.   Solicitor Advocates must demonstrate the highest levels of competence and Richards in-house role means that the firm can offer its clients a continuity of service which we always seek to achieve."

Richard Hendersons areas of expertise are in reparation and insurance, specialising in health and safety and occupational stress.  He also deals with general commercial litigation and property disputes.

Established in 1988 by Professor Lorne Crerar and Rod McKenzie, Harper Macleod has evolved into a firm with 30 Partners, 82 Fee Earners and a complement of 166 staff.   Renowned for its expertise in Sports, Public Sector & Housing, Employment, Banking, Recoveries and Litigation, the firm includes the Scottish Premier League, The Scottish Executive, Optical Express, Tulloch Limited, The Child Support Agency, Direct Line Insurance and BCW Group plc in its impressive list of clients.