TLT growth drives expansion in Edinburgh and move to state-of-the-art office

TLT has relocated to New Clarendon – a newly refurbished building located at 114-116 on the prestigious George Street in the heart of the city of Edinburgh. The new office more than doubles TLT’s footprint in Edinburgh, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to investing in Scotland and supporting its ambitious growth plans.

TLT’s vision has generated growth and demand for strategic legal advice within the firm’s seven key sectors, in particular in future energy and financial services, as well as for its expertise in corporate, finance and transaction advisory, reflecting TLT’s focus on these areas in Edinburgh.

The announcement follows TLT’s moves to Eden in Manchester last year and Cadworks in Glasgow in 2022, the firm’s first concept offices in two of the UK’s most sustainable and innovative buildings. As well as supporting TLT’s net-zero targets, the three offices play a central part in shaping the firm’s flexible approach to working, TLT World. 

The New Clarendon office has been designed from scratch, with facilities and tech enabling employees to mix remote working with time in the office. The office has been built to enhance occupier health, wellbeing and productivity, offering open plan workplaces and spaces for employees and clients to work collaboratively. The design also includes features to make the space accessible to those with reduced mobility and neurodiverse requirements such as adapted lighting, soft meeting rooms, a wellbeing space and adjustable workspaces. Located on the fifth floor of the building, the office also boasts a balcony with spectacular view over Edinburgh’s old town.

New Clarendon’s holistic approach to sustainability and wellbeing reinforces TLT’s position as one of the most forward-thinking and environmentally conscious law firms in the UK. The building has been designed to be a low-energy, all electric facility supporting TLT’s net-zero strategy. It has achieved several sustainability certifications, including a targeted BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and an EPC rating of A. In addition, the building offers contemporary cycle facilities with a cycle store with 72 racks and a repair station, as well as showers and changing rooms to facilitate active travel to the office.

The relocation builds on recent achievements for the firm in Edinburgh, including advising on high-profile commercial matters like the Energy Saving Trust partnership to improve energy efficiency for UK Airbnb hosts. 

TLT’s leading Licensing team has supported major clients like Aldi and C.J Lang across Scotland, advised on the licensing for flagship events at the Murrayfield Stadium such as the Robbie Williams concerts, provided ongoing guidance for St James Quarter, Signature Pubs, Scottish Event Campus, and short-term let licensing across the country.

The Banking team has advised on several complex lending facilities to support business growth including acting for National Timber Group in relation to the negotiation of a £35,000,000 super senior asset-based lending facility from Aurelius Finance Company, and advising HSBC UK Bank plc and HSBC Invoice Finance Limited in relation to the increase of asset-based lending facilities to a manufacturer in the food and drink sector.

In addition, members of the firm’s national Corporate team based in Edinburgh are some of the most experienced legal advisers for EOT deals in Scotland, including supporting United Auctions on its transfer to an EOT model, marking the first agricultural EOT in Scotland, and advising T & N Gilmartin on its sale to an EOT, including advice on the future governance of the business.

The Commercial Dispute Resolution team has acted on a range of high value commercial disputes in recent years in relation to fraud, shareholder disputes and public procurement challenges. They have an extensive public law practice and have acted for the successful petitioner in the challenge to the Deposit Return Scheme as well as the Tied Pubs legislation. Across both our contentious and non-contentious teams the firm is also known for its work in the sport sector with a particular focus on acting for Scottish football clubs.

Other achievements have also seen the firm broaden its offering in Scotland with a number of lateral hires in recent years across real estate, litigation, corporate, banking and future energy. Recent partner hires have included Colin Brown (Real Estate), Douglas Roberts (Corporate), Keith Anderson (Commercial Dispute Resolution), and Euan Cluness (Banking). These latest arrivals join licensing specialist Caroline Loudon, Partner, who has spearheaded TLT’s licensing practice in Edinburgh for the last decade. 

John Paul Sheridan, Partner and Scotland Location Head said: “Edinburgh is one of the fastest growing business and professional service hubs in the UK and an important city for us to continue to build our presence. Relocating into a larger, fresh, modern and more sustainable workspace in the heart of Edinburgh is a core part of our plans to continue to invest to grow our business in Scotland. 

“Corporate, institutional finance, financial services and future energy are significant growth areas for us in Scotland. The growth driven by our relocation will give us greater scope to build on our strengths in this area and firmly position ourselves as industry strategic advisers to these areas. 

“Our relocation offers local legal talent the opportunity to come and work for one of the most ambitious and innovative law firms in the country, where people are recognised, valued and rewarded.

“New Clarendon aligns perfectly with our values, providing a space for employees and clients to collaborate, easy access sustainable transport links, and the opportunity to be part of the thriving business community in the area, supporting our plans for what comes next in Scotland.” 

Photo credit: Andrew Godfrey Photography