Public bodies are facing unprecedented scrutiny as they strive to respond to growing demand for greater accountability and the provision of better and more cost-effective services. Thanks to our strong sector experience and market-leading expertise, we understand these challenges.
Our specialists work regularly with government and other public sector organisations, offering the full spectrum of relevant legal expertise. This in-depth, practical knowledge means we understand and can anticipate our clients’ requirements and provide authoritative guidance and support in working to deliver the best solutions.
Many of our government and public sector team also act for private sector entities, including lenders, which means we have a comprehensive understanding of the key drivers, risks and outcomes typically sought by all sides engaged on public sector matters.
We offer advice on a wide range of matters of interest to our clients, including:
- statutory powers and remit;
- judicial review and legal challenges;
- constitutional, governance and best practice;
- human rights;
- freedom of information;
- legislation; and
- procurement.
We have built strong relationships with our public sector clients, who regard us as their trusted advisers, and we are consistently ranked highly as legal advisers to local government by the two leading legal directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
Credentials
- appointed to all six lots of the Scottish Government Legal Framework and the UK Government Crown and Commercial Services (Scotland) Framework
- designing and supporting the NHS Highland Healing Process
- advising The City of Edinburgh Council on its racism enquiry
- successfully acted for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in all its Missing Trader Intra-Community (MTIC) fraud case appeals in Scotland, with a cumulative value of over £40 million
- acting for three of Scotland’s four Ancient Universities – Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen – and representing the pensions trustees at the fourth, St Andrews
- advising The Scottish Association for Marine Science, The Moredun Foundation and the pensions trustees at Stirling University
- advising States of Jersey, the parliament and government of the British Crown dependency of Jersey, on the procurement of the Future Hospital Project
- advising Wheatley Housing Group in connection with the procurement of its new £400 million framework for the development of new build housing