Law and legal affairs in brief

Published on Sunday 23 January 2011 18:45

SMYLIE FACE

Maclay Murray & Spens has named Chris Smylie, pictured, head of the firm's real estate division, as its chief executive. He will take over on 1 June from Magnus Swanson, who has been in the post for eight years. Swanson will return to the MMS corporate department as a partner. Robert Laing, chairman of MMS, said: "We are grateful to Magnus for his leadership, strategic vision and commitment." Smylie added: "MMS is in great shape. It is a firm blessed with truly exceptional people."

CONSUMER COURTS

An expert group commissioned by Consumer Focus Scotland says civil justice reform should create a system designed around the people who use it. The group, chaired by Lord Coulsfield, calls for a radical rethink in light of the Gill review, published in September 2009. The Scottish Government plans to implement Gill's proposals, including a shake-up of the civil court structure and a new lower tier of judges in the sheriff court. The expert group report calls for more clarity, simplicity and accessibility, with a greater role for mediation.

HOT ROD

Ledingham Chalmers LLP has promoted corporate specialist Rod Hutchison, 41, to partner. He has been at the firm's Aberdeen office for eight years, and tutored on company & commercial law at Aberdeen University.

NEW FOR OLD

Elizabeth Calderwood, a partner at Pagan Osborne, has joined Solicitors for the Elderly, the association which specialises in legal services for older people and their carers – including tax planning, wills, powers of attorney and other retirement issues.

BRIBERY BRIEFING

Tods Murray hosts a briefing on what businesses should do to defend themselves against potential charges of bribery on Monday 31 January – led by its bribery act team, and Peter Gray QC, of Compass Chambers. The act, to come into force in April, means any organisation in breach of its regulations faces unlimited fines and the potential exclusion from all public contracts in Europe. Individuals will face up to ten years in prison and being struck off as directors. More details at www.todsmurray.com

BY GEORGE

Morton Fraser partner George Clark is the new chair of the Private Rented Housing Panel for Scotland. (PRHP). The post involves chairing hearings to determine rents and questions of whether rented properties meet the repairing standard, which landlords must observe. Clark has served as ESPC chairman and is a director of the Scottish Building Society. PRHP was set up in 2007, replacing the Rent Assessment Panel.

LANDED GENTLEMAN

Thorntons has appointed Chris Lindley as partner in its land and rural business team. Based in Perth, he has been with Thorntons for seven years and is a member of the firm's in-house band, The Full Tin Tin, which plays charity gigs across Scotland.

MAKE A MARK

McGrigors has hired Mark Waegner as a partner in its UK-wide energy team. He is a corporate practitioner with more than ten years' experience at Linklaters. He has a strong focus on energy and infrastructure, and recent deals include working with Centrica on its acquisition of a 20 per cent stake in British Energy.

QUALIFICATION QUERIES?

Changes to the way people qualify as a solicitor in Scotland are the focus of free Law Society of Scotland events starting this week. Students, academics, training firms and paralegals can ask questions and learn how the changes will affect them. The roadshows are planned for: 27 January – University of Edinburgh; 3 February – Drumrossie Hotel, Inverness; 10 February – Thistle Hotel, Glasgow; 17 February – Apex Hotel, Dundee; 22 February – Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries; 3 March – Park Inn, Aberdeen. See www.lawscot.org.uk

BUNDLES OF ENERGY

The renewables team at Anderson Strathern (AS) led the completion of the Hydrogen Office project to deliver a demonstration centre and research facility as part of the Scottish Government's renewable energy programme. It promotes the potential to store surplus renewable energy using hydrogen fuel cell technology. AS advised on funding, property and construction contracts. The project was mainly funded by Scottish Enterprise, whose legal team has been supported in the project since 2007 by the renewables team at Maclay Murray & Spens.

HIGH FLYERS

Irwin Mitchell Solicitors has been awarded a quality kitemark in recognition of its expertise and professionalism in personal injury law. The Glasgow firm was commended in a national accreditation run by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. The scheme assesses experience, expertise and dedication to client care.

n AUSTIN'S POWERS In our interview with Austin Lafferty two weeks ago, we forgot to lay down a challenge. Austin wonders if he is the first vice-president of the Law Society to have a black belt in karate …