We have been instructed to look after members of our longstanding clients, the Scottish Police Federation, to pursue claims on behalf of police officers over the ‘Clean Shaven’ policy implemented in their departments. Our Head of Employment, Amanda Buchanan, speaking on BBC Scotland, said that protecting employees was a very important and legitimate aim but questioned the proportionality of the policy. We will continue to fight hard to represent their interests.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65622474
We were very pleased to help Joanna Cherry MP last week in her successful discrimination case against The Stand Comedy Club, in which she was represented by our senior partner, David McKie, working closely with Aidan O’Neill KC who produced a comprehensive opinion on the Equality Act. We were particularly glad that Joanna’s pragmatism and wish to resolve the case as quickly as possible was met with such a positive response from The Stand. This case proved that a focused letter with supporting material on the law can lead to early, quick and amicable resolutions, limiting costs for all. While the subject matter no doubt will continue to be debated, the case showed the importance of the law being effective in its practical implementation. It also proved how legal disputes, when properly focused, don’t necessarily need to be fractured or protracted and that competing views and disputes around them can continue to be aired and debated respectfully when the Equality Act is responsibly observed.
SNP MP threatens legal action against comedy club after show cancellation
Stand comedy club apologises and U-turns on Joanna Cherry show ban
This week, Levy & McRae were delighted to exhibit and support the Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) conference held at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh. With a strong commitment to the rural economy, we serve a variety of interests in the sector, including sporting, agricultural, property, and local businesses.
Our senior partner, David McKie, and Olivia Robertson from our real estate team represented the firm at the event. The conference drew a large, dedicated crowd, emphasizing SLE’s role as a major voice for rural business in Scotland.
David McKie commented, “We have been proud SLE members and supporters of their conference for many years. It was a pleasure again to see and catch up with so many attendees, as well as our fellow exhibitors who represent a wide portfolio of businesses supporting Scotland’s vital rural economy.”
Senior partner David McKie has questioned the proposal to abolish the Not Proven verdict announced today by the Scottish government and is quoted extensively in the media:
David commented:
“The ‘not proven’ verdict has been a vital cornerstone of the Scottish justice system for centuries. It is grounded in ensuring a fundamental pillar of the trial process – that the Crown proves its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“I see no reason to abolish the verdict and am concerned at what appears a further erosion of the rights of an accused person in this country. A judge or a jury is perfectly capable of understanding the distinction in each case and to reach a verdict based on the unique circumstances they face. I am not convinced this will do anything to help victims or complainers at all.”
At Levy and McRae, we are pleased to announce the launch of our brand new website, designed to reflect our commitment to excellence and showcase our expertise in niche litigation law in Scotland. As a dedicated litigation law firm, we understand the importance of evolving with the times and staying on the cutting edge of legal developments. With this in mind, our new website is more than just a digital makeover; it’s a step forward in our mission to better serve our clients and communicate our expertise in a digital-first world.
Our new website features a clean, modern design that is both aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly. It captures our expert-led offering to our clients, delivered in an understated, confidential and confident manner.
One of the key features of our new online strategy will be the expanded and updated resources section. We will create informative articles and guides, addressing various aspects of niche litigation law in Scotland. This wealth of information, crafted by our experienced lawyers, will be beneficial to individuals and businesses alike as they navigate the complex world of litigation.
Our updates will also serve as a hub for our clients and the broader legal community to stay informed and engaged with the world of niche litigation law in Scotland.
We will also be developing a new case studies section. This area of the website will highlight some of the landmark cases we have been involved in, our most notable successes and achievements in the field of niche litigation law. By showcasing these cases, we aim to demonstrate our expertise and the value we bring to our clients, while also providing a more in-depth understanding of the litigation process for those less familiar with it.
Our new website also features a streamlined contact page, making it easier than ever for clients and prospective clients to get in touch with us. We know that litigation can be a daunting process, and we want to ensure that reaching out to our team is as simple and stress-free as possible. Whether you need advice or wish to discuss potential representation, our experienced solicitors are ready to assist.
In conclusion, our new website represents the next chapter in Levy and McRae’s story. We are thrilled to present this new online platform to better serve our clients, showcase our expertise, and our prominent positioning in the Scottish legal landscape. We invite you to explore our new website and discover for yourself the range of resources, insights, and expertise that we offer.
We look forward to continuing to serve our clients and the wider legal community with dedication, excellence, and a commitment to the very best outcomes for those we have the privilege to represent.
Levy & McRae’s Criminal Law Department continues to go from strength to strength with the incorporation of another top private criminal law team. Solicitor-Advocate Neil Hay brings with him his core legal team of Associate Solicitor Andrew Seggie and Legal Team PA Michelle McKinnon from one of Scotland’s foremost private criminal law firms. The move is part of Levy & McRae’s ongoing commitment to delivering the highest client service. The new team will be Edinburgh-based but will work across the whole of Scotland and throughout the United Kingdom. The hire also means that the firm has a stronger presence in London where they hope to extend their links further.
A specialist in private criminal law, Neil Hay has a long professional association with the firm that goes back almost 25 years and has worked in partnership with the Levy & McRae on a number of cases. He specialises in all aspects of criminal law, including complex regulatory crime, fraud and financial crime, historical allegations and road traffic cases; he is particularly highly regarded for his expertise in defending serious sexual and domestic crime cases. Neil has an extensive high-net-worth individual caseload and is trusted by referral firms from across the UK, including magic circle firms, to handle some of the most complex and demanding reputational cases in and out of court – for individuals, organisations and corporations alike.
Andrew Seggie specialises in all areas of criminal law including domestic abuse offences, sexual offences, assault, offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act, road traffic offences and proceedings brought under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Like Neil too, Andrew’s work often involves the most challenging cross-jurisdictional matters and historical allegations.
The firm also announced the promotion of Ray Gribben to Legal Director.
David McKie, Senior Partner, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Neil and his team to Levy & McRae. Our firm has a long history of undertaking high quality criminal defence work and Neil’s reputation is exemplary in that field. I am particularly delighted too that we are opening in Edinburgh for the first time I’d like to congratulate Ray too on his well deserved promotion’
Neil Hay said: ‘It is a great pleasure to join the team at Levy & McRae. It is a firm I have known and admired for many years and look forward to developing my practice in exciting and vibrant legal firm’
We were very proud to see our former senior partner and Scottish litigation giant, Len Murray, feature in the Evening Times. His case, a murder trial with a sentence of capital punishment is now 60 years old, but reminds us of how far the legal profession has come in that relatively short time. The stakes we now fight for are high, but nothing compared with the pressure on Len and his peers who were defending not just liberty, but life. Len Murray’s presence with and influence on the firm cannot be understated. He attracted clients who remain with the firm today and also brought work which have led to the many and diverse streams we see in the firm today. I was fortunate to work with Len when he was a consultant with the firm and he always had time to listen, to counsel – and to ensure my syntax and spelling were immaculate! He has become in recent years one the foremost after dinner speakers in the country and a world leading authority and speaker on Robert Burns.
Covid-19 Policyholders Action Group
The decision of the High Court in the test case brought by the Financial Conduct Authority is good news for policyholders. The High Court has found in favour of policyholders on many of the key issues in the proceedings involving eight insurers.
The judgement should now lead to insurers progressing and paying out on many non-damage business interruption insurance extensions.
L&M are considering the 162 page judgement and how this applies directly or indirectly to the particular wording of the claims that we are instructed in.
Any Scottish policyholders seeking specialist legal assistance should contact covid19claims@lemac.co.uk
Levy & McRae Solicitors has launched an action group for Scottish businesses seeking specialist legal assistance with Covid-19 business interruption insurance claims. Levy & McRae is a litigation focused law firm based in Glasgow that has extensive experience in acting for policyholders, particularly SMEs, in claims against insurers.
The firm has been advising clients and their insurance brokers about the cover provided by insurance policies for business interruption claims since the start of lockdown. Policy wordings vary but there are a number of common features. Policyholders can achieve cost savings by joining together with other clients who have the same interests. Individual businesses, even large successful can be reluctant to incur the costs of pursuing claims against large insurers on their own, but there is strength in numbers – and cost savings.
The firm has a network of loss adjusters, forensic accountants and other professionals who are experienced in assisting policyholders with claims.
The FCA is taking action in England seeking a declaration to help work out which claims should be met by insurers. That declaration may – or may not be final and authoritative. The declaration is dealing only with the policies of eight insurers.
Many business interruption policies do not provide cover for claims arising from Covid-19 as policies often require loss, destruction or damage to property before the policy is triggered, but policy wordings do vary.
Levy & McRae has identified that certain policyholders with particular policy terms that have the potential for cover. The firm is inviting policyholders who meet the criteria below who wish to join the group to contact them:-
If you wish to join the action group, then we can consider the policy wording relevant to you. There will be a small initial fixed cost (£350 plus VAT) for that initial review where we will provide initial advice as to the potential for claims. Those with potential claims may wish to participate in the group to pursue their claims. Those who consider they may have claims meeting the criteria should contact covid19claims@lemac.co.uk
Levy & McRae are delighted to announce Peter Anderson
