Our Structure
Semple Fraser provides a full range of commercial legal services through six professional practice groups. These are:
Commercial Property
Six commercial property teams are involved on a UK-wide basis in all types of property development and investment, including landlord and tenant work, portfolio etc. The property teams work closely with other areas of the practice to provide an integrated package of specialist advice, including tax and planning.
“The one firm in Scotland that has been successful in going from being a niche property practice to something else entirely…a hugely successful outfit”.
Chambers, 2007
Corporate
Two corporate teams are involved in a range of corporate and commercial transactions including acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures and investments. These teams have become increasingly involved in PFI-related work. Mergers and acquisitions, insolvency, taxation and intellectual property are particular areas of expertise.
Construction
Two construction teams have wide experience in contentious and non-contentious work. The firm regularly advises on adjudication and litigation as well as alternative dispute resolution methods. The teams provide advice to contractors, developers, sub-contractors, financial institutions and professionals on all aspects of construction work, including guarantees, bonds, collateral warranties, appointed agreements, building contracts, and procurement.
“Semple Fraser is well equipped to handle a variety of issues from numerous angles. It services developers, main and subcontractors, professional consultants and financial institution funder clients throughout the construction process. Close collaboration with the firm’s commercial property department on non-contentious shopping centre and retail investment acquisition work is a specialism, attracting an impressive portfolio of blue-chip clients such as Tesco”.
Chambers, 2007
Commercial Litigation
The Litigation team has in-depth experience of handling a wide range of commercial litigation work, with particular emphasis on property litigation, insolvency and employment law. The team provides advocacy services at tribunals, planning enquiries and other types of hearing.
Environment and Pollution
The Environment and Pollution team has considerable expertise in all areas of environment and pollution law, including integrated pollution prevention and control, hazardous substance control, contaminated land, water pollution, waste and environmental liability insurance. The team has in-depth knowledge and experience of EU and UK law and advise across all jurisdictions. We are the only Scottish law firm to be appointed to the panel of environmental law specialists retained by the European Commission.
“Strong right down to the trainees”, this firm has a large and respected environmental practice. In contrast to many competitors, the lion’s share of work undertaken here relates to matters outside Scotland”.
Chambers, 2007
Banking and Finance
The firm’s banking expertise has, until recently, comprised three partners and a number of assistants dealing as part of their wider corporate remit, with all aspects of financing, acting for both lenders and borrowers. Clients include all the major high street banks. The work undertaken by this team includes project finance/PFI, asset finance, property finance, debt and equity funding, insolvency and restructuring. The firm has recently decided to increase its focus on the banking market and a new, separate banking and finance team has been formed to lead this development.
“From a customer’s perspective, they work seamlessly”, said clients of this banking group.
Chambers, 2007
