News
- ACH Shoosmiths completes Saltire Court move ACH Shoosmiths today (Monday 29 April) opened its new offices at the heart of Edinburgh's business and financial district.
- ACH Shoosmiths advises on £multi-million club scheme ACH Shoosmiths has advised on a multi-million pound golf and country club redevelopment scheme at Whitekirk Golf & Country Club that will transform it into one of the UK's leading golf destinations.
- ACH Shoosmiths at CIH Scotland Annual Conference & Exhibition 2013 ACH Shoosmiths' social housing team is exhibiting at the Chartered Institute of Housing Annual Conference & Exhibition, at Glasgow's SECC, from 12-14 March.
- ACH Shoosmiths takes Saltire Court space ACH Shoosmiths is to move to new offices at the heart of Edinburgh's business and financial district.
- ACH Shoosmiths recruits family law specialist ACH Shoosmiths has recruited a family law specialist to its private client team.
- Merry Christmas from ACH Shoosmiths Everyone here is starting to get into the festive spirit and we are channelling our Yuletide energies into supporting our national charities, which at the moment are Macmillan Cancer Support and the SSPCA
- ACH Shoosmiths opens for business on 1 October ACH Shoosmiths will be launched on Monday (1 October).
- AC&H advise on the 2012 Scottish Home Awards “Large Affordable Housing Development of the Year” Longstanding AC&H client, Dunedin Canmore Housing Association picked up the award for 'Large Affordable Housing Development of the Year' for Westfield Avenue, Edinburgh at the 2012 Scottish Home Awards on Thursday 28th June 2012. AC&H were Dunedin's sole legal advisor for the £24.5 million development situated in Westfield Avenue, Gorgie providing 193 new homes and eight business units.
- Archibald Campbell & Harley to merge with Shoosmiths Edinburgh law firm Archibald Campbell & Harley is to merge with Shoosmiths, a top 40 national law firm with eight offices throughout England. Their ninth office will be in Edinburgh, a move prompted by client demand for a UK-wide market presence.
- New associate for Archibald Campbell & Harley We are delighted to announce that Phil Hall has been promoted to Associate in the firm's litigation department from the 1st June 2012.
- Latest edition of the employment law briefing is now available The latest edition of the employment law briefing is now available.
- New Art Work at Archibald Campbell & Harley New pictures at Archibald Campbell & Harley by award winning artist Alasdair Banks - January 2012.
- AC&H launch Employment Law Briefing We are pleased to announce launch of our employment law briefing which aims to keep our clients as informed as possible of up coming legislative changes, recent case law decisions and other salient issues relating to the complex area of employment law. This follows the recent appointment of Karen Harvie who is head of our Employment Law team.
- Archibald Campbell & Harley litigation & dispute resolution solicitor in running for top legal award Read more »
- AC&H appointed to Kingdom Housing Association legal panel AC&H has been appointed to Kingdom Housing Association's new legal panel after a competitive tender process.
- New partner and promotions at Archibald Campbell & Harley Archibald Campbell & Harley is delighted to announce the appointment of Karen Harvie as a new partner. Karen, formerly of TC Young, has extensive experience in employment law and joins the firm on the 5th December 2011. She has an excellent reputation in the market place and will add significant strength and depth to our commercial team.
- Commercial Leases, 2nd Edition book co-written by Robin Mitchell, Head of Commercial Property Archibald Campbell & Harley's Head of Commercial Property, Robin Mitchell, and former Senior Partner, David Cockburn's new book, entitled, "Commercial Leases, Second Edition" has now been published by Bloomsbury Professional.
- The Future of Care Funding in Scotland We are living longer than previous generations did but, as a consequence of this, more and more of us will require some level of third party care in our later years. Residential accommodation certainly does not come cheap, therefore early and careful financial planning is essential to ensure that enough money is available to meet all care needs in the years to come. The main issue with this is that it is impossible to predict what level of care will be required by a person and for how long. There has also been a rise in the number of people being cared for in their own homes as an alternative to moving into permanent residential accommodation. Rather than receiving assistance with domestic tasks (in the form of the traditional "home help"), instead those being cared for at home are requiring more assistance with their own personal care needs than ever before. It is perhaps not surprising that individuals are choosing to stay at home for as long as they possibly can before moving into a care home and incurring the substantial costs involved.
- Laura Bloxham of Archibald Campbell & Harley wins Up and Coming Solicitor of the Year at Law Awards of Scotland 2011 Archibald Campbell & Harley is delighted to announce that Laura Bloxham was named Up and Coming Solicitor of the Year at the Law Awards of Scotland 2011. Laura, a key member of the firm's highly regarded Affordable Housing team, was shortlisted alongside five lawyers from leading national firms.Laura deals with a broad range of development and property transactions principally for the Affordable Housing Team. She is increasingly specialised in large-scale, complex development acquisitions and in particular over the past year Laura has been heavily involved in a landmark property transaction for a high-profile Housing Association using an entirely new structure for the provision of mid-rent housing. AC&H delivered the legal framework underpinning the new model and Laura was instrumental in the success of this project. The testimonials provided by two key parties in the transaction, Dunedin Canmore Housing Association and Rettie & Co, reflect her contribution to the project and her achievements so early in her career.
- Latest Private Client Newsletter Uploaded to website The latest Private Client newsletter has been uploaded to the website. Please click on the link below to access an electronic copy
- Archibald Campbell & Harley feature as finalists in three categories in the 2011 Law Awards for Scotland Archibald Campbell & Harley have secured nominations as Law Firm of the Year, and Private Client Team of the Year, whilst Laura Bloxham, Solicitor in the firm's Affordable Housing Team is nominated as Up and Coming Lawyer of the Year.
- ACH Property launch exciting new website The website which can be accessed by clicking on the "Properties for Sale" button" or directly through www.achproperty.com has a featured property on the home page with full search facilities of all properties for sale, enlarged images of individual rooms, a map, floor plans and the ability to request a viewing. It will also give sellers the opportunity to request a pre-sale valuation.
- A C & H Advises Dunedin Canmore in Acquisition of Affordable Housing using ResonanceTM Model In a significant pilot project delivering affordable housing using an innovative alternative funding structure, Archibald Campbell & Harley advised Dunedin Canmore Housing Association in the acquisition of a number of units in Milton Road East, Joppa from Springfield Properties plc. This transaction represents the first affordable housing financed, Regulator approved and acquired using the ResonanceTM Model, a pilot rental guarantee model developed by Rettie & Co in conjunction with Dunedin Canmore to stimulate house building and provide affordable housing without a requirement for capital subsidy. The Firm worked closely with all parties involved in the project from the outset, in particular Dunedin Canmore, Rettie & Co and the The City of Edinburgh Council and during that process drafted, assembled and ultimately delivered the legal structure and documentation underpinning the ResonanceTM Model. It is anticipated that this transaction (which provides much needed affordable housing for mid-rent) will be the first of many other projects to be rolled out on same model. Indeed the firm is already acting for the same clients on the acquisition of 18 further units on another prime site in the city. Janette Speed, Archibald Campbell & Harley, who acted on behalf of Dunedin Canmore and headed the team advising on this deal said "We are delighted to be involved in this high profile acquisition. Dunedin Canmore are a progressive and forward thinking organisation and as a result of working together with them and Rettie & Co, we were able to develop the detailed legal structure which allowed the successful application of the ResonanceTM model. We hope that the transaction will serve as a broad template for many future deals. It also illustrates our Affordable Housing Team's growing reputation for expertise, excellent client service and project delivery in this sector .We see this as another platform for further growth in this area of our practice." If you would like any further information about our Affordable Housing Services, please contact: Janette Speed, Partner, Affordable Housing Team, janette.speed@achws.co.uk, DDI: 0131 270 8129 Laura Bloxham, Solicitor, Affordable Housing Team, laura.bloxham@achws.co.uk, DDI: 0131 270 8014
- A Capital Display! Those of you visiting our office recently may have noticed an exciting new display of original artwork in our reception areas and meeting rooms!
- Archibald Campbell & Harley shortlisted for Private Client Team of the Year at the 2011 Scottish Legal Awards The Private Client Team (referred to within the firm and to our clients as the "Wealth Management Department") has grown considerably over the last 4 years and has gone go from strength to strength in challenging times. The department deals with Tax, Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney and Executries. Archibald Campbell & Harley were also nominated recently for the "Private Client Team of the Year" Award at the 2010 Law Awards of Scotland.
- ESPC shows a positive return to its roots Read more »
- Archibald Campbell & Harley climbs Social Housing rankings in Legal 500 2010 Archibald Campbell & Harley rises in the rankings for Social Housing in the Legal 500 directory. Janette Speed, Head of Social Housing team, said: "It is extremely gratifying to have our hard work, commitment and expanding expertise in this sector acknowledged. The firm's reputation in this area is growing and that is reflected in our rise in the rankings."
- The Royal British Legion Scotland recommends Archibald Campbell & Harley to its members The Royal British Legion Scotland have very recently entered into a new partnership with equityCare to help support their Welfare Pathway initiative. This service provides care advice and also access to legal advice to members of the legion in Scotland. equityCare is a specialist firm advising on care, primarily for older people, though also for people with serious care needs such as from car crashes or other injuries.
- Archibald Campbell & Harley Appointed Lawyers for Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Following a competitive tender process, Archibald Campbell & Harley has been appointed to the legal panel of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board in Scotland.
- Update on regulation of Will Writing Services Following our last Article on this subject in January the Scottish Government have now announced plans to change the law to regulate non-lawyer will writers. The proposed amendment to the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill, following the consultation process, would apply a set of regulatory rules, enforcement measures and sanctions to ensure non-lawyer will writers conform to acceptable industry practice.
- Archibald Campbell & Harley Appointed Lawyers for Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Following a competitive tender process, Archibald Campbell & Harley has been appointed to the legal panel of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board in Scotland.
- Archibald Campbell and Harley - Partner Resignation Archibald Campbell and Harley announce the resignation of Rory Milne from the partnership effective as of 31st January 2010. After more than 22 years with the firm in the commercial property team, Rory is leaving to commence practice on his own account. Archibald Campbell & Harley's managing partner Steve Dougherty comments: "AC&H and Rory envisage an ongoing business relationship and we wish him every success in his new venture. Meanwhile, the firm's commercial property team continues to have a very strong presence in the sector. The last few years have seen us developing significant new commercial property and general corporate business whilst continuing to advise our traditional portfolio of leading high street retailers and other commercial clients".
- Legal Update Highlight: Buying and Selling The latest version of the Standard Clauses designed to speed up the contract stage of all residential property transactions is now live and has been adopted for use by Archibald Campbell & Harley in virtually all residential transactions. Full details and an explanatory guide are available online by clicking on the links below.
- Archibald Campbell & Harley shortlisted for two awards at the 2010 Scottish Legal Awards Archibald Campbell & Harley have secured two nominations at the Scott + Co Legal Awards 2010 in the categories of Paralegal of the Year (Sarah Chambers, Affordable Housing Team) and Private Client Team of the Year.
- Proposals to Regulate Will Writing Services The Scottish Parliament is currently considering major changes to the provision of legal services in Scotland and during the course of this, various groups, including the Law Society of Scotland, have raised concerns about the lack of regulation of non-lawyers who charge for preparing Wills. The Legal Services (Scotland) Bill currently contains proposals to bring in regulation of non-lawyers who charge for getting Confirmation and administering estates of people who have died, and the Scottish Government have now issued a consultation paper to see if there is any merit in extending the Bill to cover will writers.
- Our new Wills brochure is now available for download Making provision for your death is not a task that anybody undertakes with much joy. However, if something was to happen to you, are you confident that your assets would be divided as you would wish? Scots Law can be complex when it comes to the division of a deceased person's estate and quite often the results of the application of the legislation can be very different to what you would assume to happen.
- AC&H advises purchaser in relation to the acquisition of Wemyss House In one of the highest profile property transactions of the year Edinburgh law firm Archibald Campbell & Harley has acted for an existing client of the firm in the purchase of Wemyss House in Charlotte Square.
- Important changes: Cross Border Inheritance The European Commission has just announced proposals to simplify inheritance rights between member states. It is estimated that 450,000 deaths in the EU each year involve an international element, with those estates valued at €120 billion.
- Latest Private Client newsletter The latest edition of the Private Client newsletter is now available to view online. To view a copy of the newsletter, please click below:
- Access To Funds – A Possible Alternative To Guardianship
- COMPANIES ACT 2006 On 1 October 2009, the final provisions of the Companies Act 2006 came into effect. The Act consists of 1,300 sections and 16 Schedules and the following is only intended as a summary of some provisions we think might be of immediate interest to private companies.
- Home Reports Are Here From 1 December 2008, all properties for sale in Scotland will have to be marketed with a Home Report. AC & H are well placed to advise buyers and sellers of residential property throughout Scotland on the effect of this radical change in law.
- Archibald Campbell & Harley Shortlisted For Three Awards At The Law Awards of Scotland 2008 Archibald Campbell & Harley have been shortlisted for three awards at The Law Awards of Scotland 2008 namely Managing Partner of the Year, Litigation Team of the Year and Paralegal of the Year (Sarah Chambers).
- Changes in licensing law seminar a roaring success Earlier this year, Archibald Campbell & Harley held their first hospitality seminar which focussed on the wholesale changes taking place in Scottish Licensing Law due to the coming into force of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. Held at The New Club, the seminar was attended by a number of key players within the hospitality sector.
- AC&H Hospitality Group - Licensing Update Seminar - 10th January 2008 The Hospitality Industry Group of Archibald Campbell & Harley are delighted to invite you to a FREE seminar on 10th January 2008.
- New Corporate Identity for Archibald Campbell & Harley Archibald Campbell & Harley, a commercially-focused and progressive law firm have gone through a major rebrand.As well as the practical aspects, the move is also a statement of intent - to emphasise that, despite its age, the firm is a modern, commercial practice."The re-brand shows that we are a modern firm retaining the core values which have always underpinned the way we go about our business," says Managing Partner Rod Macphail. "Re-branding was a strategic rather than a cosmetic decision designed to drive the business on by projecting the firm as open, forward moving and assertive in a competitive business market." Presently 13 partners strong, and with over 100 staff in total, the firm has extensive expertise in commercial property, corporate, debt recovery, litigation, planning and social housing. Archibald Campbell & Harley also has one of Scotland's best known private client departments and has substantial charity law expertise too. Glasgow-based designers, Ministry carried out the re-brand. Bryn Beveridge, Director said "AC&H came to us with a challenge. They had outgrown their existing identity and needed a brand that supported their modern and focused approach to law and highlighted their growing position in Scotland. Together we have created a flexible identity system that unites the elements of AC&H with a clear voice."Earlier this year, AC&H made a major strategic decision to expand the firm's Glasgow presence, by taking on a prestigious suite of offices at 1 Park Terrace, Glasgow to improve the service offered to their client base in the west of Scotland.
- Archibald Campbell & Harley launch Hospitality group Due to growing demand, AC&H are delighted to announce their first cross-department industry focus group, specifically designed to offer clients and contacts in the hospitality and leisure industries a "one-stop shop" for all their legal needs.
- Leading Lawyer heads Commercial Property Team Robin Mitchell has been appointed as the head of Archibald Campbell & Harley's commercial property department, a move the firm says will allow it to streamline its service to this sector.Robin, who joined AC&H in 1996 and has been a partner in the commercial property department for the last 5 years, is an experienced property lawyer with particular expertise in high quality landlord and tenant work. He acts for some of Britain's leading retailers and also advises on the acquisition and disposal of investment property and development sites. Commenting on his recent appointment, Robin said: "Chambers Directory correctly identifies our commercial property department as a "great practice with huge potential". AC&H already have an excellent reputation in this field and I'm looking forward to building on this to reinforce our position as a major force in Scottish property work. The last few years have seen the firm attracting significant new business. My role is to ensure that we continue to do so whilst also providing the quality of service that is rightly expected by our existing clients"
- Archibald Campbell & Harley shortlisted for Law Firm of The Year Archibald Campbell & Harley are celebrating after becoming one of three law firms to be shortlisted for the accolade of "Law Firm of the Year Award (under 50 fee earners)".
- Archibald Campbell & Harley expands Archibald Campbell & Harley have made a major strategic decision to expand the firm's Glasgow presence, by taking on a prestigious suite of offices at 1 Park Terrace, Glasgow to better serve their client base in the west of Scotland.
- Christmas Charity Instead of sending Christmas cards this year, the firm will be making a large donation to When You Wish Upon a Star's Lapland Appeal, sending children with life-threatening illnesses to Lapland to meet Santa Claus.
- New Appointments Archibald Campbell & Harley wish to congratulate their second year trainees, Lesley Gray and Alison McIntyre, who will complete their traineeships on 5th September 2006 and become fully qualified solicitors. Both have accepted positions within the firm; Lesley will be an assistant in the Litigation department and Alison will be an assistant in the Residential Conveyancing Team within the Private Client Department.
- Archibald Campbell & Harley complete hotel portfolio deal Archibald Campbell & Harley acted on behalf of off-shore clients in the purchase and immediate onward sale of the Beancross Bar & Hotel, Falkirk and Buchanan Arms Hotel, Drymen, Stirlingshire and the purchase of Stonefield Castle Hotel, Tarbert, Argyle for a global price in excess of £11.5m. Following completion of the purchase of Stonefield Castle Hotel and the onward sale of Buchanan Arms Hotel and the Beancross Bar & Hotel, all three properties were then subsequently leased to a national hotel chain.
- Archibald Campbell & Harley complete “Homestake” portfolios Archibald Campbell and Harley recently completed the acquisition of 2 Homestake portfolios for DunedinCanmore Housing Association.
- Archibald Campbell & Harley advises in the sale of Edinburgh Retail Park Archibald Campbell & Harley acted for the Dixons Group in the sale to Morley Pooled Pensions Limited of Corstorphine Retail Park, Edinburgh and the lease-back of the anchor unit in the development to PC World.