Public Sector

We offer the advantage of close collaboration—your expert colleague just down the corridor—ensuring responsive, value-added support. As a true one-stop shop, our team brings deep expertise across a wide variety of work types, making us the largest and most versatile team in the field. Our commercial mindset allows us to deliver pragmatic, business-driven solutions.

The many complexities in our case were expertly handled by the team. They were extremely diligent in their response to us and the quality of the service was superb.

Chambers & Partners

Who We Work With

The standout firm in Scotland

As one of Scotland’s largest and most experienced public sector legal teams, we understand the complex and evolving needs of government, local authorities, and public bodies.

With over 20 years of experience advising UK Government departments—including the Ministry of Defence—and serving the Scottish Government’s Legal Directorate since 2004, our public sector team understands the unique needs of public sector clients. We deliver expert, cost-conscious advice tailored to your evolving priorities.

Partners are personally involved, solution-focused and skilled at representing clients. They demonstrate excellent commerciality and deliver excellent outcomes in complex transactions.

Chambers & Partners

The team were able to meet all the timescales of a very challenging deadline and able to manage this around the client's schedule.

Chambers & Partners

The many complexities in our case were expertly handled by the team. They were extremely diligent in their response to us and the quality of the service was superb.

Chambers & Partners

Bodies we work with

MFMac partners with government, local councils, and public bodies across Scotland, providing trusted legal advice on infrastructure, procurement, governance, and employment. 

  • Government

    MFMac’s procurement team, led by accredited specialist Duncan Osler, is one of Scotland’s most experienced in public procurement law. They advise across strategy, compliance, court action, and reform—including the Procurement Act 2023, live from February 2025. For disputes, Julie Hamilton offers standout expertise in procurement litigation.

    Trusted by central government, local authorities, NHS Boards, NDPBs, and regulators, the team has supported some of Scotland’s most complex, high-value procurements in infrastructure, ICT, and energy.

  • Local Government

    As one of Scotland’s largest public sector legal teams, we understand what matters most to public sector leaders: trusted advice, value for money, and legal solutions that support the delivery of public services. We are proud to be recognised as one of the top public sector firms in Scotland, with a reputation for local government clients navigate high-value, high-stakes matters while safeguarding the public purse.
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  • Public Bodies

    We are trusted by over 100 public bodies and local authorities across Scotland, advising on everything from infrastructure and procurement to employment, governance, and sensitive regulatory matters. Our work with clients such as the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, and NHS Boards reflects our ability to support high-value, high-impact projects with confidence
CSR Spotlight

Because community matters

We are committed to caring for and supporting the communities in which we live and work. For us, social responsibility is a vital component of our culture.

 

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Legal capabilities

MFMac delivers legal expertise to the public sector, advising on procurement, planning, real estate, and litigation with an integrated, solutions-focused approach.

  • Public Procurement

    MFMac’s procurement team, led by accredited specialist Duncan Osler, is among Scotland’s most respected in public procurement law. They advise across the full legal spectrum—from strategy to litigation—for clients including government, NHS Boards, and regulators. Their work spans some of Scotland’s most complex, high-value procurements in infrastructure, ICT, and energy.

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  • Planning

    MFMac delivers end-to-end legal support across the planning and consenting lifecycle, with a focus on national energy and infrastructure developments.

    Our experts guide clients through complex frameworks—advising on environmental assessments, community consultation, and securing consents for major projects in renewables, housing, transport, and health.

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  • Subsidy control

    We advise public and private sector clients on the UK’s evolving subsidy control regime—formerly state aid—and its overlap with competition and antitrust law.

    From designing compliant funding measures to navigating block exemptions, approved schemes, or no-aid routes, we help ensure your strategy stands up to scrutiny. Where clearance is needed, we’re ready to support.

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  • Litigation

    MFMac delivers litigation expertise tailored to the public sector, combining legal precision with a deep understanding of regulatory, reputational, and operational pressures.

    Our team supports clients navigating disputes under public scrutiny, offering risk-aware, jargon-free advice that protects reputation and enables confident decision-making.

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Public Sector insight
Public Sector

The Scottish Budget and public service delivery 2025

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.

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Public Sector

What the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 means for the Public Sector

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 (the "Act") places a number of responsibilities on Scottish public bodies to take proactive steps to ensure the protection of children’s rights.

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Public Sector

Procurement Act 2023 – What do Devolved Scottish Authorities need to know when using UK Frameworks?

The UK Government’s Post-Brexit public procurement reforms will take effect on 28 October 2024 when the Procurement Act 2023 (the “Act”) is to go live.

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Brace yourself…for our brief procurement law case update
Public Sector

Brace yourself…for our brief procurement law case update

A recent English procurement case heard by the Court of Appeal examined circumstances in which damages might not be available to a bidder in circumstances where, but for error of the contracting authority, the challenging bidder would have won the contract.

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Our Public Sector experts

Scotland’s go-to public sector team—delivering clarity, strategy, and results where it matters most.

  • Duncan Osler

    Team Member Role

    Duncan advises public bodies on procurement, compliance, governance, subsidy control, delivery models, outsourcing, and best value obligations with clarity.

  • Amy Entwistle

    Team Member Role

    Amy leads MFMac’s team advising UK and Scottish Government bodies on non-contentious property matters across departments, agencies, and authorities.

  • Rory Alexander

    Rory specialises in planning law across both public and private sectors, with a strong track record in housing and regeneration.

  • Suzanne Hardie

    Suzanne advises on public/private projects, joint ventures, RSLs, and partnerships—structuring complex developments with a focus on collaboration and compliance.

  • Douglas Milne

    Douglas advises public and commercial clients on complex planning and Proceeds of Crime matters, helping navigate regulatory risk and enforcement.

  • Jenny Dickson

    Jenny specialises in personal injury, health and safety, and inquiries—defending liability and motor claims for a range of public bodies.

  • Robin Fallas

    Robin advises on legislation, procurement, subsidy control, governance, contracts, and disputes—guiding clients through complex public sector frameworks confidently.

  • Gwen Murphy

    Gwen advises on procurement compliance across health, social care, education, and environment—guiding public bodies through complex processes with clarity.

Our accreditations

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Cross Border and International Services

Delivering trusted legal advice across the Public Sector

At MFMac, we understand how the public sector operates—particularly when it comes to managing trade and attracting investment into Scotland. Our team advises on strategic initiatives that support economic development, from natural capital investment frameworks and infrastructure funding to public-private partnerships and subsidy control. We work closely with government bodies and agencies to ensure legal and regulatory alignment, helping unlock opportunities that deliver long-term value for Scotland’s communities and economy.

Make an Enquiry

From our offices we serve the whole of Scotland, as well as clients around the world with interests in Scotland. Please complete the form below, and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

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