www.biggartbaillie.co.uk

Transaction Highlights

Scottish Public Sector

Wayne Lawrence PartnerWayne has a strong track record in advising public sector bodies on a range of major strategic projects and initiatives. He has advised Highland Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Fife Council, Scottish Borders Council and South Ayrshire Council on significant projects and procurements. He is currently actively engaged in a range of initiatives related to the shared services agenda.

David Ratter PartnerDavid is the firm’s lead property partner on Public Sector and PFI/PPP transactions generally. David is experienced in all areas of commercial property and in particular, site assembly, development agreements, planning and environmental considerations and in providing property input into joint venture party agreements and structures. David also has experience of handling complex and innovative large-scale transactions including securitisation transactions and housing stock transfers.

Alan Strain PartnerAlan is a Solicitor, Advocate and part-time employment judge who is accredited as a specialist in employment law by The Law Society of Scotland.

Alan represents a number of local authorities in employment matters and equal pay and regularly advises HR professionals and employers on policies, procedures, contracts, discipline, TUPE, trade unions, and grievances.

Jennifer Spence PartnerJennifer heads up our Public and Administrative law team. She works closely with our specialist teams to deliver a bespoke, expert service to our Public Sector clients.   She principally acts for local authorities and other public bodies, working in partnership with them to deal with challenges and disputes, particularly Judicial Review and Appeals against decisions of Councils, lower Courts and other tribunals.  

Ian McCann PartnerIan provides 'non-contentious' construction advice to a wide range of clients. Ian ensures that construction documentation can be provided for all construction procurement routes and forms of appointments that, if entered into, will reduce the risk of the value of an investment being undermined by any construction risk uncertainty that may arise from informal or ill-drafted contracts.

Jessel Gair SolicitorJessel advises a range of public and private sector clients on a variety of planning issues including planning applications, appeals and public inquiries, compulsory purchase and compensation, regeneration, brownfield redevelopment and renewable energy projects. In addition, with Jessel's experience of working for Dumfries & Galloway Council, he is particularly skilled in the preparation and negotiation of planning agreements. He is also dual-qualified in England & Wales.

2009 was a busy year for Biggart Baillie’s public sector team. The big public sector stories for 2009 were the Year of Homecoming promoted by the Scottish Government and VisitScotland, Donald Trump’s proposed new Golf Course development at Balmedie and the Edinburgh trams project. All high profile, controversial and heavily featured in the media - and Biggart Baillie’s public sector team was advising at the heart of each of them.

Biggart Baillie is already playing its part in supporting change and innovation within the Public Sector in Scotland by working with organisations such as:  The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, VisitScotland, University of Dundee, Aberdeenshire Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Clackmannanshire Council, Highland Council, Perth and Kinross Council, South Lanarkshire College, Aberdeen University and British Transport Police.

The detail:We continue to advise Aberdeenshire Council on issues arising out of the Trump application for a golf and leisure resort at Balmedie. This year advice related to the highly controversial potential use of CPO powers and the start of operations on site.

AberdeenshireCouncil

The detailWe have continued to act as legal advisors to the Council on ALL property, commercial and employment matters. We also undertake claims work for the Council.

FifeCouncil

The detailRepresenting the Council in a major wind farm inquiry in relation to a proposed development with deemed planning permission, examining the potential for environmental impacts on a variety of natural heritage features.

Dumfries & GallowayCouncil

The detailAdvising on the multi-million pound 2nd generation ICT outsourcing project, including procurement strategy, risk and commercial evaluation and contractual documentation.

Advising on administrative law issues including Judicial Review proceedings

The HighlandCouncil

The detailProviding legal advice to this joint venture limited company set up by Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling Councils to collaborate on the provision of geographical information, systems and services throughout Scotland.

Forth Valley GIS

The detailAct for Falkirk Council in the drafting of a Development Agreement among the Council and its development partners for the proposed redevelopment and regeneration of Grangemouth town centre.

FalkirkCouncil

The detailAdvised North Lanarkshire Leisure Limited (NLL) on EU public procurement implications of two major restructuring projects to be undertaken by North Lanarkshire Council – relating to new sports facilities to be constructed.

North Lanarkshire

Leisure

The detailWe advised VisitScotland and EventScotland on a wide range of issues including: EU procurement, contracts for management of sports and cultural events, branding, sponsorship agreements, employment and litigation.

VisitScotland

The detailAdvising on the design and construction of the new campus in East Kilbride. This was to form a single unified campus of 15,500 sq metres purpose built for the colleges’ needs replacing their existing centres in the south west of Glasgow.

South Lanarkshire

College

The detailCaledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL) is the new name for Caledonian MacBrayne Limited. We advised on a range of strategic and operational matters ranging from the review of harbour dues to the removal of abandoned vessels.

Caledonian Maritime

Assets Limited

With over 20 partners and other fee earners working with public sector clients, our team is one of the largest in the country. We provide organisations of all shapes and sizes with legal advice through every stage of their development.

How can we be sure of delivering the best advice for each client?

By recognising each one individually and really getting to know what makes their business tick.

Our Public Sector PartnersGlasgow

Neil Amner, Partner namner@biggartbaillie.co.uk

Martin Gallaher, Partner mgallaher@biggartbaillie.co.uk

Murray Shaw, Partner mshaw@biggartbaillie.co.uk

Edinburgh

Wayne Lawrence, Partner wlawrence@biggartbaillie.co.uk

David Ratter, Partner dratter@biggartbaillie.co.uk

Jennifer Spence, Partner jspence@biggartbaillie.co.uk

GlasgowDalmore House, 310 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5QR DX GW9

Tel: +44 (0) 141 228 8000 FAX: +44(0) 141 228 8310

EdinburghNo. 2 Lochrin Square, 96 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QA DX ED15

Tel: +44 (0) 131 226 5541 FAX: +44(0) 131 226 2278