Net zero specialist joins Burness Paull

Burness Paull has hired a specialist in public law and net zero policy development to its Public Law & Regulatory division.

Richard Lockhart was previously General Counsel of Scottish Futures Trust, and legal and commercial lead in its Net Zero team. He brings significant expertise advising on the interface between the public and private sectors in complex commercial contracts, particularly concerning infrastructure models, programmes and projects.

Launched in 2020, the Public Law & Regulatory division now comprises four partners and regularly represents governments, regulatory bodies and major businesses.

Burness Paull chair Peter Lawson commented: "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."