Clients

We are very fortunate to have a fantastic client list – and we work very hard to keep it that way.  By delivering outstanding service and by developing and establishing good working relationships, we support the strategic aims and objectives of our clients.  We believe that our client list reflects the depth, breadth and quality of expertise we offer.  This page shows a selection of the clients we work with.

 Click on the Client list for information about recent work

 
  • Aberdeen Asset Management PLC

    The lawyers we instruct at Shepherd and Wedderburn provide an exemplary service and are quick to offer practical solutions when problems arise. They are a pleasure to work with.

    Gordon Brough, Global Head of Legal
    Aberdeen Asset Management PLC

    Advised on the acquisition by Aberdeen Asset Management PLC of Glasgow Investment Managers Limited for £8.95m.

  • AEGON UK

    In working with Shepherd and Wedderburn, I have been impressed by their ability to support the business – a strong focus on delivery: you get what you need, when you need it.

    James MacKenzie, General Counsel
    AEGON UK - Recent work

    Acted for Aegon UK in the sale of its third party pension administration business to corporate consultants, Goddard Perry.

  • Alliance Trust plc

    Shepherd and Wedderburn has a strong brand and quality people who help me to get to the right answer in a straightforward and commercial way. The advice they provide at all levels of the firm and across a wide range of subject areas is pragmatic and directed towards finding the best solution for us as a Company.

    Donald McPherson, Company Secretary
    Alliance Trust plc - Recent work

    Advised on the merger of The Alliance Trust PLC with The Second Alliance Trust PLC, creating the largest generalist investment trust in the UK.

    Acted on behalf of Alliance Trust Real Estate Partners (GP) Limited in the £10 million sale of 125 George Street, Edinburgh (Tiger Lily) to Lothbury Property Trust Company Limited.

  • Biocompatibles International plc

    Clear technical advice blended with a strong understanding of the commercial issues. Also highly responsive, and fun to work with.

    Crispin Simon, Former CEO
    Biocompatibles International plc - Recent work

    Acting for Biocompatibles International, a Main Market listed medical technology company valued at £177 million, on its recommended acquisition by BTG plc.

    Advising Biocompatibles International in relation to the acquisition of cancer diagnostic assets and related IP of Astron Clinica Limited (in administration), a reorganisation of reserves, including a £49 million court approved cancellation of share premium account, to enable the company to pay its first dividend, and IP licensing.

  • Bord Gais Networks
    Bord Gais Networks

    We were appointed by Bord Gais in Cork, Ireland to advise their "Independent Transmission Operator" (ITO) company, which requires to be established in order to comply with the EU “Third Package” Directive. 

     

  • Bowleven plc

    For the past five years S+W have been our first port of call for all our legal services.  We have found the quality of advice and the level of service across the firm to be outstanding.  We especially value and derive a real benefit from their understanding and interest in the oil and gas sector and I genuinely believe their proactive approach really makes a difference to our business.

    Peter Wilson, Director and General Counsel
    Bowleven plc - Recent work

    Acting for Bowleven on equity placings to raise finance for exploration and acquisition activities with a value of $375 million.

    Acting for Bowleven in the farm-out to Vitol of interests in the Etinde Permit offshore Cameroon for $225 million.

    Acting for Bowleven in the recommended all share public offer for FirstAfrica Oil for a value of $58 million.

  • British Land plc

    The property lawyers I use at Shepherd and Wedderburn inspire real confidence. I know they are protecting my interests and I can rely on them to reach a commercial conclusion.

    Ben Grose, Retail Asset Manager
    British Land plc - Recent work

    We advised British Land in relation to a judicial review that was raised against Highland Council, the effect of which quashed planning permissions granted in British Land's favour. We advised on the prospects of success and whether or not to enter the process.

  • Cairn Energy plc

    They are not just corporate legal advisers: they have a deep understanding of the oil and gas industry and what we in Cairn are looking to achieve strategically.  They put forward achievable, common sense solutions which always meet our aims.

    Jann Brown, Finance Director
    Cairn Energy plc - Recent work

    Acted for Cairn Energy on the $6.3 billion global offering of securities by Cairn India and admission of Cairn India to Bombay and National Stock Exchanges.

    UK legal advisers to Cairn Energy on its proposed sale to Vedanta Resources plc of up to 51% of Cairn India Limited with a value of up to £5.65 billion.

    Acting for Cairn Energy on a $174 million accelerated bookbuilt placing.

    UK legal advisers to Cairn Energy on its $450 million acquisition of Agora Oil & Gas AS.

  • Cenkos Securities plc
    Cenkos Securities plc

    Acted for Cenkos Securities plc in its capacity as nominated adviser on the re-admission to AIM, and related placing, of shares in Xtract Energy PLC.

    Acted for Cenkos Securities plc in its capacity as nominated adviser and broker on the AIM IPO, and related placing of new and existing shares, of Easydate plc.

     

  • Chivas Brothers Limited
    Chivas Brothers Limited

    Advising Chivas Brothers in relation to the enforcement of trade mark and related branding rights against infringing parties.  Also advising Chivas Brothers in relation to a trade mark dispute with a competing whisky producer leading to Court of Session proceedings in Scotland together with trade mark challenges in the intellectual property office.

    Advising Chivas Brothers Limited in relation to various limited partnership structures.

    Provision of property advice for Chivas group on an ongoing basis in relation to restructurings or aquisitions.

  • Clydesdale Bank
    Clydesdale Bank

    Acted in connection with the setting up of the Lanark Master Issuer Programme and the Clydesdale Covered Bond Programme.

    Advising on the provision of £140 million facilities for Robert Wiseman plc. 

  • F&C Asset Management plc

    Shepherd and Wedderburn are a joy to work with, the advice is always clear and concise and the team are accessible and responsive to enquiries.

    Marrack Tonkin, Company Secretary
    F&C Asset Management plc
  • Global Infrastructure Partners

    Advised Global Infrastructure Partners, a leading global infrastructure fund in relation to Real Estate, Planning and Finance aspects of their acquisition from British Airways Authority of Edinburgh Airport for £807.2 million.

  • Heineken UK

    There are some brilliant, quality people at Shepherd and Wedderburn. The firm is our first port of call for corporate transactions in the UK and we have an excellent relationship.

    Graeme Colquhoun, Head of UK Legal
    Heineken UK - Recent work

    Advising Scottish & Newcastle (now Heineken) in a number of complex competition matters, including obtaining European Commission clearance for its distribution joint venture with Kuehne & Nagel.

    Advising in the sale of its wholesale division Waverly TBS Limited to investment firm Manfield Partners.

    Acting on behalf of Heineken UK Limited in relation to high value debt recovery; insolvency and guarantee enforcement matters in Scotland.

    Acted for Heineken UK Limited in its disposal of the McEwans and Youngers brands to Wells and Young’s Brewing Company Limited.

  • I & H Brown Limited
    I & H Brown Limited

    Won consent for the Calliachar Windfarm in Perth & Kinross on behalf of I & H Brown Limited. Both the Calliachar and Ray inquiries were conjoined, demonstrating our ability to address complex cumulative issues successfully.

  • IndigoVision Group plc

    As our sole legal advisers, we see the Shepherd and Wedderburn lawyers very much as part of our own team. They understand what we do and that is invaluable in enabling us to move quickly in developing and growing our business.

    Marcus Kneen, Chief Financial Officer
    IndigoVision Group plc

    Acted for IndigoVision in capital restructuring to facilitate maiden and subsequent dividends.

  • ITT Corporation
    ITT Corporation

    Acted for ITT Corporation on the acquisition of the Totton Pumps Group from Rubicon Partners Industries LLP.

    Acted for ITT Corporation in the $585 million acquisition of Godwin Pumps. 

  • MedImmune
    MedImmune

    Acted as primary advisor to MedImmune for all legal work relating to worldwide clinical trial activities outside of the Americas for this global leading biotechnology company specialising in antibody technology which is itself the subsidiary of one of the world’s largest innovative pharmaceutical companies.

  • Ministry of Defence
    Ministry of Defence

    Advised on PFI and other major projects for the MoD including the provision of Heavy Equipment Transporters (project value: £190 million). The innovative structure and approach to this project was recognised through its success at the Public Private Finance Awards and the MoD's Whole Fleet Management outsourcing project.

    Acting in relation to their award winning, £270 million PFI project for the provision of a Heavy Equipment Transporter service.

  • Numis Securities Limited
    Numis Securities Limited

    Acted for Numis Securities in connection with the IPO of MyCelx Technologies Corporation and placing raising £12.1 million.

    Acted for Numis Securities in connection with vendor placing by Alliance Pharma plc.

  • OLIM

    The lawyers are indefatigable, intuitive and invaluable.

    Matthew Oakeshott
    OLIM
  • Pilotlight

    “Pilotlight would like to thank Shepherd and Wedderburn for being a business partner and for nominating partners to participate on projects. The business insight, enthusiasm, commitment and skills of the partners involved is having a profound effect on the charities supported. Their involvement is helping ensure that  these organisations become more effective and thus are able to help many more people facing  disadvantage in our communities. “

    Graeme Powrie, Membership and Business Development Manager
  • ProStrakan Group plc

    In a tough business environment they have proved that they have the skills and the people to get things done in a pragmatic and commercial manner to suit the needs of their client, always with a smile on their faces they are a pleasure to deal with and I would not hesitate to recommend them.

    Andrew McLean
    ProStrakan Group plc - Recent work

    Acting (alongside Freshfields) in £292 million takeover of ProStrakan Group plc by Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Limited.

  • Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A)
    Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A)

    Advising on broadcasting and music licensing agreements and developing brand protection strategies for key brand components of the R&A and Open Golf events.

  • Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited
    Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited

    Acted in connection with acquisition and sales of range of development sites, industrial portfolios, retail premises and offices.

  • Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

    The team at Shepherd and Wedderburn has made an exceptional contribution to our retail growth in Scotland.  The people are a pleasure to work with and their legal and commercial advice is of the highest calibre.

    Katherine Kinch, Head of Property Law and Licensing, Legal Services
    Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd - Recent work

    We advise Sainsbury's Supermarkets Limited on planning and environmental matters related to its continuing expansion in Scotland. We have assisted with securing planning permission for a number of new stores including: Nairn (following a public inquiry into the first store promoted by the company in the Highlands); Irvine (where we negotiated a Section 75 Agreement, advised on planning conditions, made submissions to Scottish Ministers against the need for the application to be called in and advised on judicial review risk); and Hawick and Pitlochry (in both cases avoiding the planning decision being called in by Scottish Ministers following flooding objections by Scottish Environment Protection Agency).

  • Scarborough Group
    Scarborough Group

    Advised on the sale of a £220 million property portfolio consisting of 17 Jersey Property Unit Trusts and seven private companies.

  • Scottish Enterprise
    Scottish Enterprise

    We continue to work for Scottish Enterprise in relation to a $80 million Translational Medicine Research Collaboration with Wyeth.

    Advising on competition, procurement and state aid implications for a number of strategic projects including Edinburgh BioQuarter and various commercialisation projects.

  • ScottishPower
    ScottishPower

    Acting on behalf of ScottishPower in relation to a successful appeal to the Supreme Court in relation to whether the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988 gave rise to civil liability.

    Advised on the New Electricity Trading Arrangements and British-wide Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements.

    We have advised ScottishPower on various regulatory matters for a number of years including in relation to Competition Act investigations and price controls.

  • Seven Energy
    Seven Energy

    Acting for Seven Energy in connection with various matters including equity raising, financing facilities for its development and production activities in Nigeria, corporate restructuring, oil and gas sales agreements and acquisition and disposal of licence interests.

  • SMart Wind Limited
    SMart Wind Limited

    Following our work on their successful Round 3 offshore bid, we are advising in relation to the Hornsea zone, one of the UK’s biggest Round 3 offshore wind zones.  Our role is to support the development team in all work required for securing consents for development of projects in the zone. This involves all consenting advice in relation to the Planning Act and marine consenting regimes, all grid regulation advice on securing connection capacity from National Grid for 4GW of power, many of the survey and other contracts and charters needed to gather the evidence for the environmental statement and all land related consents and wayleaves.

  • Taylor Wimpey plc
    Taylor Wimpey plc

    Acting for Taylor Wimpey in relation to all of the Scottish aspects of their £500 million refinance including detailed commentary on the Finance Documents and dealing with the fixed charges over the Scottish properties.

    Acted in relation to numerous sites across Scotland, including the acquisition and ongoing development of Phase 1, Newton which forms part of the Cambuslang Community Growth Area consisting of more than 800 houses and including four land sales with a total value in excess of £25 million. We are also providing Taylor Wimpey with planning and property advice in relation to Phase 2 of the Newton site which will consist of a mixed use development covering 128 hectares, including 1,500 dwellinghouses.

    Advised Taylor Wimpey in the purchase of a development site at Lindsayfield, East Kilbride for £11.5 million including detailed negotiations regarding electricity lines crossing the site and the non-completion of the Seller's Works.

    Acted for Taylor Wimpey in relation to the property and construction aspects of the transfer of sites to affordable housing providers including at Slateford Road, Edinburgh; Prestonpans (in which there were three separate agreements); Dalkeith and Peebles, including the drafting of bespoke Development Agreements.

    We advised Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes on their long running Polofields project involving the promotion of a major housing development on a sensitive site in the Colinton area of Edinburgh. The project has been controversial from the outset and we successfully represented them at a Local Plan Inquiry and Appeal Hearing as well as challenging the adoption of the City of Edinburgh Local Plan in the Court of Session.

  • Trading Emissions plc
    Trading Emissions plc - Recent work

    Acted for Trading Emissions on its proposals to realise its portfolio over time and related changes to its management contract.

    Acted for Trading Emissions plc on its recommended takeover offer for Econergy International plc.

  • University of Edinburgh
    University of Edinburgh

    Advising on structuring of development options for a significant part of the University property estate.

  • Viridor

    We have used Shepherd and Wedderburn for a number of years for large projects, corporate and property work. They provide focused and commercially oriented advice on a par with the best City of London firms. Value for money is exceptional and client care paramount. I would not hesitate in recommending them.

    Simon Pugsley, Head of Legal
    Viridor - Recent work

    Acted on behalf of Viridor in two recent planning inquiries for waste proposals. We were recently successful in obtaining permission for a £200 million energy from waste facility at Dunbar and work on the Portobello waste transfer station is ongoing.

    We have advised Viridor on its appeals against refusal of planning permission for a waste transfer station at Portobello capable of handling up to 300,000 tonnes of waste per annum and its £200 million Energy from Waste Plant at Oxwellmains, Dunbar, the first to be consented following publication of the Zero Waste Plan.

    Working with Viridor on the South Lanarkshire Council and West Lothian Council procurements for Residual Waste Treatment Infrastructure, which are being procured following a competitive dialogue procedure. A number of other waste infrastructure procurement projects are now underway but at early stages, including City of Edinburgh/Midlothian. We continue to advise Perth and Kinross Council on their waste contract procurement programme.

  • Water Industry Commission for Scotland

    The Commission has used Shepherd and Wedderburn for some ten years and holds the firm in the highest regard. We have had - and continue to have - fantastic support and input on the regulatory side in particular. The firm's regulatory advice is top quality and exceptional and would not likely be bettered by any other firm in the UK.

    Alan Sutherland, Chief Executive
    Water Industry Commission for Scotland

     

    Co-ordinating and advising on stakeholder review of the retail market, its operation and potential reduction of regulatory barriers

  • Wolfson Microelectronics plc

    Shepherd and Wedderburn is our "go-to" law firm. The firm has an excellent reputation and the lawyers I deal with are both high quality and easy to get on with. Connectivity with people is a vital ingredient for us in choosing lawyers to work with and the firm very much delivers on that.

    Mark Cubitt, Finance Director
    Wolfson Microelectronics plc

    Advised on the acquisition by Wolfson Microelectronics plc of the entire issued share capital of Oligon Limited.

    Acted as Scottish lawyers for Wolfson Microelectronics plc in its £78.9 million Global Offering of ordinary shares giving Wolfson a market capitalisation £213.6 million at the offer price.