Department profile
Burness Paull

Corporate/M&A

UK Guide 2026 : Scotland

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Burness Paull

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Scotland

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Burness Paull has a pre-eminent corporate presence across Scotland, acting for national and international clients on a wide range of corporate and private equity transactional matters, with a notable sector specialism in technology and financial services. The firm is experienced in acting on deals involving companies of all sizes, from large plcs to owner-managed businesses. The team is often involved in complex transactions with multi-jurisdictional elements, such as significant equity capital markets work.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Burness Paul acted for I3 Energy during its £174 million acquisition by Gran Tierra Energy.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They're always pragmatic without point-scoring. They fight the things that matter and don't waste our time with the stuff that doesn't.

    Corporate/M&A respondentUK

  • They were highly committed, competent and experienced and ran the M&A process as a well-structured project. They met key deadlines and ensured we concluded on the target date.

    Corporate/M&A respondentUK

  • They are a great team - responsive and technically good. A real asset for us.

    Corporate/M&A respondentUK

  • Burness Paull is a really nice firm to work with. The lawyers work at pace, they are really hungry for the work and they are just lovely people to work with.

    Corporate/M&A respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Mark Ellis
    Mark Ellis

    Mark Ellis

    Mark Ellis is managing partner at Burness Paull. He is recognised for his experience across a range of corporate matters, handling significant M&A transactions and private equity work.

    • Mark Ellis is a fantastic solicitor.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK

    • Mark is great to work with and highly proactive.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK
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  • Peter Lawson
    Peter Lawson

    Peter Lawson

    Chair of the firm Peter Lawson is known for his longstanding M&A practice. He has a wealth of experience advising both public and private companies on corporate transactions.

    • Peter is top of my list. His knowledge and specialism - that is all a given. He is fantastic - so responsive, so kind and open and considerate. From a client perspective, you can't ask for any more.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK
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  • Christopher Gotts
    Christopher Gotts

    Christopher Gotts

    Christopher Gotts is a partner and co-head of the Burness Paull energy team. He is known for handling domestic and cross-border acquisitions and equity fundraisings on behalf of both public and private companies.

    • Christopher is very client-focused, adding value through market knowledge.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK

    • Christopher has deep knowledge and is innately pragmatic. He is one of the best M&A lawyers we deal with. Great ability to lead transactions.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK
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  • David Davidson
    David Davidson

    David Davidson

    David Davidson is a well-regarded and experienced corporate partner. He acts for clients on a broad range of commercial mandates including M&A transactions and investments.

    • David is excellent.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK
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  • Grant Stevenson
    Grant Stevenson

    Grant Stevenson

    Grant Stevenson handles acquisitions, sales and restructuring matters. He leads the firm's media practice and stands out for his work on deals in that sector.

    • Grant is an excellent and client-focused lawyer.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK
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  • Paul Scullion
    Paul Scullion

    Paul Scullion

    Paul Scullion is head of Burness Paull's corporate finance team. He shows aptitude for advising on domestic and cross-border matters relating to venture capital, as well as M&A and fund-raising transactions.

    • He's very good - very sensible and very pragmatic.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK

    • Paul is a good operator: he's very confident and he delivers very promptly. He's a brilliant overarching manager of the corporate team.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK

    • He has a lot of respect in the sector and he's known for being a collaborative and pragmatic lawyer.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK
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  • Robert Burns
    Robert Burns

    Robert Burns

    Robert Burns handles sales and acquisitions as part of his wide corporate practice. He advises entrepreneurs as well as owner-managed and family-run businesses.

    • Robert is a key asset to our business.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK

    • Robert is an excellent leader.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK

    • Robert is a corporate finance specialist who handles asset and share acquisitions.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK
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  • Catriona Macallan
    Catriona Macallan

    Catriona Macallan

    Catriona Macallan advises on M&A and private equity transactions. She also heads up the firm's China desk.

    • Catriona is great to work with and highly proactive.

      Corporate/M&A respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Burness Paull (8)

Scotland

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