The ‘strong team’ at Brodies LLP excels in handling the full spectrum of commercial property matters for clients in a diverse range of sectors, including build-to-rent, life sciences, logistics, and industrials. Johane Murray, who leads the real estate department, is a key contact for private equity firms, real estate investment firms, and developers. Nick Scott’s practice covers multiple areas such as office, retail, leisure, student accommodations, and industrial properties. Richard Whyte is an expert in real estate investment, a space in which Allan Cairns also plays a crucial role. James Roscoe brings experience in handling investment, forward funding, and development deals. Colin Morrison is well-regarded for his work with international investors, retailers, hotel operators, and developers.

With ‘real strength-in-depth’, Burness Paull LLP offers expertise in regeneration projects, real estate investment, build-to-rent developments, and healthcare estates. Scott Peterkin leads the department with a specific focus on property development within the housebuilding sector. Richard Rennie garners high acclaim for both his property investment and development expertise. Nick Naddell, who specialises in cross-border deals, frequently represents major investors and retailers, while Graeme Bradshaw brings experience in commercial leasing to the table, particularly within the retail and leisure sectors.

The ‘high-quality team’ at CMS excels in advising on real estate matters across multiple sectors including public, energy, student accommodation and office developments. Paul Carter oversees the group and frequently assists institutional investors with development funding mandates. Allan Wernham specialises in retail development and investment, particularly focusing on major regeneration projects. Darina Kerr provides advice on all aspects of commercial property transactions, including development, acquisitions, and disposals. Barry Edgar joined the firm from Dentons in September 2023,

Pinsent Masons LLP is proficient in managing investments, commercial and residential developments, and cross-border transactions. The practice is spearheaded by Katharine Hardie, who concentrates on private-sector development work, particularly in regeneration projects. Russell Munro represents institutional investors and private property companies, handling the acquisition, management, and disposal of assets. Paul Connolly is an expert in multiparty development projects, while Martin Devine specialises in real estate development, investment transactions, and real estate finance. Alan Cook left the firm in June 2023.

Shepherd and Wedderburn advises on major developments, investments, and acquisitions, and is particularly well-regarded for its expertise in housebuilding mandates. Practice co-head Andrew Hall is an expert in residential property development, representing housebuilders and landowners in site transactions. Fellow co-head David Mitchell focuses on office, retail, and mixed-use projects, frequently acting for major UK REITs and institutional investment funds. Scott Ritchie brings additional expertise in developments, leasing, asset management, and real estate transactions. The group was strengthened by the promotions of Emma Guthrie and George McKinlay to partner in May 2023.

Addleshaw Goddard is actively engaged in sectors including student accommodation, hotels, and significant portfolio realignments. Alison Newton, who co-leads the firm’s UK and international real estate practice, focuses particularly on student accommodation and build-to-rent projects. Miles Ede, who heads the Scottish real estate team, is a popular choice for UK corporate occupier clients. Alastair Cowan often works with international private equity and institutional investors on portfolio acquisitions and the development of student accommodations. Caroline Coulter, promoted to partner in November 2023, specialises in real estate investment and asset management. Paul Ockrim and Nick Taylor left the firm in May 2023.

Burges Salmon LLP is active across the full spectrum of commercial property issues, serving institutional landlords, developers, commercial tenants, and investors. The firm is particularly noted for its expertise in the renewable energy sector and is regularly engaged in the hospitality and leisure industry. Richard Read leads the firm’s real estate department from Bristol, while Edinburgh-based Robert Forman heads the Scottish practice, with extensive experience in commercial property transactions, leasing, development, and secured lending. The team was strengthened by the promotion of Claire MacLean to partner in May 2023. She specialises in development transactions, landlord and tenant agreements, and property investments. Senior associate Fay Lamb contributes her expertise primarily in investment acquisitions and disposals.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts advises on projects across a diverse array of real estate sectors, such as offices, retail, hotels, and urban regeneration. The practice is led by Michael Ramsay, who guides developers, corporate occupiers, investors, and funders through a range of real estate mandates. Chris McLeish has a particular focus on the industrial and care sectors, bringing specialised knowledge to these areas. Douglas Lamb is actively involved in land development projects and investment transactions. Kelsey Gibson specialises in commercial and residential development, and handles leasing work for both landlords and tenants.

Well-regarded for its expertise in the living sector, Shoosmiths is also involved in the retail, leisure, development, and energy spaces. Practice head Janette Speed brings significant experience acting for national housebuilders and commercial developers, while Barry McKeown focuses on the housebuilding and build-to-rent sectors. Robin Mitchell acts for occupiers in the retail and logistics sector, as well as landlords, and Sheelagh Cooley leads the real estate finance practice. Active in the residential development area, Rachel Munro is another key member of the team.

Known for advising public sector and education clients, Anderson Strathern is also active in the retail, leisure, and housing spaces. The department is led by Anne McGregor, who acts for investors, landlords, occupiers, and developers. Ruth Maclean brings experience in negotiating contracts for residential developments on both brownfield and greenfield sites. Fiona McKinnon concentrates on the petroleum sector and regeneration projects.

Davidson Chalmers Stewart assists clients engaged in developments, acquisitions, disposals, and leasing across the residential, commercial, and alternative sectors. Promoted to practice head in August 2023, Nicola Scott advises on all aspects of real estate transactions, including the property and financing of renewable energy projects. Managing Partner Andrew Chalmers, the former head of real estate, continues to offer his expertise to domestic and overseas investment funds, developers, and leisure operators. Steven McAllister left the firm in December 2023; Andy Tyler joined in August 2023 from Burness Paull LLP.

Led by Brian Hutcheson from the firm's Glasgow office, Dentons assists clients with all aspects of real estate, including acquisitions, disposals, development, and regeneration, as well as leasing, bridging finance, and estate management. The group has notable expertise in the student accommodation, build-to-rent, retail, and logistics sectors. Barry Edgar left the firm in September 2023.

DLA Piper provides a ‘diverse range of specialist advice’ in real estate transactions, particularly in the retail, purpose-built student accommodation, build-to-rent, and hotel sectors. Drew Wallace, who leads the practice, focuses on property development, acquisitions, and disposals. Finlay Campbell‘s broad client base includes property investment companies, pension funds, healthcare providers, and corporate occupiers.

Under the leadership of Robin Watt, DWF advises retail and leisure operators, corporate occupiers, developers, and institutional clients on a range of real estate, portfolio and project work. David Ratter assists blue-chip clients with leasing, development, sales, and acquisitions. The team also features Iain McHardy, a ‘knowledgeable and highly skilled’ retail property lawyer. Former practice co-head Kevin McGlone left the firm in December 2023.

Particularly active in the retail and housebuilder sectors, the ‘very effective team’ at Gillespie Macandrew LLP is spearheaded by Kenneth Irons, who is frequently instructed by multinational corporate clients, SMEs, and family businesses. Gregor Peebles focuses on development, investment, retail, and property finance, Harry Smith leads the housebuilder team, specialising in residential development, while Nikki Dundas advises on all aspects of commercial property transactions.

The ‘very responsive and experienced property team’ at Lindsays is active across a wide range of occupier, property finance, development, and investment matters. Practice head Derek Nash regularly handles transactions for London-based clients. Kenny Gray specialises in office and hotel investments as well as healthcare transactions. Dawn Anderson offers expertise in retail and leisure property.

Helmed by Paul Jennings, the commercial real estate group at Aberdein Considine is regularly engaged in projects in the retail, investment, development, and property finance spaces. Chris Richardson's practice strengths include work connected to urban regeneration and mixed-use developments. David Orr offers experience in investment acquisition, financing, and property portfolio management.

BTO Solicitors LLP, under the leadership of Jane Steel, offers a ‘professional, well-priced, and user-friendly’ service to its clients. Notable team members include David Gibson, who is active in the charity, retail, and renewable energy spaces, Scott Buchan, who deals with investment and development related matters, and Nicholas McBride, who regularly advises investors, tenants, landowners, and property development funders.

With ‘wide competency across the team’, Eversheds Sutherland regularly advises corporate occupiers, real estate developers, and institutional investors. Steven Dick directs the real estate practice, with a practice that encompasses property investment, asset management, and development. Alan Cook and James Gibson joined from Pinsent Masons LLP in July and November 2023 respectively, both bringing significant expertise in the energy sector.

Harper Macleod LLP‘s ‘excellent’ team is jointly led Chris Noble, an expert in lease acquisitions and lease management, and Caroline Summers, who regularly acts for financial institutions, institutional landlords, and SMEs. John Meehan is experienced in dealing with the real estate aspects of restructuring, property finance, and residential developments. Alexis Condie joined the firm in March 2024 from Dentons, bringing experience in shopping centres and industrial estates asset management, while Leandro Franchi and Peter Jack came aboard in November 2023 from commercial property boutique Franchi Law.

Thorntons Law LLP operates across the healthcare, education, social housing, and retail sectors. Co-leading the team alongside Dundee-based Ewan Miller, Gary Thomas in Edinburgh is a key contact for high-net-worth individuals, corporates and institutions. Meanwhile, Paul Haniford advises UK and overseas-based developers, funders, and investors, and tenants from Glasgow on an array of real estate mandates.

Brian Armour leads the practice at TLT, specialising in commercial property transactions, encompassing the sale and acquisition of retail units, factories, and offices. Key team members include Howard Beach, a commercial leasing specialist; Donna Strong, who is active in the retail and leisure sectors; and Andrew McCowan,  who frequently handles investment purchases and sales.

Bellwether Green, led by founding partner John Bingham, assists London law firms with Scots law aspects of transactions and is regularly instructed by institutional clients. Steven Templeton, experienced in commercial transactions and real estate finance, is a key member to note.

Blackadders LLP, spearheaded by Neil Robb, supports clients in the sale, acquisition, investment, and leasing of commercial properties. The team was strengthened by the addition of John Elder in November 2023, who joined from Shepherd and Wedderburn, where he gained experience in cross-border transactions, development work, and property finance in the healthcare sector. Andrew Yule acts for landlords and tenants, including in relation to new-build developments.

With ‘seasoned, experienced practitioners in Scottish real estate law’, Gilson Gray has seen an increase in instructions related to student accommodation developments. Murray Stewart leads the real estate team, regularly supporting clients across the retail, industrial, and office sectors. Meanwhile, Donna Kelly-Gilmour is experienced in advising on the buying, selling, leasing, and development of projects. John Fulton left the firm in December 2023.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is well-versed in leasing, transactional, and development matters. The practice is directed by Paul Mason, who assists occupiers, landlords, and buyers in the retail, office and industrial sectors. He is supported by Clare Lamond, who specialises in retail leasing, including lease acquisitions, renewals, and management issues.

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP assists clients with the acquisition of land for industrial development, as well as the leasing of residential and industrial units. Michael Dewar leads the department, catering to clients in the healthcare, industrial, and professional sectors. Joanne Ockrim is experienced in leasing, secured lending, investment sales, while Gillian Cowie acts for owner-managed businesses, charities, and multinational corporations.