Employment
UK Guide 2025 : Scotland
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 131 228 8000About
Provided by CMS
Please visit the CMS website for more details about the practice and our work:
Law firm specialised in Employment & Pensions - CMS in the UK
Chambers Review
CMS offers advice across a wide range of employment issues, with the firm particularly recognised for its work with large financial services clients. It also advises clients in the energy and industrial engineering sectors. Its international network allows the team to handle complex cross-border employment issues. CMS advises clients on employment litigation, regularly handling disputes in tribunals and in the higher courts, with particular activity on claims regarding whistle-blowing, discrimination and pay.
Work Highlights
- CMS acted for Repsol Resources UK in a statutory recognition procedure brought by UNITE before the Central Arbitration Committee.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"CMS's lawyers take a very solution-based approach while advising on any risks associated with decisions being made. They prioritise support when it is required."
"The CMS team are extremely helpful and patient when explaining UK laws, as well as being knowledgeable and very quick to respond."
"CMS make it a priority to understand us, meaning they are able to address our challenging matters in a pragmatic and responsive way."
"The team at CMS all provide a confident and factual position, with a little humour and lot of compassion. There are always knowledgeable contacts across all disciplines."
"CMS's lawyers take a very solution-based approach while advising on any risks associated with decisions being made. They prioritise support when it is required."
"The CMS team are extremely helpful and patient when explaining UK laws, as well as being knowledgeable and very quick to respond."
"CMS make it a priority to understand us, meaning they are able to address our challenging matters in a pragmatic and responsive way."
"The team at CMS all provide a confident and factual position, with a little humour and lot of compassion. There are always knowledgeable contacts across all disciplines."
Notable Practitioners
Alison Woods is co-head of CMS's UK employment team. She advises clients across a range of sectors including technology and media, while offering particular strength handling matters pertaining to the oil and gas industry. Woods acts on the employment aspects of transactions, such as the application of TUPE, with further experience of senior executive departures.
"Alison is a pleasure to work with. She has the right balance of pragmatism and professionalism."
"Alison is brilliant."
Finlay McKay acts for clients across a range of matters from the employment aspects of commercial transactions to claims alleging bullying, harassment and unfair dismissal. McKay also advises on senior executive departures including issues surrounding exit bonuses and restrictive covenants.
Gillian MacLellan represents clients in sensitive claims before the Employment Tribunal relating to discrimination, unfair dismissal and whistle-blowing. She also advises on redundancy measures and employee transfers.
"Gillian is an outstanding employment lawyer."
"Gillian is really strong in providing training and guidance in relation to tricky things."
Catriona Aldridge is a partner who works on both contentious and non-contentious matters in sectors including financial services, hotels and leisure, and construction.
Eric Gilligan advises on issues surrounding senior executive departures such as exit bonuses and restrictive covenants. He also assists with whistle-blowing matters.
"Eric is fantastic."
"Eric provides valuable support on complex, multi-jurisdictional employment matters."
Ranked Lawyers at
CMS
Scotland