Department profile
CMS

Employment

UK Guide 2026 : Scotland

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CMS

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About

Provided by CMS

Please visit the CMS website for more details about the practice and our work:

Law firm specialised in Employment & Pensions - CMS in the UK

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment - Scotland

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

CMS offers advice across a wide range of employment issues, with the firm particularly recognised for its work with large financial services clients. It also advises clients in the energy and industrial engineering sectors. Its international network allows the team to handle complex cross-border employment issues. CMS advises clients on employment litigation, regularly handling disputes in tribunals and in the higher courts, with particular activity on claims regarding whistle-blowing, discrimination and pay.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • CMS advised Rothesay Life on the TUPE aspects of its acquisition of a circa £6 billion Scottish Widows bulk annuity portfolio from Lloyds Banking Group.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The CMS team are highly analytical and think strategically and practically in the handling of a matter.

    Employment respondentUK

  • They are highly responsive and bring a clear-eyed, strategic view to even the most complex matters. What sets them apart is their instinctive understanding of the broader business context.

    Employment respondentUK

  • CMS care for our business, which ensures great service level and responsiveness.

    Employment respondentUK

  • CMS are very strong on handling complex issues.

    Employment respondentUK

  • CMS offer pragmatic advice, sharpened by knowledge of typical industry practice and an understanding of our business needs.

    Employment respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Alison Woods
    Alison Woods

    Alison Woods

    Alison Woods is co-head of CMS's UK employment team. She advises clients across a range of sectors including technology and media, while offering particular strength handling matters pertaining to the oil and gas industry. Woods acts on the employment aspects of transactions, such as the application of TUPE, with further experience of senior executive departures.

    • Alison is clearly an expert in all matters of employment law, but combines this knowledge with outstanding interpersonal skills.

      Employment respondentUK
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  • Finlay McKay
    Finlay McKay

    Finlay McKay

    Finlay McKay acts for clients across a range of matters from the employment aspects of commercial transactions to claims alleging bullying, harassment and unfair dismissal. McKay also advises on senior executive departures including issues surrounding exit bonuses and restrictive covenants.

    • Finlay is an excellent, solution-focused partner.

      Employment respondentUK
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  • Gillian MacLellan
    Gillian MacLellan

    Gillian MacLellan

    Gillian MacLellan represents clients in sensitive claims before the Employment Tribunal relating to discrimination, unfair dismissal and whistle-blowing. She also advises on redundancy measures and employee transfers.

    • Gillian is extremely organised, responsive and leads a very capable team of lawyers, allowing her to provide a first-class service at all times.

      Employment respondentUK

    • Gillian always provides an outstanding level of service. She is quick to pick up matters and provide practical solutions that fit our business.

      Employment respondentUK

    • Gillian doesn't confine herself to the employment law advice; she gets the bigger picture and what is relevant for wider stakeholders.

      Employment respondentUK
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  • Catriona Aldridge
    Catriona Aldridge

    Catriona Aldridge

    Catriona Aldridge is a partner who works on both contentious and non-contentious matters in sectors including financial services, hotels and leisure, and construction.

    • Catriona is an excellent, commercial adviser who is willing to be flexible and adapt to our styles and ways of working.

      Employment respondentUK
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  • Eric Gilligan
    Eric Gilligan

    Eric Gilligan

    Eric Gilligan advises on issues surrounding senior executive departures such as exit bonuses and restrictive covenants. He also assists with contentious employment matters concerning whistle-blowing and discrimination claims.

    • Eric is a very strong technical lawyer.

      Employment respondentUK

    • Eric regularly provides first-class, pragmatic advice on a range of issues.

      Employment respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at CMS (5)

Scotland

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