Dispute Resolution Solicitors
Coronavirus advice for business
The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service have now stated that only urgent civil business (which includes the seeking of interim orders) will take place whilst restrictions imposed by Government remain in force. Court business across Scotland has been centralised to ten courts. For ongoing actions, that means that unless and until the process catches up with the restrictions, obligations to lodge and intimate documents will continue to apply.
We can assist you in ensuring that you meet all formal requirements of litigation across all of Scotland's courts and tribunals.
Recent Updates
- Dealing with child contact arrangements during the pandemic - the legal position
- Maradona's legacy & why it is important to make a Will
- U-turn puts suspension of wrongful trading in place again, until 30 April 2021
- The importance of getting prescriptive rights of access accurately registered
- No Business Property Relief for furnished holiday accommodation
- Government to consider reform of policy on cash retentions under construction contracts
- Scottish Lands Tribunal ruling strengthens the position of landowners when negotiating mast leases
- What happens when neighbours refuse to contribute to the cost of common repairs?
- Government Contracts awarded without competition - is this lawful?
- An expensive claim – significant costs award made against claimant in the employment tribunal
- Why it is important to record your wishes clearly in your Will to avoid family disputes
- New landlord duties before repossession action against tenants
- Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 - further changes to Notice Periods before applying for eviction
- Scottish courts reach exceptional decision in 'child abduction' case
- Court decision opens up potential Covid-19 claims by Scottish businesses under business interruption insurance
- Extending furlough? Repaying furlough? Recent developments and words of caution
- Coronavirus: protection from termination of commercial leases in Scotland - update
- Funding for coastal communities vitally important, but don't forget about State Aid rules
- Tax return error left taxpayer liable for huge Gift Aid refund claim
- What will the Children (Scotland) Bill mean for family court cases regarding contact and residence?
- When can employment tribunals order re-employment following an unfair dismissal case?
- Crofters' proposals for community-owned wind farms refused
- Are standard securities an effective way to secure a landowner's obligations under an option agreement for a renewables development?
- Why access to wind farm development sites can't be taken for granted – cautionary tales of private rights and public roads
- Rock and a hard place – how can landowners be sure they own everything that's under their feet?
- What do executors have to do about potential claims against an estate?
- Introduction of Group Proceedings in Scotland increases access to justice in multi-party claims
- Time Limits for Latent Defects Claims
- Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020
- VAT Barter in leases – what do landlords and tenants need to know?
- Temporary suspension of statutory demand provisions - what does it mean for businesses and creditors?
- An overview of the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020
- Coronavirus: The construction sector - getting back to work safely as lockdown begins to ease
- What does the court closure mean for my claim – considering alternative dispute resolution to avoid the backlog
- What is the legal position when your wedding is affected by the lockdown
- Coronavirus Ramblings: What is "responsible access" during lockdown?
- Creative Scotland is not an "undertaking" under the Competition Act 1998
- Intolerable Isolation: Dealing with Neighbour Disputes during Covid-19
- Stay at home: what the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill means for tenants facing eviction
- Is Covid-19 frustrating (your contracts)?
- Coronavirus: death and illness in a Scottish partnership
- Implications of the Coronavirus Outbreak: Planning and Building Standards
- How to keep track of the most up-to-date, official coronavirus advice
- Closure of construction sites due to coronavirus: situation in Scotland and England
- Force majeure and frustration in a coronavirus world – dealing with commercial contracts
- Court Practice during the Coronavirus lockdown and what it means for you
- Coronavirus: end to residential tenancy disputes and problems for landlord income
Key contact - Andrew Upton
m: 07817762214
Andrew advises clients across both public and private sectors in relation to all litigious matters. His experience incorporates litigation at Sheriff Court and Court of Session level, principally contractual and property disputes, as well as actions at both the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland.
Andrew regularly represents clients in the Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland, including Commercial Actions, and at the Lands Tribunal for Scotland and Scottish Land Court. View full profile.
From litigation to mediation, we are on your side
At Harper Macleod we have one of the largest teams of dispute resolution solicitors in Scotland. More than half of our solicitors are involved regularly in contentious work - giving us a breadth of litigation expertise which sets us apart.
We are renowned for the range and quality of our dispute resolution expertise, which is as wide as the firm’s full service offering, and our team includes some of the country’s most talented disputes practitioners.
Working out of our main offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, we represent clients in every sector including insurance, banking, real estate & construction, energy & natural resources, retail, sport and the public sector.
We also have one of the most prominent teams in the Commercial Court in both the Court of Session and Sheriff Court and have been involved in a number of the most complex litigations in Scottish courts in recent years.
We also have extensive expertise in representing the firm’s clients, in both the public and private sectors, in proceedings for judicial review, statutory appeals and public enquiries involving issues of administrative, planning and environmental law.
Our approach to dispute resolution and litigation
When it comes to resolving disputes, we work hard to understand what matters to your business and how you would define success. Then we fight hard to ensure you achieve it.
Our team has a track record of out-thinking, out-manoeuvring and out-performing our opponents. We’re tenacious, and our clients can trust that their lawyers are driven to deliver on their behalf. Astute strategic thinking, forensic attention to detail and real commercial insight are the cornerstones of our approach.
Our Partner-led team has real strength in depth, providing commercially focused, pragmatic solutions, while our model ensures clients deal directly with a partner throughout, as a matter of course.
Alternative dispute resolution
We work closely with clients to identify areas of high risk – and and help them to anticipate and manage risks before they become contentious. If the best strategy is to avoid court then our team is highly experienced in securing solutions to contentious issues via mediation, adjudication, expert determination and arbitration.
Our core dispute resolution services include:
- Planning and environmental/public inquiries
- Property litigation
- Public law and judicial review
- Regulatory and compliance
- Reputation management/media & broadcasting
- Sports disciplinary
- Wills, trusts and estates
- PI & Reparation
Click here for more information on our specialist areas.
Key contacts - get in touch
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Partner
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Partner
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Partner
Chambers UK 2021Active on a range of disputes including property, insolvency and sports-related litigation. Experienced in handling breach of contract, breach of duties, negligence claims and post-M&A litigation. Adept group of litigators able to represent clients at all levels of court in Scotland and around the UK.
"They are brilliant," says a source, praising the team for its "good communication, quick responses and very user-friendly approach."
Chambers UK 2021Strong reputation as a highly able group of litigators equally capable of representing claimants and defendants. Clients include major banks, large corporations and public sector organisations. Active across a range of disputes in the banking and finance sector, including those concerning fraud, debt recovery and insolvency. Also acts for individuals against financial institutions in claims for negligence and breaches of contract.
"We were most grateful for the excellent and tenacious legal representation we received from the firm," says a source.
A client says: "The firm is extremely professional and well regarded, with an abundance of skills and good people."
Offers notable expertise in dilapidations claims, as well as other landlord and tenant matters. Experienced in handling disputes for public bodies, institutional landlords and corporate occupiers. Specialist offering acting for registered social landlords on commercial lease and development contract disputes.
Chambers UK 2021
Sandy Hastie heads the dispute resolution team and is an experienced commercial litigator. He has notable expertise in contractual and shareholder disputes, as well as professional negligence claims.
Chambers UK 2021
Andrew MacKenzie is a senior associate who is proficient in handling matters for both financial organisations and individual borrowers, including contract disputes and professional negligence actions.
Chambers UK 2021
"Andrew is a consummate professional and I could not have been more impressed with his work."
Andrew Upton is described by Legal 500 as a "contractual and property disputes specialist."
Legal 500 2021
David is described by Legal 500 as "a corporate and shareholder dispute expert". Sources say: ‘David Kerr is technically strong and has a pragmatic, commercial approach. David is likable, measured, diligent and enjoyable to work with – his background in accountancy assists massively. A trusted advisor, who remains calm in situations of time pressure. He is approachable and listens to requests, putting client requirements first and responding well to clarification and/ or challenge queries.‘ and ‘David Kerr stands out as an extremely adept commercial litigator. He combines a sharp intellect with real world down-to-earth practical nous to great effect. He is always a pleasure to work with and serves his clients very well.'
Legal 500 2021
Sandy Hastie is described by Legal 500 as "a corporate and shareholder dispute expert".
Legal 500 2021
Contact us
Call us for free on 0330 159 5555 or complete our online form below for legal advice or to arrange a call back.
Meet the team
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