Banking & Finance
UK Guide 2025 : Scotland
Band 4
About
Provided by Shoosmiths LLP
Our specialist banking & finance team advises clients on a range of financing transactions across industries including healthcare, energy, telecoms and retail, often with a multi-jurisdictional element.
Acting for borrowers, lenders and investors means we have a practical understanding of the needs of all parties to a financing transaction.
Our national banking and finance team operate across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland providing a seamless service across our various locations. We work closely with the UK’s major banks and financial institutions and have approved panel solicitor status with many of them.
Managing transactions from start to finish, we ensure a smooth and cohesive process, enabling clients to continue to focus on building their relationships and running their businesses.
Our team will take responsibility for making the deal happen, speaking your language and putting your commercial interests first – one of the reasons clients describe our team as “commercial and results driven”.
What sets us apart from others is our ability to truly listen to our clients and use their feedback to continually improve. Because of this, we have been recognised in national award programmes for innovation and client service excellence.
Chambers Review
Shoosmiths holds a strong team with experience in handling development and real estate finance. The firm also provides expertise in advising on acquisition finance and refinancings. With a strong offering on security agreements, the team acts for both lenders and borrowers, including on cross-border transactions.
Work Highlights
- Shoosmiths advised Ulster Bank on the Scottish and security aspects of financing issued for the acquisition of a shopping centre in Northern Ireland.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"In a complex transaction, they chased in the background and provided updates at relevant points."
"The team at Shoosmiths are very helpful, informative on complex matters and extremely proactive."
"Shoosmiths is impressive and quick in responding to queries, prompt and comprehensive."
"Shoosmiths has an experienced attitude towards deals and a great breadth of experience within the team."
"In a complex transaction, they chased in the background and provided updates at relevant points."
"The team at Shoosmiths are very helpful, informative on complex matters and extremely proactive."
"Shoosmiths is impressive and quick in responding to queries, prompt and comprehensive."
"Shoosmiths has an experienced attitude towards deals and a great breadth of experience within the team."
Notable Practitioners
Fiona Cameron assists borrowers and lenders in a range of matters including financing of real estate and hospitality projects as well as acquisition funding, asset based lending and Islamic financing.
"Fiona Cameron is open to conversations about the legal risks and strategy of transactions before formal instructions are issued and is always there to provide helpful opinions as a deal progresses."
"Fiona is commercially aware on complex transactions."
Sheelagh Cooley leads Shoosmiths' real estate finance team in Edinburgh and is regarded as an expert in this area, frequently acting for both borrowers and lenders.
"Sheelagh Coley is clear in her interaction with clients, regular and consistent, and always is available for both difficult and routine questions."
"Sheelagh makes it feel like you get personalised, practical, commercial advice rather than a legal position quoted back to you."
Ranked Lawyers at
Shoosmiths LLP
Scotland
Clients
Provided by Shoosmiths LLP
Cumberland Building Society
Leeds Building Society
Nationwide Building Society
Royal Bank of Scotland / Natwest Group
Santander UK plc