Ranking tables
Planning | UK
Scotland
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
- Brodies LLP 19 Years Ranked
- CMS 19 Years Ranked
- Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP
Band 3
- Addleshaw Goddard LLP 5 Years Ranked
- Burness Paull 23 Years Ranked
- Harper Macleod LLP 2 Years Ranked
- Pinsent Masons 21 Years Ranked
- Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP 9 Years Ranked
- Anderson Strathern
- Gillespie Macandrew LLP
Band 1
- Elaine Farquharson-Black Brodies LLP22 Years Ranked
- Neil Collar Brodies LLP27 Years Ranked
- Colin InnesShepherd and Wedderburn LLP
- Craig WheltonShepherd and Wedderburn LLP
- Ewan MacleodShepherd and Wedderburn LLP
Band 2
- Alasdair Sutherland Burness Paull6 Years Ranked
- Douglas Milne Morton Fraser MacRoberts8 Years Ranked
- Fraser Gillies Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP10 Years Ranked
- Karen Hamilton Brodies LLP15 Years Ranked
- Kenneth Carruthers Morton Fraser MacRoberts18 Years Ranked
- Mark McMurray CMS9 Years Ranked
- Robin Hutchison CMS6 Years Ranked
- Sarah Baillie Addleshaw Goddard LLP16 Years Ranked
- Alastair McKieAnderson Strathern
- Fraser MitchellShepherd and Wedderburn LLP
- Sandy TelferGillespie Macandrew LLP
Band 3
- Emma Dewar Burness Paull6 Years Ranked
- Fiona Gordon Addleshaw Goddard LLP2 Years Ranked
- Gary McGovern Pinsent Masons LLP1 Years Ranked
- Jacqueline Cook Davidson Chalmers Stewart3 Years Ranked
- Nicola Martin Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP1 Years Ranked
- Peter Ferguson Harper Macleod LLP7 Years Ranked
- Rory Alexander Morton Fraser MacRoberts5 Years Ranked
- Chris DevlinAnderson Strathern
- Colin HamiltonGillespie Macandrew LLP
Up and Coming
Associates to watch
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Brodies LLPPlanning2025 | Band 1 | 19 Years RankedBrodies has a first-rate planning team that regularly acts for public sector clients, such as local authorities, as well as substantial private sector clients. The team frequently handles infrastructure planning and compulsory purchase matters, and is noted for its work on planning inquiries. The lawyers are also highly experienced in renewable energy and residential property matters such as onshore wind and affordable housing. The team provides additional expertise in the planning aspects of retail and leisure schemes.1 CMSPlanning2025 | Band 1 | 19 Years RankedCMS offers a wide range of expertise in both contentious and non-contentious planning matters. The team regularly acts for public and private sector clients on major renewable energy, retail and housing developments, as well as offering significant strength in mining, minerals, and transport schemes. The team is also noted for its work on student accommodation and hotels, managing major portfolios and development proposals.
Band 2
2 Burges Salmon LLPPlanning2025 | Band 2 | 5 Years RankedBurges Salmon's dynamic practice advises on the full spread of planning issues. The team regularly advises on matters such as planning applications, compulsory purchases and judicial reviews for large-scale residential development schemes. It also provides additional expertise in the renewable energy sector.2 Morton Fraser MacRobertsPlanning2025 | Band 2 | 22 Years RankedMorton Fraser MacRoberts acts on contentious planning matters and has extensive experience of handling cases in the Court of Session, as well as higher courts. The team regularly advises on energy developments and compulsory purchase matters. Its lawyers are noted for their work for public sector clients, including the Scottish and UK governments, with additional strength in road infrastructure. They also advise private sector clients on residential and retail development.
Band 3
3 Addleshaw Goddard LLPPlanning2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years RankedAddleshaw Goddard has a highly experienced team that frequently advises clients on planning issues across the infrastructure, housing and retail sectors. It offers expertise in both contentious and non-contentious matters, including public hearings and inquiries, promoting development consent orders and providing strategic planning advice.3 Burness PaullPlanning2025 | Band 3 | 23 Years RankedBurness Paull has an impressive track record of advising house builders on development matters. Its clients often come from the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. The team has long-standing experience in a range of planning matters such as compulsory purchase orders and Section 75 obligations, and is also noted for its contentious capability, in particular judicial reviews and statutory appeals.3 Harper Macleod LLPPlanning2025 | Band 3 | 2 Years RankedHarper Macleod is recognised for its experience when it comes to handling the planning aspects of renewable energy projects. Its broad expertise covers Section 36 consent applications and compulsory purchase, with notable experience representing clients in hearings, public inquiries and judicial reviews. Its client roster includes public bodies, local authorities and energy companies.3 Pinsent MasonsPlanning2025 | Band 3 | 21 Years RankedPinsent Masons is noted for its high-profile energy work and extensive experience of onshore wind. The team also advises on major infrastructure projects such as highways and harbour developments. It is regularly instructed to handle compulsory purchase matters as well as retail and residential developments, with clients often ranging from housebuilders to aggregates companies. Pinsent Masons also handles high-profile inquiries and appeals relating to wind farms, flood risk and other ecological concerns.3 Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLPPlanning2025 | Band 3 | 9 Years RankedWright, Johnston & Mackenzie is recommended for its expertise in the planning aspects of energy projects, particularly in relation to onshore and offshore wind, and other renewable energy schemes. The team is also highly adept at handling the appeals process.