Dundas launches public law group with former Lord Advocate

Scots giant Dundas & Wilson has hired former Lord Advocate Colin Boyd QC to head a new public law group.

Boyd will seek to consolidate the firm's existing public law strength in the local government, planning, transport, procurement and employment teams.

Boyd said he will also seek to utilise his experience in planning and constitutional law gained at the Scottish bar.

He said: "I have had nearly 10 years in government and, after standing down as Lord Advocate in October last year, I took some time out to think about what I wanted to do and realised that I wanted to work in teams with people and have opportunities to work with clients.

"Having had a senior counsel's practice at the Scottish bar, it is difficult to build that again after 10 years elsewhere and, when the offer came from Dundas, I knew it is a great firm so leapt at the chance."

Boyd highlighted opportunities for the new group, including the agenda for shared services in local government in Scotland, transport and other infrastructure issues, the new Planning Act for Scotland, and the publication of the energy white paper later this month.

He will split his working time between the firm's offices in Scotland and London. He joins the firm as a consultant rather than as partner to allow him to attend the House of Lords.