Richard McMeeken

Partner

0131 247 1035

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Richard is a Partner in the litigation and dispute resolution team.

The core of Richard's work is commercial litigation with a focus on contractual disputes, commercial real estate, insolvency & restructuring, banking & commercial finance and tax. He is an experienced professional liability practitioner and is a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers' Association. He also regularly acts for the firm's private clients in cases involving wills, trusts and succession matters or disputes in the financial services sector.

Richard works closely with the firm's corporate, commercial real estate, public sector and private client teams to provide advice on risk management and the resolution or litigation of disputes. As a Solicitor-Advocate he litigates in both the Court of Session, Sheriff Courts. Richard is dual-qualified in Scotland, England & Wales (although he only holds a practising certificate in Scotland). He is regularly instructed in cross-border commercial and insolvency disputes and on the enforcement of foreign judgements in Scotland.

Richard teaches commercial litigation on the Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Edinburgh and is regularly asked to speak on his areas of expertise for training providers such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, CLT Scotland and MBL. He has spoken for the CBI on reforming the contract law of the European Union and heads up the firm's training programme for trainee lawyers. Richard also leads the firm's More for Lawyers offering which focusses on providing specialist guidance to other solicitors.

Richard McMeeken is recommended for Real Estate Litigation by Legal 500 2018/19.

Expertise

Business expertise

Richard is an experienced commercial litigator and works closely with the firm's corporate and banking teams to resolve or litigate disputes for business. He has a reputation for clear and straightforward advice. He recognises that many commercial disputes may require a commercial solution rather than a legal one.

Richard also has years of experience representing the interests of clients in the Court of Session and Sheriff Courts of Scotland. His clients appreciate his dedication to achieving the best possible result for them and his efficient and cost-effective approach to litigation.

Richard McMeeken is recommended for Real Estate Litigation by Legal 500 2018/19.

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Commercial Real Estate expertise

Richard has acted for years for the firm's leading commercial clients in commercial real estate matters. He has experience advising on and litigating all aspects of commercial real estate disputes, with a focus on contractual disputes and insolvency.

In addition to his core work, Richard regularly advises on various other issues for developers, investors and housebuilders such as: keep-open obligations, servitudes, lease disputes and interdicts. He has previous acted for the UK's leading building societies in relation to their secured recovery work in Scotland and on the repossession of residential property.

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Public Sector expertise

Richard acts for most of the firm's public sector clients in commercial litigation matters including the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and various local authorities. He has advised local authorities and government bodies on the litigation aspects of contractual, professional negligence and employment disputes. He has advised foreign governments on the enforcement of judgements in Scotland.

In addition to advising on his core activities, Richard also deals with various public sector specific matters including: public procurement and state aid; the taxation of publicly funded research by educational institutions; and judicial review proceedings (including those concerned with information requests by HMRC; the administration of pension schemes; and human rights).

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Individuals and Families expertise

Richard has represented the firm's private clients for more than 10 years and understands that quick and efficient resolution of disputes for individuals is essential both financially and for their peace of mind. He works with the firm's private client team to ensure that any disputes that may arise in wills, trusts or succession matters are resolved quickly and effectively. He also advises on disputes in the financial services sector and on professional negligence claims for private clients.

Where resolution of disputes is not possible amicably, Richard tenaciously represents his clients' interests in the Scottish courts. Examples of his recent experience include: actions of reduction (setting-aside) of wills and other testamentary writings; acting for executors, beneficiaries and attornies in actions of accounting; dealing with applications to remove/replace executors; and advising on the variation of trusts and appointment of trustees.

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What our clients and peers say:

"Regularly sought out by a range of stakeholders including lenders and insolvency practitioners. He is experienced at advising on contentious issues with sources praising his ability to manage insolvency litigation."

Chambers & Partners

Richard McMeeken, is recommended for Real Estate Litigation by Legal 500 2018/19.

Legal 500 2018/19