The Legal 500 is the world’s leading legal directory with rankings based on a combination of firm and team performance, and feedback from clients.

As a result of its in-depth expertise and work with RSLs, public sector bodies, charities, local authorities and private developers, Harper Macleod’s social housing team has been ranked in the Top Tier for the sector for the 8th consecutive year.

Included in the ranking was a range of testimonials from clients, such as:

• “The team has an excellent reputation for delivering a high level of service and for the in-depth knowledge and experience they have of the Scottish housing sector and environment, regulation and governance, funding and finance.”
• “The team is very personable, down to earth and approachable.”
• “They are efficient, cost effective and have a very practical approach to loan and conveyancing processing, which is invaluable to us.”

The team is led by partner and head of housing, Derek Hogg, alongside fellow partners Collette Miller and James McMorrow. Derek and James are ranked as “Leading Individuals” in their fields, with Collette Miller ranked as a “Next Generation Partner”. Euan Pirie, Harper Macleod’s head of infrastructure and projects, and David McIndoe, head of residential property and shared equity, are also noted as key lawyers.

Derek Hogg said: “We are incredibly proud of the work we do with Scotland’s housing sector, which covers a wide range of matters, including property, contracts, governance and funding.

“Whether you are a developer, funder, housing provider or within the regulatory and governance sphere, the sector is actively facing up to significant challenges. We are very proud to be working in partnership with the sector, as it tackles those challenges head on.

“We thank our clients and colleagues for another successful ranking.”

Harper Macleod advises more than 80 RSLs ranging from the largest in the country to smaller community-based organisations. Collectively these organisations own or manage more than 75% of the entire RSL housing stock in Scotland, and cover all areas of the country from Shetland and the Western Isles to Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.

As part of the same rankings, Harper Macleod was recognised as one of Scotland’s leading firms working within the charity and not-for-profit sector. There is significant crossover between the firm’s social housing and charity activities, both involving partners Derek Hogg and James McMorrow, complemented by Jennifer Jack and Kelly Fraser.