MFMac is a trusted legal partner to local government across Scotland, working with the majority of councils to support the delivery of vital public services.
Our integrated team–spanning procurement, planning and project finance–advises across the full lifecycle of infrastructure investment, from early-stage reform to the delivery of major capital programmes.
We regularly offer support in niche areas which require sensitive handling, such as equalities duties, compulsory purchase, licensing, child protection and whistleblowing.
We understand that service delivery is local and our legal support is shaped by the realities of frontline decision-making, community impact, political accountability and budget scrutiny, which is why we focus on value for money, transparent pricing and efficient, outcome-driven delivery.
We work hand-in-hand with Scotland’s local authorities to strengthen public service delivery through smarter procurement and deeper third sector engagement. Our quarterly sessions with procurement and commissioning teams–spanning councils such as City of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highland and Glasgow City Council–focus on unlocking the full potential of social procurement.
These conversations help shape inclusive commissioning strategies, foster innovation in service models and ensure that public investment delivers lasting community benefit.
As part of our added value offering, we run a regular programme of live webinars for local authority in-house legal teams across a variety of topics relevant to the sector, covering trends, developments and upcoming changes.
Community Asset Transfer (“CAT”) is a statutory right under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. It enables community organisations to request the ownership, lease, or management of publicly owned land or buildings, with the intention of delivering long-term benefits for the local community. This mechanism is especially relevant for charities seeking to expand, provide new services, or secure premises. Importantly, the request must be granted by the relevant authority unless there are reasonable grounds for refusal.
From tracking down fly-tippers to clearing overflowing bins, waste management is one of the most visible, and often scrutinised, functions of our public services. It’s also a frequent ‘headache headline’ for councils across the UK. As local authorities in Scotland grapple with budget constraints and rising demand, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way waste services are delivered. The technology holds real promise, but its implementation in the public sector is far from straightforward.
The Scottish Budget is expected to be announced at Holyrood on 4 December, when the Scottish Parliament will start to debate Scottish Government plans for tax and spending from April 2025. Looking forward to Scotland's budget means looking back to the UK Budget because Scottish decisions are hemmed in by the UK Budget.
Scotland’s go-to team to support local government–delivering, strategic results where it matters most.
With a strong background in local government, Rory advises local authorities on complex planning and litigation matters.
Robin advises local authorities on complex infrastructure, procurement and construction matters.
Amy possesses a deep knowledge of complex local government matters related to property and infrastructure.
Suzanne has extensive experience advising local authorities on property transactions and estate management.
Douglas has significant experience advising local authorities on complex legal disputes and regulatory matters.
Jenny advises local authorities, with extensive experience dealing with complex legal and regulatory matters.
Gwen works closely with local authorities on matters related to complex construction contracts and infrastructure delivery.
Sarah advises local authorities on dispute resolution and employment matters within the public sector.
Nicola provides advice to local authorities on complex disputes and regulatory matters across Scotland.
Alison provides leading-edge advice to local government clients on data protection, governance and regulatory compliance.
Lucia is a highly regarded family law specialist with extensive experience advising on complex child protection orders and custody matters, including residence, contact and parental rights disputes.
At MFMac, we believe that integrity is the cornerstone of a healthy workplace. Our own whistleblowing guidance empowers our people to raise concerns safely and confidently, knowing they’ll be heard and protected. We support our Public Sector clients where an issue has been raised by members of their team too. Whether the issue relates to regulatory breaches, employment misconduct, licensing irregularities, or data protection failures, our team offers clear, expert-led support rooted in decades of legal experience.
