The dispute resolution and litigation team at Shoosmiths in Scotland has underlined the growing demand for its specialist legal advice across key sectors, revealing a robust growth in financial performance over the last three years.
The practice, co-led in Scotland by partners Andrew Foyle and Stuart Clubb, transformed its operational focus in 2020/2021, divesting itself of its non-core debt collection practice. The team is reaping the benefits of this strategic shift, with net profits increasing by 30% in 2022/2023 and by 19% over the last financial year (2023/24).
Key areas of growth for the Glasgow and Edinburgh offices during the year have included winning new clients and workstreams within the financial services sector. They have achieved a strong performance within Shoosmiths’ motor finance practice, dealing with claims both for and against lenders, while there has also been a notable uptick in mortgage litigation.
Demand for Shoosmiths real estate litigation experience has also increased, while Andrew and Stuart’s reputation for leading complex insolvency and litigation cases has attracted more IP clients. Stuart has also been instructed by the UK’s leading insolvency litigation funder in several high value claims against directors of insolvent companies.
The appointment of Seonaid Sandham as a senior associate in April has also boosted the team. The highly respected lawyer has been busy applying her legal expertise and advising clients across real estate litigation, insolvency matters and complex motor finance and financial services cases.
Andrew commented: “These strong results are very encouraging and support our assertion back in January 2024 that litigation cases would continue to rise both north and south of the border during the year.
“The results and Shoosmiths growing reputation within key markets are testament to the expertise and diligence consistently applied by our hard- working, talented team on behalf of our valued clients.
“Looking ahead, in addition to further cementing our reputation for achieving results in sectors including financial services, I envisage increased demand from within the technology and energy and infrastructure markets.
“Early next year, we also expect to announce our latest litigation risk report for Scotland and the wider UK market. Its findings will include revealing what in-house senior lawyers and general counsel within major UK based businesses consider to be the key risks and opportunities for our sector in 2025 and beyond.”
