Law firm Brodies has added four solicitors specialising in shipping and transport to its team to meet increasing demand for its services in the sectors.
Brodies said its recent work had included advising on the funding for vessels with a combined value of more than ÂŁ100 million for clients based in Scotland.
The company has also been involved in a number of maritime incidents involving cargo, dredging, fishing boats and ferries and added that its work with ports, including Stornoway and Lerwick, had also increased.
Among the new appointments is Maggie Nicoll, who has joined the firm’s Aberdeen office and specialises in contract disputes and personal injury cases in the offshore and fishing industries.
The others are based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Duncan MacLean, shipping partner at Brodies, said: “Since the end of last year, we’ve seen an increase in demand for legal advice in shipping and transport.
“Transactional activity is being driven by clients who are getting on with their own agendas and investing in newbuilds, some of which will operate from the north-east – Fraserburgh, Orkney and Shetland – while others will be deployed in coastal and European trade.
“On the regulatory and litigation side, we’re seeing demand both for immediate response services and advice, and in relation to the proceedings and disputes that follow.”