Simpson & Marwick de-merges from Clyde & Co

Scottish conveyancing and estate agency firm Simpson & Marwick plans to go it alone following a de-merger from global law firm Clyde & Co.

The 26-strong team of Simpson & Marwick will move into dedicated new offices and will continue to focus on the property markets in Edinburgh and East Lothian.

The firm, which traces its roots back to 1886, merged with and changed its name to Clyde & Co in 2015.

Since then the merged firm has focused on the growth of its core specialisms of dispute resolution, professional liability, insurance, commercial property, healthcare and employment law.

Clyde & Co will no longer include residential property as part of its offering in Scotland but its commercial real estate team in Scotland is unaffected by the move.

Simpson & Marwick will become part of the Aberdeins Group, with its founder, Rob Aberdein, joining as managing partner. 

Partner Richard Loudon, who will step up to chairman after 41 years with the firm, said: “We move with the full support of Clyde & Co as the services we offer are not part of their global core areas of expertise. The time is right, for both Clyde & Co and ourselves, to de-merge our residential property division.

“I am delighted that we can continue to protect the legacy of the Simpson & Marwick brand established in 1886.  We will take it forward into a new era, unlike so many well established and respected Edinburgh law firms that have disappeared in recent years.”

As well as Loudon’s continuing leadership, the firm will be spearheaded by the existing team of solicitor director Bobby Fife and by property directors, Louisa Raistrick, Katie Macdonald and Di Jennings, who offer combined legal and estate agency experience. Two lateral hires are tabled to be announced shortly.

Raistrick said: “We will be developing and using digital solutions which will significantly enhance our clients' experience when instructing legal or estate agency services. ‘Simpson & Marwick 2.0’ will blend the best of the last 134 years with technology and innovation that will see us prosper and grow over the next 134+ years.”

Clyde & Co Scotland managing partner Vikki Melville thanks the team for their service and added: “We are proud that the Simpson & Marwick name will live on.