Semple Fraser steps up in legal directory ratings
The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners directories, which review all the UK’s leading law firms, once again show Semple Fraser is making good progress in it’s focus areas.
The directories comment that:
“Semple Fraser is best known for its top-notch real estate and environment practices and the firm has seen consistent growth…”
The Semple Fraser Commercial Property group was highly commended and once again sits high up in the Legal 500 and Chambers rankings. Clients praised this "proactive and commercial," group which was described as having “a strong team with a UK-wide client base” who were all dedicated to "getting the deal done as smoothly and as quickly as possible." Deals for The British Land Corporation and The McKenzie Partnership were highlighted.
Commentators underline the "terrific rainmaking skills" and "great foresight and planning" of the "old-school professional" Paul Haniford . “Technical knowledge and commercial opportunism" earned Simon Etchells credit and Alister Fraser was also a leader in his field.
The Environment team’s hard work has paid off once again this year with the group again moving up in the rankings after commentators noted a significant increase in the team's contentious capabilities. “Expert” Vincent Brown and “promising” Barry Love were noted for “spearheading an accomplished team of five". The team gained multinational chemicals conglomerate Avecia International as a client in 2003 which indicates “the quality of clients which the team now attracts”. “Big hitter" Vincent Brown was praised for his "comprehensive knowledge" of environmental law.
The Semple Fraser Corporate team again moved up the rankings. Described as a team who "just gets the deals done" and offers "a receptive, personal service", both peers and clients appreciated the team's "straightforward, common-sense approach." The group was noted for advising Glenmorangie on its public offer for the entire shared capital of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and the Scottish Prison Service.
Once again the Legal 500 and Chambers recommended the firm's "dedicated and experienced" Insolvency and Corporate Recovery team.
The Banking and Finance team, described as a “solid practice”, is moving rapidly up the rankings and is well placed alongside other top Scottish firms. The team is endorsed as a “young and flexible unit”. The directories highlighted Semple Fraser advising the Bank of Scotland on its £100m funding of Stainton Capital amongst other notable deals.
The Litigation team is commended for being “particularly strong in construction and property disputes, and insolvency matters” and also that “the real estate capabilities were enhanced with the arrival of partner Denise Loney ”. The practice is known for the quality of its clients which led competitors to praise the team's "dynamic approach when acting for tenants”.
The Planning team is also described as “quietly impressive” and Kenneth Carruthers as an “excellent” lawyer.
Both The Legal 500 and Chambers surveys demonstrate that the firm continues to move forward in it’s key specialist areas.
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