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Turcan Connell acclaimed by Chambers

Chambers UK Guide has once again praised Turcan Connell.
 

Agriculture and Rural Affairs

The Firm: Founded specifically to act for private clients and charities, this "distinctive, strong and proactive" firm is going through an impressive expansionist phase. Market forces acknowledge it as "one of the biggest private client law firms in Scotland." More than 30 of its solicitors and legal trainees are dedicated exclusively to agriculture and estates work, giving it a strength and depth virtually unparalleled in Scotland. Clients observe that it has become especially prominent on land reform issues as "the lawyers really work with new legislation, taking an exceptionally aggressive standpoint." The practice had a consistent flow of work resulting from the agricultural tenant and community right to buy schemes. The land and property team, led by Jon Robertson, has conducted a series of seminars throughout Scotland, supported by a series of briefing notes, explaining aspects of land reform. Lately, it has been involved in Scotland's largest crofting community right to buy transactions. Unlike many of its competitors, the firm boasts a dedicated contentious agricultural law unit to deal with Land Court matters in-house, with associates appearing in court to see a dispute through to resolution. Although the firm acts on all sides on wind farm matters, its planning and environment work has a purely rural focus - from the viewpoint of the landowner, not that of the developer. A recent roadshow it organised focused on diversification and the environment.

The Lawyers: Malcolm Strang Steel has "an academic, encyclopaedic knowledge of agriculture" and is "very much at the top of his tree." Remaining active in the sector, he is Secretary of the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters' Association and is involved with the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association Committees. Representing landowners in South Uist, he has worked on a transaction involving 800 crofters and 60 crofting townships. Jonathan Robertson acted in more than 20 wind farm projects representing landowners, funders, developers and objectors in different proposed developments. Clients have a lot of time for his "outstanding diligence" and enjoy his "vigorous and well-informed analysis of the law," viewing him as "a skilled practitioner moving into rural projects and rural energy." Joint senior partner Robert Turcan "always gives the impression he is on top of the subject" and is thought "highly capable" by peers. He is involved in some of the firm's biggest sales, purchases and refinancing arrangements. Adam Gillingham is regarded as "a good lawyer, especially in trust matters" and recently chaired a conference (co-hosted by the John Muir Trust, Turcan Connell and Enviros) on resolving conflict arising from the development of rural Scotland. Clients and competitors say Lewis Kermack is "an articulate and forceful litigator as well as an unusually lateral thinker who is making his mark in the court domain." Seen as one of Scotland's most notable practitioners in contentious agricultural law, he has built up a strong Land Court practice, taking "a robust stance" on the new Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act and Land Reform (Scotland) Act. His advisory work for the RSPB (Scotland) includes interpreting the technical aspects of these reforms and EU regulations. He is endorsed by many sources as "a first-class lawyer who will instigate a well-rounded debate to ensure a sound business decision is made." Clients/Work Highlights: Clients are traditional owners of landed estates and historic houses, national institutions and charitable bodies such as the RSPB (Scotland) and John Muir Trust. Landowning clients have been advised on issues such as tenancy agreements, rights of access, environmental and planning issues and boundary disputes. Transactions include the Sale of Assynt Estate, Lochinver, to a community body, and the purchase of Quinag, Sutherland and Housebyres, near Melrose.

Charities

The Firm: This top-of-the range outfit is heralded as a "huge authority" on private client and complex trusts work. The group consists of three accredited charities specialists and the firm also provides additional expertise in property, employment, investment matters and the administration needs of charities right across the board. The team wins accolades for its close involvement in the new Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the establishment of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. The group also advised the National Library of Scotland on the possible acquisition of the John Murray Archive, and supported the Scottish Council of Independent Schools on issues surrounding the new public benefit test.

The Lawyers: Simon Mackintosh is a "huge charities player," widely praised for his "rigorous technical approach." He was heavily involved in the drafting of the new charities Act and is noted for providing clients with stellar advice on new regulatory developments. Douglas Connell is a "well-connected mine of knowledge" according to clients, who note his strength in dealing with arts, heritage and conservation charities. He is an accredited specialist in trust and charity law, as is Robin Fulton - a "solid" tax and estates expert. Clients/Work Highlights: National Museums of Scotland; National Galleries of Scotland; Save the Children; The Robertson Trust; Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Family/Matrimonial

The Firm: This “proactive , gold-chip firm” has an “exceptionally strong” family team of over seven fee earners. Market commentators have a “great deal of time for them,” while clients are impressed with the “superb” client care they receive. The practice handles a great deal of high-value divorce and separation cases in the Court of Session and in the Sheriff Court. It is fortunate in being able to utilise the expertise of other departments in the firm in order to advise on areas such as personal tax planning, trusts, financial planning and investments. The firm also handles cross-border and jurisdictional work as well as disputes involving children.

The Lawyers: Alasdair Loudon is “top-drawer” and ably manages the family team as head of department. Sources note that he is good at getting the work in of a very high quality. Loudon mainly deals with financial provision and is “extremely effective” at what he does. “Impressive” Philippa Cunniff was made up as a partner in April 2006 and is dual-qualified in Scots and English law. She is “an absolute delight” to work with and is “extremely thorough and sensible .” Both Gillian Crandles and Richard Smith are new additions to the tables. Crandles was important in bringing collaborative law to Scottish shores and is highly rated by interviewees. Smith “doesn’t take any prisoners but is fair .” He is one to watch.

Trusts & Personal Tax

The Firm: Throughout Scotland, this dedicated private client firm is unsurpassed in size, profile, expertise, and clientele. Commentators recognise it as “very much the leader,” and its tax, trusts and executries expertise forms a pivotal part of the firm’s profile in financial and international trusts services. The team’s impetus shows no sign of slowing, with its advice very much in demand by clients and professional referrers on all aspects of tax and estate planning, succession law, asset protection, trusts and probate and financial planning. During 2005, the firm launched its family office wealth management service to accommodate more affluent private clients, and expertise on international issues and cross-border trust and tax planning matters have come to the fore. In spite of the firm’s investment management team, it continues to work with accountancy firms and IFAs.

The Lawyers: Joint senior partner Douglas Connell is a “highly respected” expert on trusts, asset protection and heritage property, advising wealthy private individuals and families, directors and chief executives, and a number of institutional and private charities and their trustees. “Strong practitioner” Robin Fulton acts for individuals and landed clients, and specialises in the establishment and administration of charities as well as UK and international aspects of capital taxation, succession trust law and asset protection matters. Head of the charity unit, “high-profile” Simon Mackintosh “achieves great things” and advises on charity and offshore trust matters, and tax and estate planning for high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs and landowners. He is particularly well versed in international aspects of trust taxation. Ian Clark is “extremely bright,” providing advice on asset protection for wealthy entrepreneurs, landowners and business individuals. He is “a wizard” on the use of trusts in inheritance and capital gains tax planning, succession planning and asset protection, and specialises in the tax treatment of charities.

Read the reviews on the Chambers UK Guide.

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For further information, contact Tom Govan on 0131 228 8111
Mobile: 07779 579737
E-mail: tg@turcanconnell.com