A north-east law firm has reported a “significant” rise in employment issues as energy firms seek to cut costs in the wake of the oil gas price crash.
Eric Gilligan, the leader of the employment team for Stronachs, says the firm has been busy responding to client companies changing ownership, reducing the size of the workforce and outsourcing employees to other firms through a process referred to as Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) rules.
Mr Gilligan said: “What has been of particular interest has been the number of TUPE transfers we have been involved in supporting, brought about by companies outsourcing work as fluctuations in the energy sector have continued to influence how projects are being completed.”
The Aberdeen-headquartered law firm added that Mr Gilligan has been re-accredited as a specialist in employment law by the Law Society of Scotland.
The firm’s Inverness office has also reported a rise in corporate activity, including mergers and acquisitions, as well as commercial property transactions across the Highlands and Moray.
Office leader Colin Sandilands said: “There is real buoyancy in the north and our ongoing expansion has involved working closely with our clients and with the Chambers of Commerce and other organisations.”
Mr Sandilands also expects a rise in claims about personal injury rise when a new specialist Personal Injury Court opens in Edinburgh in September.
“I also expect to see rising activity related to personal injury claims, as new rules coming into force will involve those cases being heard in a specialist court – which will see us working ever-closer with clients as they prepare to pursue or defend those actions,” he said.
Stronachs noted that Mr Sandilands recently qualified as a Solicitor Advocate in a ceremony at the Court of Session.
David Rennie, managing partner of Stronachs, said: “When we appointed him as head of our Inverness office, Colin Sandilands brought a superb pedigree developed with larger firms earlier in his career. His qualification as a Solicitor Advocate means he is able to offer his vast experience to clients personally at the Court of Session, across activities including commercial contract and property dispute actions, as well as personal injury cases.”