Our business and work lives are busy and complicated. It can often feel stressful and, well, a bit messy.
When family and business overlap, managing family life and the dynamics of power and succession across generations can be complex and emotive – particularly when property ownership and overseas interests are involved.
Our expert teams remove the complexity, providing joined-up advice to ensure your business and personal affairs are in order – now and in the future.
The ambitions of our clients go far beyond our home jurisdictions of Scotland and the wider UK, and we support them wherever they do business around the world.
This guide is aimed at businesses who are looking to expand or invest into the UK.
Keep up to date with news and analysis of the latest legal developments, written by our experts.
The increased cyber risks around the Christmas and New Year period.
Stay informed about the latest changes in your industry with webinars, conferences and in-person events delivered by our legal experts.
03/02/2025
We are delighted to launch our next “Essential Elements of Employment” training series, bringing legal issues to life in virtual webinars that are practical and meaningful.
Stay on top of key topics and major regulatory changes that may impact you or your industry.
We are a full-service, independent Scottish law firm focused on employing and working with the best people to deliver a consistently high-quality service to clients.
Clients want the very best legal advice, and they get it from us. But they also want that advice delivered by people with their feet on the ground who understand the context in which their recommendations are being applied.
Proudly based in Scotland, we work with leading organisations across the UK and internationally.
Clients tell us they appreciate the breadth of our legal expertise, the depth of our talent and, crucially, the down-to-earth personality of our people.
It is our single most important point of difference – a human and high-performing culture that permeates all that we do.
The desire to constantly seek opportunities to improve the client experience and always find a ‘better way’ is deeply embedded in the DNA of Burness Paull.
Its roots lie in the energy and curiosity of our people and, as we’ve grown, we’ve supported that spirit with an enabling structure and process.
We believe that this, coupled with the human and high-performing partnerships we create with each other and our clients, is fundamental to our near and long-term success, both as a leading law firm and as a responsible employer.
Catch up on the latest updates and announcements from Burness Paull.
We’re supporting new choreography of The Nutcracker, on tour this Christmas.
At the heart of our firm are a talented group of individuals. Whether you’re a lawyer or a business services professional, we need more individuals who share what we believe in to help us take the next step.
We are always looking for people with different stories who share our ambition. We want people to be who they are, not who they think we want them to be.
Explore our current vacancies
If so, and you’re seeking colleagues who are high-achieving but human too, then you’ll be right at home here at Burness Paull.
We offer a range of law programmes, including work experience for high school students, summer placements for university students, and legal traineeships for law graduates looking to kickstart their career.
The right attitude and a healthy dose of ambition are essential for anyone looking to join us.
Just as important is personality. We’re looking for people who are attracted to our hard-working, team culture with a willingness to learn and develop.
Do you want to be part of a team that’s market leading, not only in Scotland but globally?
At Burness Paull, we understand what matters to rural Scotland.
Our team is made up of dedicated rural and agricultural specialists, but we’re more than just lawyers – we're advocates, stewards, and champions of Scotland’s best natural asset. We are at ease in supporting clients in this dynamic sector, supporting the people, businesses and communities that make our landscapes come alive.
The rural business team has developed into a major presence in the market. They have considerable experience of the agricultural and estates sector in Scotland, backed up by the wider resources and support that the firm has to offer. They have excellent knowledge of both the relevant law and the needs of their clients. They can be relied upon to exercise sound judgement and advice.
Legal 500, 2025
When it comes to rural and agricultural law, experience is everything. Our team has a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the issues that matter to rural communities. We work alongside farmers, landowners and rural businesses.
From land use, estate management, trust and partnership conveyancing, contracts for conditional sale of development land, clean energy projects and other natural capital projects, to forestry, succession planning, diversification, and agricultural holdings, we have the expertise to provide the support that you need.
Our rural team is also supported by experts in real estate, planning, environment, energy, tax, banking and finance, health and safety, litigation, construction, intellectual property, commercial contracts, private client and family and divorce.
We understand that the rural sector faces unique challenges that demand a special kind of legal support. We ensure our advice is tailored to serve you best, by taking the time to learn about you, your needs, your aspirations and to understand the issues that matter to you. From family farms to large estates, we can help you navigate the legal complexities of rural business and explore the full breadth of opportunities open to you in an ever-changing world.
We’re a firm with a Scottish heart and a global mind. This combination of local knowledge and global perspective means that we can provide you with comprehensive solutions that bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. We're proud to represent the heritage and potential of rural Scotland while understanding the dynamics of a changing legal landscape.
When you choose Burness Paull, you're choosing more than a law firm – you're choosing a trusted partner dedicated to protecting your livelihood and legacy by guiding you through the evolving legal landscape with both care and expertise.
The rural knowledge of the Burness Paull team means they understand the industry their clients operate in and can tailor their advice appropriately.
Chambers UK, 2025
Today is Martinmas, a significant date in the farming calendar.
The Chancellor's autumn budget has thrown all of that estate planning into the air, or has it?
Starting October 1 2024, significant changes to the law will impact how employers manage tips.
© Burness Paull
Burness Paull LLP is a limited liability partnership of lawyers registered in Scotland (SO300380). We are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland and authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (838632).
