Solicitors Glasgow

Directory/Commercial Property

Top Commercial Property Solicitors In Glasgow.

  • 8 firms compared
  • Independently researched
  • Updated November 2026
An empty refurbished commercial unit with arched windows in a Glasgow sandstone building

Finding the best commercial property solicitors Glasgow has to offer

Buying, selling or leasing business premises is one of the largest commitments a business makes. A commercial lease can tie you to repairing obligations and rent reviews for a decade or more, and a purchase can bring tax, title and planning issues that are expensive to fix later. The right commercial property solicitor will protect your position and keep the deal moving.

Scottish commercial property law differs from the rest of the UK. Contracts are concluded by an exchange of letters called missives, titles are registered in the Land Register of Scotland, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax replaces Stamp Duty, and leases have their own rules on irritancy (a landlord's right to terminate) and automatic continuation at the end of the term. Glasgow's market spans city centre offices and retail, industrial and logistics sites, hotels, student accommodation and major regeneration projects.

This guide compares eight Glasgow firms, all ranked by Legal 500 for commercial property in Edinburgh and Glasgow, from the market leaders on the largest deals to firms recommended for owner-managed businesses and smaller transactions.

How we compared and ranked these Glasgow commercial property firms

Commercial property depth

A dedicated team covering acquisitions, sales, leasing, development and finance.

Directory recognition

Legal 500 rankings for commercial property in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Chambers UK real estate rankings.

Deal size fit

Whether the firm is best suited to major investment and development deals or to smaller premises and leases.

Sector experience

Named experience in sectors such as retail, offices, hotels, logistics, healthcare and housebuilding.

Named senior lawyers

Recognised partners who will lead your transaction.

Glasgow presence

A Glasgow office and knowledge of the city's property market.

Glasgow commercial property firms compared at a glance

Comparison of the top commercial property solicitors in Glasgow (updated November 2026)
# Firm Legal 500Best forKnown for
1Brodies LLPTier 1Major investment, development and finance dealsDevelopers, housebuilders, investors and public authorities; tech and life sciences
2Burness PaullTier 1Housebuilders, developers and investorsBuild to rent, student accommodation; hotel, leisure and retail
3Shepherd and WedderburnTier 1Institutional investors, REITs and corporatesAsset management, acquisitions and development; telecoms, energy and housing
4Morton Fraser MacRobertsTier 2Retail, leisure and logistics clientsDomestic and cross-border deals; automotive, aviation, education and hotels
5LindsaysTier 3 (Chambers Band 1, real estate up to £10 million)Owner-managed businesses, investors and retailersAcquisitions, sales, lettings and development; offices and hotels
6Anderson StrathernTier 3SMEs, listed companies and public bodiesLandlord and tenant leasing; housebuilders; urban regeneration
7BTO SolicitorsTier 4 (Chambers Band 2, real estate up to £10 million)Retail, student accommodation and hotel clientsAcquisitions, leases and development; personal service
8Harper MacleodTier 4SMEs, individuals and institutional fundsHealthcare, retail and living sectors; the full Scottish acquisition process

The top 8 commercial property firms in Glasgow: full profiles

  1. Brodies LLP

    Visit website
    Glasgow office
    Yes (also Edinburgh, Aberdeen and others)
    Legal 500
    Tier 1, commercial property
    Chambers UK 2027
    Band 1, real estate litigation
    Team lead
    Johane Murray

    Brodies is Scotland's largest independent law firm and is ranked Tier 1 for commercial property in Legal 500, and Band 1 in Chambers for real estate litigation. Its commercial property team acts for developers, financial institutions and public authorities, with capability across the technology, life sciences and residential sectors.

    The team is led by Johane Murray, who advises developers on site acquisitions and sales. Richard Whyte is a leading choice for domestic and international investors, James Roscoe is sought after for structuring project finance, and Allan Cairns acts for major housebuilders. For large or complex transactions, Brodies is the market leader.

    Legal 500 Tier 1 Scotland's largest independent Development Investment Real estate litigation Band 1

  2. Burness Paull

    Visit website
    Glasgow office
    Yes (also Edinburgh and Aberdeen)
    Legal 500
    Tier 1, commercial property
    Chambers UK 2027
    Band 1, real estate litigation
    Practice head
    Peter Chambers

    Burness Paull is ranked Tier 1 for commercial property in Legal 500 and acts for housebuilders, developers and investors across acquisitions, asset management and disposals, with clients in the housing, energy and transport sectors. Its real estate litigation team is also Band 1 in Chambers.

    Practice head Peter Chambers advises on build to rent, student accommodation and social housing developments, Richard Rennie acts for financial institutions on investment and development, Nick Naddell handles hotel, leisure and retail work, and Graeme Bradshaw acts for occupiers, landlords and developers. It is a natural choice for the living sector and for large mixed-use projects.

    Legal 500 Tier 1 Build to rent Student accommodation Hotels and leisure Real estate litigation Band 1

  3. Shepherd and Wedderburn

    Visit website
    Glasgow office
    Yes (also Edinburgh, Aberdeen and London)
    Legal 500
    Tier 1, commercial property
    Co-heads
    Andrew Hall and David Mitchell
    Clients
    REITs, investment funds and corporates

    Shepherd and Wedderburn is ranked Tier 1 for commercial property in Legal 500 and handles the full spectrum of commercial property work, from asset management and acquisitions to developments. It is frequently instructed by corporations in the telecoms, energy and housing sectors.

    The team is co-led by Andrew Hall, a recognised authority on residential developments, and David Mitchell, whose property finance expertise brings regular instructions from REITs and institutional investment funds. Scott Ritchie advises hospitality and leisure clients, and Emma Guthrie acts on office, retail park and industrial estate developments. Clients highlight "senior team involvement in all aspects of the deal".

    Legal 500 Tier 1 Institutional investors Property finance Hospitality and leisure Senior-led

  4. Morton Fraser MacRoberts

    Visit website
    Glasgow office
    Yes (also Edinburgh)
    Legal 500
    Tier 2, commercial property
    Team lead
    Michael Ramsay
    Sectors
    Retail, leisure, logistics, automotive, hotels

    Morton Fraser MacRoberts, formed when Edinburgh's Morton Fraser combined with Glasgow's MacRoberts, is ranked Tier 2 for commercial property in Legal 500. Its team works across the full life of a property transaction, from acquisition to disposal, for clients in the retail, leisure and logistics sectors, including cross-border deals.

    Michael Ramsay leads the team and is a port of call for automotive, aviation and education clients, Kelsey Gibson acts for multinational corporations and financial institutions, Chris McLeish focuses on forward funding and development, and John McQuillan on hotels. Clients describe the advice as "always extremely commercial".

    Legal 500 Tier 2 Retail and logistics Forward funding Hotels Glasgow roots

  5. Lindsays

    Visit website
    Glasgow office
    Yes (also Edinburgh)
    Legal 500
    Tier 3, commercial property
    Chambers UK 2027
    Band 1, real estate up to £10 million
    Key lawyers
    Derek Nash, Kenny Gray, Clare Wilson

    Lindsays is ranked Band 1 in Chambers for real estate deals up to £10 million, the category most relevant to owner-managed businesses, and Tier 3 for commercial property in Legal 500. Its team handles acquisitions, sales, lettings and development deals for investors, retailers, companies and private individuals.

    Derek Nash is noted for his transactional expertise, Kenny Gray leads the firm's office and hotel work, and Darren Lightfoot covers property finance and commercial leasing. Clients describe the firm as "responsive and clear in their communications" and Derek Nash as "extremely knowledgeable and professional, but also approachable". For small and medium-sized businesses, it is one of the strongest choices.

    Chambers Band 1 (up to £10m) Legal 500 Tier 3 SMEs Commercial leases Approachable

  6. Anderson Strathern

    Visit website
    Glasgow office
    George House, 50 George Square
    Legal 500
    Tier 3, commercial property
    Group lead
    Anne McGregor
    Clients
    SMEs, listed companies and government authorities

    Anderson Strathern is ranked Tier 3 for commercial property in Legal 500, with a strong book of work for SMEs, listed companies and government authorities across development and finance. Group lead Anne McGregor advises both landlords and tenants on leasing transactions, which makes the firm a good fit for businesses negotiating premises.

    Ruth Maclean acts for housebuilders, Paul Lombardi's development work spans urban regeneration and social housing, and Euan Mellor specialises in public sector clients. Its Glasgow office on George Square puts it at the heart of the city's business district.

    Legal 500 Tier 3 Leasing for landlords and tenants SMEs Regeneration George Square office

  7. BTO Solicitors

    Visit website
    Glasgow office
    City centre headquarters (also Edinburgh)
    Legal 500
    Tier 4, commercial property
    Chambers UK 2027
    Band 2, real estate up to £10 million
    Practice head
    Nicolas McBride

    BTO is a Glasgow-headquartered firm ranked Band 2 in Chambers for real estate deals up to £10 million and Tier 4 in Legal 500. Its team covers acquisitions, leases and development projects, with practice head Nicolas McBride specialising in retail, Scott Buchan in student accommodation and Graeme Kelly in hotels.

    Clients value its size, describing it as "large enough to provide all-around legal expertise but small enough to remain personal", and say that "if you call, they answer the phone". For businesses that want ranked expertise without a national firm's scale, BTO is an excellent Glasgow option.

    Chambers Band 2 (up to £10m) Glasgow headquarters Retail Student accommodation Personal service

  8. Harper Macleod

    Visit website
    Glasgow office
    City centre headquarters
    Legal 500
    Tier 4, commercial property
    Co-leads
    Caroline Summers and John Meehan
    Sectors
    Healthcare, retail, living, leisure

    Harper Macleod's commercial property practice is ranked Tier 4 in Legal 500 and is praised for its ability to "handle the full Scottish acquisition process". It is frequently instructed by clients in the healthcare, retail and living sectors.

    Leadership is shared between Caroline Summers, whose clients include SMEs, individuals and institutional funds, and John Meehan, who handles leasing, property joint ventures and development. Clients say the team has "excellent commercial awareness and a focus on getting the deal done". Its Glasgow headquarters and full-service offering make it a strong all-round choice for growing businesses.

    Legal 500 Tier 4 Glasgow headquarters SMEs Healthcare and retail Full-service firm

Commercial Property solicitors Glasgow: frequently asked questions

What is LBTT on a commercial property purchase in Scotland?

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) replaces Stamp Duty Land Tax in Scotland and is paid to Revenue Scotland. For non-residential purchases, the rates are 0% on the first £150,000, 1% on the portion up to £250,000 and 5% on anything above £250,000. Your solicitor will normally prepare and submit the LBTT return.

Does LBTT apply to commercial leases?

Yes. LBTT is charged on the net present value of the rent over the lease term, at 0% up to £150,000, 1% between £150,000 and £2 million, and 2% above £2 million. Tenants of leases that require an LBTT return must usually submit further returns every three years and when the lease ends, so keep this in mind when budgeting.

What are missives?

Missives are the formal letters exchanged between the buyer's and seller's solicitors that together form the binding contract in a Scottish property transaction. Once missives are concluded, both parties are committed, so all key terms, conditions and due diligence points should be agreed before that point.

What should I check before signing a commercial lease?

Key points include the length of the lease and any break options, rent review mechanisms, who is responsible for repairs (many Scottish leases are full repairing and insuring), service charges, restrictions on use, assignation and sub-letting rights, and your liability for dilapidations at the end. A schedule of condition recorded at the start can limit what you have to repair later.

What happens when a commercial lease in Scotland reaches its end date?

Scottish commercial leases do not simply end on their expiry date. Unless the correct notice is given, they continue automatically under the principle known as tacit relocation, now set out in the Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Act 2022. Both landlords and tenants should diarise notice deadlines well in advance and take advice on the correct form of notice.

What is irritancy?

Irritancy is a Scottish landlord's right to terminate a lease early because the tenant has breached it, for example by failing to pay rent. For unpaid rent, the landlord must first serve a warning notice giving the tenant at least 14 days to pay. Irritancy can be a severe remedy for tenants, so act immediately if you receive such a notice.

Do I need a commercial property solicitor to buy business premises?

Yes. Scottish property transactions require a solicitor to conclude missives, examine title, deal with registration in the Land Register and handle LBTT. A commercial property specialist will also check planning, environmental and access issues, and negotiate protections that a general practitioner might miss.

How much does a commercial property solicitor cost?

Fees depend on the value and complexity of the deal. Straightforward lease reviews or small premises purchases are often quoted as a fixed fee, while larger investment or development transactions are usually charged on time spent. Ask for a written estimate covering fees, outlays such as registration dues, and VAT.

How do I choose the best commercial property solicitor in Glasgow?

Match the firm to the size of your deal. For major investment, development or finance transactions, the Legal 500 Tier 1 firms (Brodies, Burness Paull and Shepherd and Wedderburn) lead the market. For owner-managed businesses buying or leasing premises, firms such as Lindsays, BTO and Anderson Strathern combine ranked expertise with a more personal service.

Conclusion: choosing your Glasgow commercial property solicitor

For the largest investment, development and finance deals, Brodies, Burness Paull and Shepherd and Wedderburn are the three Legal 500 Tier 1 firms, each with a Glasgow office. Morton Fraser MacRoberts is strong for retail, leisure and logistics clients. For owner-managed businesses, Lindsays (Chambers Band 1 for deals up to £10 million) and BTO Solicitors (Band 2) stand out, Anderson Strathern is a good fit for businesses negotiating leases, and Harper Macleod offers a Glasgow-headquartered, full-service team for growing businesses. Take advice before you sign heads of terms, not after.

Plain-English guides

Guide

How Much LBTT Will I Pay on a Commercial Property or Lease in Scotland?

Buying or leasing business premises?

The key terms are often agreed at heads of terms stage. Instruct a commercial property solicitor before you commit, not after.

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