The stable has retained Band 1 rankings across core practice areas: Agriculture & Rural Affairs; Planning and Environmental Law; Licensing; Private Client; and Tax; plus Band 2 rankings for Employment and Real Estate Litigation. In addition, TFC members received 29 individual rankings, including 14 Band 1 rankings.

There is a new band 1 ranking for Real Estate Litigation for Alasdair Burnet KC who is described as “well respected in this field” highlighting his “strong knowledge with regards to roads law.” In addition, Alasdair received further individual Band 1 rankings for Planning & Environment, Product Liability and Real Estate Litigation, plus a Band 2 ranking for Administrative & Public Law.

Kenneth Young received a new ‘Up and Coming’ ranking for Real Estate Litigation: “Kenneth Young is very contactable, eloquent and competent on his feet.”

Fergus Colquhoun received a new Band 2 ranking in Private Client. Described as “very knowledgeable and professional. He has good rapport with judiciaries, has excellent court manner and is prepared thoroughly for court hearings”. “Fergus is very good at taking instructions at short notice if need be, and his written work is exceptional.” Terra Firma remains the only stable at the Scottish bar ranked in this area, receiving a 5th consecutive Band 1 ranking. The ‘technically excellent’ Roddy MacLeod is hailed as “the best in his field with an impeccable knowledge in the area of contentious executries” and “our go-to for contentious executry and trust work”; while Gordon Watt is described as “go-to counsel in private client and inheritance disputes, and he also has a sound knowledge of tax issues”.

Terra Firma secured a 12th successive Band 1 ranking for Planning and Environment with five individual Band 1 rankings for Douglas Armstrong KC, Alasdair Burnet KC, James Findlay KC, Graham Dunlop and Maurice O’Carroll. Sources described the stable as “one of the go-to stables in relation to environmental and judicial review work”. “Terra Firma Chambers are organised, convivial and provide practical lawful advice to the clients”.

In addition to being the only stable ranked for Private Client, Terra Firma remains the only stable at the Scottish bar recognised for its collective expertise in Agriculture & Rural Affairs and Licensing.

The stable achieved an 11th consecutive Band 1 ranking for Agriculture & Rural Affairs with Robert Sutherland retaining his own Band 1 ranking: Robert is our go-to advocate for rural and agricultural work, including crofting. He is excellent.”

The Band 1 ranking for Licensing highlights TFC’s “market-leading expertise in a wide range of licensing cases” with James Findlay KC and Scott Blair the only individual Advocates ranked in this practice area. James is described as “a delight to work with… He is user-friendly and cooperative” while “Scott Blair’s expertise is really second to none.” “He’s approachable, well versed and knows licensing inside-out.”

Terra Firma’s Band 1 ranking for Tax highlights the stable’s “experience in a niche area where few other chambers can say the same”. Philip Simpson KC is described as ‘one of the leaders at the Scottish Tax Bar’ while Derek Francis and Gordon Watt are ranked for their expertise amongst the junior ranks: “Gordon keeps things succinct and focused”, he is “excellent in terms of all advice in relation to tax. He is very pragmatic and my go-to for a tax opinion on most things.”

In addition to Band 1 rankings for Licensing and Planning & Environment, “the preeminent environmental lawyer in Scotland” James Findlay KC also received Band 2 rankings for Administrative and Public Law and Real Estate Litigation, plus a further two rankings for Local Government and Planning for his work at the Bar of England & Wales.

There were Band 1 rankings for Stephen Winter in Immigration and Denis Garrity in Real Estate Litigation. Scott Blair received further Band 2 rankings for Administrative & Public Law and Civil Liberties & Human Rights; Ewen Brown received Band 2 rankings for Commercial Dispute Resolution and Real Estate Litigation; Graham Dunlop, Peter Grant-Hutchison and Maurice O’Carroll all received Band 2 rankings for Employment; and Derek Francis received a Band 2 ranking for Private Client.

The clerking team at Terra Firma are praised for being responsive, helpful and efficient: “Terra Firma goes the extra mile!”. “The clerking team is exceptionally proactive and supportive.” “The service from Terra Firma Chambers is excellent. Practice manager Emma Caskie-Potter and her deputy clerks go above and beyond in assisting solicitors with instructions.”