Public Sector Solicitors
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Award-winning advice for Scotland's public sector
Our Public Sector team is one of Scotland’s leading practices, acting for a wide range of Scottish and UK public authorities as well as those in the private sector who interact with the public sector.Â
We provide clients with a full range of legal, regulatory, strategic and commercial advice, helping them to deliver services in an increasingly challenging environment.
Our in-depth understanding of the public sector gives us an unrivalled perspective and understanding of the key priorities for public authorities and what they need from their external legal advisers.
Clients include central Government departments, Government agencies, NDPBs, local authorities, regulatory bodies, charities and community organisations, further and higher education institutions, regeneration agencies and registered social landlords.
Why choose us?
As part of one of Scotland’s largest independent law firms, we provide solution driven, commercially focused and risk aware advice which enables public authorities to achieve their statutory and policy objectives in a compliant manner while at the same time achieving best value.Â
We have worked on many of the most complex, high profile and high value projects in the sector and have been responsible for development of innovative models for delivery of public services which have subsequently been adopted by the sector as a whole.Â
We deliver our advice on time and on budget and have extensive experience of working collaboratively with in-house legal and other specialist teams. In a spirit of genuine partnership many of our lawyers have worked in-house or on secondment to our clients.
Harper Macleod LLP’s "good and reliable" team "has considerate experience and knowledge" of handling judicial reviews and statutory appeals for public sector clients while also handling contentious and non-contentious planning law, housing law and procurement matters. The Legal 500
Key contacts - get in touch
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Partner
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Key services
- Competition law
- Data protection and FOI
- Dispute resolution
- Establishment of arms’ length vehicles
- Governance issues
- Innovative use of statutory powers
- Judicial review
- Outsourcing
- Planning and environmental
- Policy
- Procurement
- Public sector project work
- State aid
- Strategic partnering and joint venture arrangements
- Vires issues
Work examples
Public procurement
We advised on procurement of a £140m next generation broadband solution for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, a project described by the Scottish Government as the most complex infrastructure project of its kind ever undertaken in the UK.
Judicial review
Members of our team have advised various local authorities in relation to the successful defence of judicial review challenges to Planning Committee decisions in respect of planning applications for retail, leisure, housing and renewable energy projects.
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Joint venture shared services
We advised a non-departmental public body (NDPB) in relation to a multi-authority joint venture shared services and commercialisation project, which is the first project of its kind in the UK.
Chambers UK 2021Regularly instructed in high-profile disputes on a wide range of administrative and public law matters. Particularly known for representing Scottish Government, government directorates, local authorities and other public bodies. Strong focus on judicial reviews and statutory appeals related to procurement, human rights and Brexit.
A source reports: "The advice received has been clear and easy to understand from a non-legal customer point of view."
Top-drawer social housing practice with significant experience acting for public sector entities, registered social landlords (RSLs) and private developers. Noted expertise in mergers and transactions throughout the sector and has particular knowledge of the Scottish Help to Buy scheme and stock transfers. Also regularly advises on regulatory and governance matters, and offers expertise in private placement finance deals.
One client comments:Â "The breadth and depth of expertise throughout the firm enables Harper Macleod to provide an all-round first-class service."
Chambers UK 2021Another impressed client says:Â "The firm has an excellent reputation for delivering a high level of service and for their in-depth knowledge and experience in the Scottish housing sector."
James McMorrow is highly experienced in handling regulatory matters, in addition to advising RSLs on constitutional partnerships.
"He is a subject matter expert, with a keenly developed knowledge of our sector, the environment in which we operate and the issues we face." "He is very professional and gives clear advice. He is a thoughtful and practical individual."
Chambers UK 2021
Co-head Derek Hogg puts particular emphasis on governance, regulatory and constitutional work. A client comments: 'Derek Hogg has considerable expertise and knowledge of the housing sector and is a recognised industry expert in the regulation of housing associations. Not only did he demonstrate a high level of skill in terms of the advice he gave but also he was very pragmatic in his assessment of the impact of various loan clauses. In this he exhibited a thorough understanding of our organisation and the sector.‘
Chambers UK 2021
The "super" Jennifer Jack is known for her strength in judicial review challenges against the decisions of public authorities, regulators and the courts. A source observes: "She is really thorough, thinks outside of the box and is accessible."
Chambers UK 2021
Co-head James McMorrow is a key contact for corporate, commercial, regulatory and public procurement matters.
Legal 500 2021
Collette Miller is a key contact for social housing legislation and regulatory issues.
Legal 500 2021
Jennifer Jack is a respected civil liberties practitioner who regularly acts for charities, individuals and companies in challenging the decisions of public bodies.
Chambers UK 2021
"She thinks outside of the box, she is very accessible, and the quality of her work is exemplary."Â "She is experienced and efficient to deal with."
Derek Hogg receives high praise for his impressive experience in the social housing market. He advises RSLs, local authorities and other public bodies on a range of governance, regulatory and constitutional issues.
Chambers UK 2021
"Derek has considerable expertise and knowledge of the housing sector and is a recognised industry expert in the regulation of housing associations." "He is very well known, highly respected and highly experienced."
Co-head Jennifer Jack is well versed in defending judicial reviews and statutory appeals.
Legal 500 2021
Derek Hogg regularly provides governance, regulatory and constitutional advice.
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.
