The market-leading practice at Brodies LLP acts for the largest charities, regulatory bodies and higher education institutions in Scotland. Practice head Kenneth Pinkerton has considerable experience in handling the gamut of charity and third sector-related mandates, including governance issues, mergers and reorganisations. With a focus on corporate governance matters, Brenda Scott further bolsters the team’s capabilities, and Christine O’Neill is recognised for her experience as a litigator. Commercial contract specialist Martin Sloan and accredited mediator Lynne Marr are other key members of the team, and Rebekah Leviston is also recommended.

Accredited charity law specialist Victoria Simpson, Gillian Harkness-McKinlay, and Audrey Cameron jointly steer the team at Anderson Strathern, advising major Scottish clients on the gamut of contentious and non-contentious charity mandates. The ‘experienced and knowledgeable’ practice frequently assists with regulatory issues, acquisition of assets and mergers. With a focus on employment law, Barry Nicol continues to advise high education institutions and independent schools on charity matters, while Douglas McLachlan assists with IP cases.

Burness Paull LLP acts for a wide range of higher education, social housing and healthcare clients on various advisory and regulatory matters. Team leader Graeme Palmer assists with public sector projects, advising charities on acquisitions and corporate governance issues. Other key contacts in the group include Emma Maxwell and Emma Manson, who regularly handle constitutional amendments, obtain charitable status and support charities on various GDPR issues.

Led by ‘excellent practitioner’ Lianne Lodge, the practice at Gillespie Macandrew LLP regularly advises on trustee and corporate governance matters, land development projects, and the full range of liability cases. The team also provides comprehensive succession planning advice to high-net-worth individuals, in addition to handling charity restructurings and mergers. Accredited charity specialist Alan Gilfillan re-joined the team from Balfour+Manson LLP in 2023, leading on regulatory inquiries and reorganisation schemes. Fiona Cameron assists with contentious matters and Laura Kirkman advises on asset transfers.

Harper Macleod LLP acts for social housing clients in the charity sector, instructing the team to negotiate and assist with financial objectives. The practice also regularly advises on the full range of data protection and regulatory matters. James McMorrow and Derek Hogg jointly lead the team, with extensive experience in acting for charities on commercial, regulatory, and compliance mandates. With a focus on contentious cases, Jennifer Jack handles judicial review appeals against public bodies and regulators. Fiona Killen is another key contact in the group.

Lindsays acts for charities, faith-based organisations, higher education institutions and trusts on corporate and trustee governance and regulatory matters, in addition to structural changes. Accredited charity law specialist Helen Kidd leads the team, handling financial authority-related issues and advising high-net-worth individuals on lifetime philanthropy mandates. With considerable experience in employment law, Kate Wyatt and Ben Doherty further bolster the team’s strength by providing strategic advice to charity clients in employment tribunal claims. John Thom advises a variety of third sector organisations, executors, and beneficiaries.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts’ practice excels at assisting charities with a wide range of advisory work, including charitable and corporate governance, data protection and GDPR issues, in addition to structuring matters. The team maintains close relationships with high education institutes, public sector institutions, and registered charities, regularly advising on the full gamut of employment-related mandates. Valerie Armstrong-Surgenor spearheads the team, defending charities in Court of Session actions and advising on sectoral legislation. Other key members of the team include Robin Fallas and Christopher Murphy.

The practice at Shepherd and Wedderburn is jointly steered by Malcolm Rust, Christopher McGill, Alexis Graham, Keith McLaren, and Gillian Campbell. The team frequently assists with matters concerning corporate and trustee governance, philanthropy, and formation and reorganisation of charities. The firm’s client roster includes ultra high-net-worth families and individuals, representative and regulatory bodies, and higher education institutions. Emma Read is another key contact in the team.

BTO Solicitors LLP’s team services a large number of charity sector and further education clients on a wide variety of issues, including construction, employment, and commercial law matters. Glasgow-based senior associate Marion Davis leads the team, regularly handling governance, contract and regulatory mandates. Laura Salmond and Caroline Carr, accredited employment specialists, continue to assist with the full range of related advisory matters, including voluntary severance processes and budget cuts. Michael Kitson further bolsters the team’s capabilities with his expertise in corporate governance.