Richard Lockhart was previously general counsel of national infrastructure centre of expertise, Scottish Futures Trust.

He was also legal and commercial lead in its net zero team and brings significant expertise advising on the interface between the public and private sectors in complex commercial contracts - particularly in the area of originating, developing and delivering infrastructure models, programmes and projects.  

His appointment underlines the firm’s focus on the strategic growth of its public law & regulatory division. Launched in 2020, the practice now comprises four partners.

The team regularly represents national governments and regulatory bodies as well as many major Scottish, UK and international businesses on both contentious and non-contentious public law and regulatory matters.

Burness Paull chair Peter Lawson said: “The United Kingdom and Scotland have been through a period of significant constitutional development in recent years.

“There will continue to be a need for unprecedented government and state intervention in industry and private business as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic for some time; and many areas of law are under major review including procurement, subsidy control and GDPR.

“We need to ensure we have the best legal talent in place to support clients through business-critical public law issues in the face of major political, economic and environmental change.

“Richard’s deep experience and expertise in advising decision-makers across key sectors including energy and environment; health; education; urban regeneration and transport perfectly complements the existing skills within the Burness Paull Public Law & Regulatory division and the wider firm.

“In addition, the combination of talent and experience we have of advising on devolution and the Scottish independence and Brexit referendums allows us to offer a unique skillset to clients requiring legal and strategic advice on changes in legislation and policies.”