Terra Firma Chambers has been recognised in the latest edition of Chambers & Partners UK Directory as one of the leading stables at the Scottish Bar, commended for the strength and experience of its members and the quality of the clerking.
Terra Firma remains the only stable at the Scottish Bar to be recognised for Planning, receiving a Band 1 ranking for the eighth year running: ‘Terra Firma remains very much the principal stable in Scotland for planning and environmental law. It has a bench of highly distinguished silks and juniors who act in many high-profile cases and regularly appear in judicial reviews and statutory appeals. Its advocates represent a wide range of clients, handling cases relating to retail and housing developments, as well as infrastructure projects. They are also strong in the energy sector, proving particularly effective at matters relating to renewables.’
The stable was again ranked Band 1 for Agriculture & Rural Affairs and Tax: ‘Terra Firma Chambers is renowned for its strong agricultural and rural affairs practice. The stable is led by a number of Scotland's foremost advocates with a plethora of experience in representing clients before the Scottish Land Court, the Court of Session and Sheriff Courts in a wide range of matters.’
Terra Firma Chambers is ‘highly regarded for personal and business taxation matters, especially cases concerning stamp duties, PAYE, indirect tax and the variation of trusts. Also rated highly for advice on international tax matters concerning European law, double taxation and residence and domicile.’
TFC members received 23 individual rankings for their expertise in Administrative & Public Law, Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Civil Liberties & Human Rights, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Company, Construction, Employment, Immigration, Pensions, Planning & Environmental, Real Estate Litigation, Restructuring & Insolvency and Tax. This includes an additional 6 rankings for Alasdair Burnet (Administrative & Public Law ), Fergus Thomson (Company), Roy Martin QC (Pensions), Alasdair Sutherland (Planning & Environment), Alan Summers QC and Michael Howlin QC (Restructuring & Insolvency).
In addition, three members received a further 7 individual rankings for their work at the English Bar and Steven Walker QC is ranked Band 1 for Arbitration in Singapore.
The clerking staff again received special mention: "Terra Firma stands out as having the best clerking in Scotland. They are the quickest to get back to you, and are most helpful and approachable"; "Emma Potter, the clerk at Terra Firma, is fantastically helpful" and "The administrative side of things ticks along like clockwork; everything is run exactly the way it should be."
Emma Potter, Practice Manager of Terra Firma Chambers, said: "The feedback from Chambers UK servers to highlight our overreaching aim of combining the strength and depth of our members’ expertise with approachable clerking in order to provide a commercial and client-orientated service, from start to finish. I am delighted at the recognition of our advocates experience across the rankings and for such unequivocal praise for the quality of the clerking service.”
