Firm Profile
As the largest Highland-born and Highland-based solicitor firm, Macleod & MacCallum has successfully built on a reputation of a quality of service that was first established over 40 years ago.
That success has meant that, in a recent survey, the firm is now ranked in the top 40 out of
Key to success has been Macleod & MacCallum’s commitment to the regionto the clients it serves.
Housed in the heart of the
In its services, the firm boasts eight dedicated teams providing a comprehensive range of specialisms for its Highlands-wide client base – from the individual preparing a will to a major developer acquiring land for a new housing development. These are teams not only of breadth, but depth and experience.
This winning combination has been achieved by the firm’s commitment to its staff through constant development and improvement and more recently the implementation of a practice management system and staff groups ensuring greater efficiency in client management and the well-being of employees.
The approach is already paying dividends with nine new employees joining the firm since the turn of the year.
However, this level of commitment has just one aim – client satisfaction.
Senior partner,
“That is what sets us apart.”
With three experienced partners, an associate, qualified solicitor, a trainee solicitor about to complete her training and two paralegals, clients can count on experience and professionalism across a wide range of civil court proceedings.
With a large team specialising in three key areas – Family Law including Family Mediation, Employment Law and personal injury claims – the firm offers an unrivalled depth of service to deal with civil matters in a professional, efficient but sensitive manner.
These specialisms cover a multitude of circumstances from applications to employment tribunals, accident claims, relationship and marriage breakdown and disputes concerning children and property.
In addition, the team also deals with adoption and children’s hearings.
Associate
The introduction of the Family Law (
Partner
She added: “We are all very experienced. Clients can be in difficult circumstances and it can be very daunting for them to contact a solicitor.
“In court situations, most clients would want to be anywhere else in the world.
“Our role is to enable the client to make decisions. We do it as sensitively as possible but without losing sight of the impact of the decisions that need to be taken.”
Residential lettings
More and more homeowners are buying properties to let today as a way to supplement their pension or simply generate additional income.
Although not a new phenomenon, there has been a significant rise in the buy-to-let market in the
With a four-strong team of Amanda Douglas, Iona Morrison,
The team will manage all aspects of the let from visiting the property, advising on a rental price, arranging viewings and vetting potential tenants to preparing a short assured tenancy agreement which includes a detailed inventory of the property with pictures and informing the local authority and utility companies of the new tenant.
In addition, should the landlord/tenant relationship breakdown, the matter can be forwarded seamlessly to the court team to manage eviction proceedings or any other related issues.
“Because we can arrange all aspects of the let it takes away the stress and gives landlords complete peace of mind,” explained Amanda.
Commercial
The commercial team has built up strong relationships with its clients which include some of the
Another key area of the team’s expertise lies in acting on behalf of charities and not-for-profit companies.
In addition the team can offer general advice to small and medium-sized businesses, start-up advice and guidance on all aspects of commercial property including leasing, licensing and bank securities.
The team of six lawyers and paralegals offers a broad but comprehensive range of expertise and is ready to provide stand-alone legal services or to form part of a client’s professional team in connection with larger projects.
The commercial team: partners
Residential conveyancing
Residential conveyancing forms a key part of the team’s day-to-day business as it is concerned with the process of buying and selling, often the largest financial transaction a client will make in their life.
As such, the need for breadth of experience and depth of knowledge is greatest.
Whether it is buying, selling or re-mortgaging, the team possesses expert local and market knowledge to deal with all aspects of the sale and purchase such as the necessary interaction with builders and mortgage providers.
And possessing an in-depth local knowledge means the team is ideally placed to advise not only clients already living in the area but those looking to move to the Highands and
The property team played a key role in helping relocate staff from Scottish Natural Heritage when the organisation moved its headquarters to the
Solicitor
“Trying to put a property on the market privately can be shortsighted. We are a long-established, highly experienced team that can take away the hassle and the stress of buying or selling a property.”
Buying or selling a home is largely considered to be one of life’s most stressful experiences. However, the firm's dedicated property team can take all the stress and worry out of the “big move”, leaving clients free to enjoy this next chapter of their lives.
The six-strong team knows that estate agency is more than simply putting a For Sale sign up and preparing a property brief.
The figures speak for themselves. Last year the team sold £35 million worth of property.
With a team of sales negotiators, solicitors and administrative staff as back-up clients enjoy the best of both worlds – specialists who understand the property market; its trends, what appeals to buyers, how best to market and present a property, contingency plans if a property is not selling as quickly as the client had hoped and, of course, the formal steps in buying and selling from the initial survey to the transfer of funds between the two parties.
As a founder member of the Highland Solicitor’s
And unlike many other legal firms, the estate agency team is available on Saturday mornings.
Managing our money is an area of life that we all need help with at some point or another whether it is deciding how best to invest it, buying a home or making adequate provision for the future.
Macleod & MacCallum offers a comprehensive financial service ensuring clients receive full and expert advice about their money enabling them to enjoy complete security and peace of mind.
In addition, with a dedicated team any natural overlap between related areas such as tax can be quickly and efficiently dealt with ensuring clients a seamless service.
The team is highly experienced and members possess an indepth knowledge of their specialisms, ensuring clients receive not only the most accurate information but also the full breadth of options available to them to suit their particular circumstances and requirements.
Being fully independent, the firm can look at what products are available throughout the market and take into account a client’s ethical views as well as the expected costs and returns.
Explained financial services consultant, Robert Chapman: “We enhance the services the firm already offers so clients have continuance.
“We are not trying to sell financial products but develop long term relationships with our clients so they have the confidence to keep coming back.
“No one individual is the same so when we are entrusted to look at a person’s particular finances the service is tailored to that person.”
Rural land
The law concerning the use of rural land has changed significantly over the last 30 years – beginning with the Crofting Reform Act 1976 – and it continues to evolve.
Macleod & MacCallum’s rural land team currently manages clients ranging from individuals exercising their right to buy their land and de-crofting matters to community buy-outs and issues surrounding windfarm developments.
Relationships with clients are very much hands-on with visits being made to a land site or to a village hall to address a community group, for example over a proposed development.
The team also deals with matters that involve the Crofters’ Commission and Scottish Land
However, the team is well-placed to tackle these constant challenges.
Former senior partner,
Said Mr Flyn: “We cover a terrific variety of cases and circumstances and we are pleased to be involved in the development of crofting law at this interesting time.”
Wills, trusts and executries
Making a will is one of life’s necessities but one that is often ignored and put off for as long as possible.
It is understandable given the nature of the subject matter but having a team that specialises in such a sensitive area of law means the client benefits from a sympathetic but professional, efficient service.
Associate
Muriel explained that the need for a personal, bespoke service is crucial in this area.
Today’s clients have a host of issues ranging from diverse family situations perhaps involving children from previous and current relationships to matters concerning inheritance tax which is affecting more people because of the recent increases in property prices making many estates worth more than previously.
In addition to a will, clients may also have to consider the equally sensitive issue of granting power of attorney before they become incapacitated perhaps through a condition such as Alzheimer’s.
Leaving it too late could result in a relative having to apply through the court for a guardianship which can be both distressing and costly.
Said Muriel: “We look at a client’s whole situation so we can give the most appropriate advice tailored to their particular circumstances as sympathetically and efficiently.
“We offer a personal service to clients to meet their individual needs.”
