Leading independent Scottish legal firm Lindsays has appointed a new Managing Partner elect.
Andrew Diamond, currently a Partner and the firm’s Head of Residential Property, will take up the role on October 1st.
He will succeed Alasdair Cummings, who is stepping aside after 14 years in the role – a period during which Lindsays has completed six mergers and seen annual turnover grow from £9m to almost £28m.
A handover process is already underway, following which Mr Cummings will remain a Partner.
Mr Diamond, who joined Lindsays through its merger with MacLachlan and MacKenzie in 2012, aims for the firm to continue its growth organically, as well as through mergers and strong strategic hires.
He said: “I am delighted to be taking on this role. I am very much the continuity candidate. And, while in politics that may not always be viewed favourably, it is a good thing for Lindsays. It’s business as usual here.
“We are clear in our identity as an independent Scottish firm, working with Scottish families and businesses. There will be no change to that. We will continue with steady, strategic growth on the same path as we have followed.
“Our culture at Lindsays is our greatest asset. Our people matter. We have the soul of a smaller firm but with all the benefits of scale. That is down to Alasdair’s leadership, for which we are all grateful. I have very large shoes to fill.”
Mr Cummings’ Lindsays story has seen him rise from trainee to Managing Partner, beginning in 1986, with only a five-year gap during which he worked for a London legal firm before returning to Lindsays in Edinburgh in 1993 to help grow its corporate and commercial law services.
He said: “Lindsays means so much to me. To be Managing Partner of this firm, with its tremendous team, has been the undoubted highlight of my career.
“The past 14 years have been a successful and exciting journey. Together, we have achieved good growth, a wider geographic footprint and become a full-service firm, of which I am incredibly proud. The time, however, feels right for a new voice to lead Lindsays into the next stage of that journey.
“My current three-year term as managing partner was due to end next March and I was always clear that I would not be seeking another. With that in mind, making a change now feels like sensible succession planning. Andrew is a very worthy successor and I look forward to supporting him in any way I can.”
Lindsays has 53 Partners along with 300 other solicitors and staff working from its offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Perth and Crieff.
Nina Taylor, Lindsays’ Chair, said: “Alasdair has led Lindsays with purpose, professionalism and integrity. His leadership typifies our firm’s people-first approach to everything. Our thanks go to him for the success he has delivered for the firm and our very best wishes go to Andrew as the baton is passed on. The Partnership is right behind him.”
The image shows Andrew Diamond, left, who will succeed Alasdair Cummings, right, as Managing Partner of independent Scottish legal firm Lindsays.
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Top curry restaurant Radhuni is helping set the stage for Loanhead Gala Week’s biggest ever programme.
It has donated £500 to make sure things go with a swing on the town’s Fountain Green on Wednesday 25 June when crowds will be entertained by the Midlothian Community Concert Band.
Habibur Khan, Managing Partner of The Radhuni, voted the UK’s 2024 Curry Restaurant of the Year by trade magazine Curry Life, presented the cheque to sponsor the concert to Ross Perfect, Chairman of Loanhead Gala Day Association.
“This year’s Gala Week will have even more entertainment than previous years between 22 and 28 June, including the Promenade Concert, and for this we can thank generous sponsors like The Radhuni,” Ross said. “It has been a longstanding supporter of Gala Week as well as a very popular local restaurant.”
Habibur added: “Radhuni has won many national awards but our heart is in Midlothian and we regard ourselves first and foremost as a community hub. We take pride in associating ourselves with the huge band of volunteers who make Gala Week such a regular success and The Grand Procession on Gala Day, Midlothian’s largest parade, such a joy for thousands of spectators.”
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Full-service legal firm Gilson Gray is celebrating further success in the landmark litigation against its client, US-based private equity house Lime Rock Partners, by renowned oil and gas businessman, Robert Kidd. The claim was understood to be the single biggest damages claim in Scottish legal history.
In March 2024, after having heard weeks of evidence, the commercial judge (Lord Tyre) found in favour of Lime Rock Partners and the other defenders. Mr Kidd appealed that decision to the Inner House of the Court of Session, which was heard over four days in January 2025. In its decision today, the Court has again ruled in favour of Lime Rock Partners and the other defenders.
The case centred on an investment in ITS Tubular Services, a North Sea drilling company set up by Mr Kidd in 1989. A minority stake in the company was sold to Lime Rock in 2009. Mr Kidd had made a number of allegations arising from that deal. The commercial judge found in favour of Lime Rock and the other defenders, ruling against Mr Kidd on every point. That decision has been upheld on appeal.
A team of litigation and dispute resolution specialists from Gilson Gray acted for Lime Rock, including Alex Garioch, Fraser Cameron, and Iain Grant, all of whom welcomed the Court’s decision.
Alex Garioch, partner at Gilson Gray, said: “In what has been an extremely complex, lengthy and high value litigation we are delighted that our client’s position has been entirely vindicated and that they have won on every line of defence advanced. Gilson Gray are proud to have successfully represented Lime Rock Partners and two former employees in this very challenging and hard fought litigation. The team’s experience, application and collaboration with counsel, Kenny McBrearty KC, Alasdair McKenzie KC and Elisabeth Roxburgh contributed to such a positive outcome for our client.”
Glen Gilson, chair and managing partner of Gilson Gray, added: “This landmark case represents one of a series of high profile and extraordinary litigations that our team has successfully handled in recent months. From the definition of a woman in the Supreme Court, to the handling of complex Judicial Reviews and high value court actions, our Dispute Resolution division has helped establish Gilson Gray as one of the leading up and coming brands in UK law.”