Your trusted partner in the Living sector

The way we live continues to change.

We’re here to help stakeholders deliver communities and neighbourhoods where people can live, learn and thrive.

We are a leading advisor in the living sector, with experienced specialists who work with developers, occupiers, investors, funders and contractors across the spectrum of Living sector asset classes, including:

  • Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA);

  • Built to Rent (BTR);

  • Social Housing / Affordable Housing, and

  • Later living.

We advise on all stages of developments, from inception to divestment. Whether you need advice on site acquisition and assembly, navigating the planning process, understanding the complex regulatory landscape or advice on funding, investment and disposal, our experts in real estateplanningconstructionreal estate financerpublic law and regulatorytax and more are on hand to help clients deliver and manage projects across Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Acting for some of Scotland’s largest housing associations, we are at the cutting-edge of developing new models and are regularly involved with social housing projects acting for Registered Social Landlords, housebuilders partnering with RSLs and developers who assemble and promote sites. We have the expertise to help clients develop structures to deliver value and raise finance.

We leverage decades of experience in housebuilding and helping clients to deliver significant residential, mixed-use, and regeneration projects and have real time understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape and market conditions affecting the living sector.

What our clients say about us...

The firm has the strength and depth of expertise and experience that few Scottish legal firms can match. Partners and staff have knowledge, expertise and experience that is of enormous benefit.

- Social Housing Client. Chambers & Partners, 2023

The team has an excellent reputation for delivering a high level of service and for the in-depth knowledge and experience they have of the Scottish housing sector and environment, over a range of areas from property acquisition to project assembly and security work to funding and finance

Scottish Housing client, Legal 500, 2023

Burness Paull are true market leaders in terms of their knowledge and experience. They have a strength in depth that covers all markets, and their advice adds real value to our transactions.

- Social Housing client, Legal 500, 2023

Key Contacts

View all living sector lawyers

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Stand-out team in Scotland for UK real estate.

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Titans in housebuilding and housing in Scotland.

Real Estate Finance

Experts in complex multi-jurisdictional financings.

Real Estate Litigation

Collaborating with you to help manage risks and disputes arising from your real estate assets.

Construction

Supporting UK contractors & the public sector on groundbreaking construction & engineering projects.

Planning

Experts in all aspects of policy, planning and practice.

Rural Business

Supporting clients in building the success of Scotland’s rural economy.

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