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Mark McMurray

Partner

Portrait ofMark McMurray

Mark McMurray

Partner

Contact
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
1 West Regent Street
Glasgow
G2 1AP
United Kingdom
Languages English

Mark McMurray is a Planning partner experienced in advising on major development and infrastructure projects. Mark advises developers, landowners, investors and public sector bodies on the delivery of the wide range of consents and permissions required for major projects.

Major projects can often involve inquiries and hearings and Mark has been involved in some of Scotland’s highest profile and most contentious inquiries, as instructing solicitor and conducting advocacy. He has also been involved in a number of complex judicial reviews and statutory appeals in the Court of Session. Mark is therefore experienced on the contentious and non-contentious elements of major projects.

He is also regularly called upon to provide specialist advice on roads law issues for roads and traffic authorities as well as developers and landowners.

Mark has particular expertise in the area of compulsory purchase and compensation having advised on the use of compulsory purchase powers to deliver land required for major regeneration, transport and energy projects. He has also advised a number of parties affected by the use of compulsory purchase powers.

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"He's pragmatic and easy to deal with."

Chambers, 2024

"Mark is helpful, knowledgeable and professional, as well as being responsive to requests for assistance."

Chambers, 2023

"He is able to translate statutory process and legal implications associated with complex matters into an easy to digest summary to inform decisions."

Chambers, 2023

"The high standards set by Ann Faulds (now retired from the practice) and Trudi Craggs (now a DPEA reporter) are ably carried on by Mark McMurray and his team."

Legal 500, 2023

"A 'very knowledgeable lawyer with a level head and an excellent communication style'."

Chambers

“Mark McMurray has a deep knowledge and strong track record of handling sophisticated infrastructure and commercial development work”.

Chambers

"He provides first-class, well-researched advice and goes out of his way to ensure clients are kept well informed on matters”.

Chambers

"He's pragmatic and easy to deal with."

Chambers, 2024

"Mark is helpful, knowledgeable and professional, as well as being responsive to requests for assistance."

Chambers, 2023

"He is able to translate statutory process and legal implications associated with complex matters into an easy to digest summary to inform decisions."

Chambers, 2023

"The high standards set by Ann Faulds (now retired from the practice) and Trudi Craggs (now a DPEA reporter) are ably carried on by Mark McMurray and his team."

Legal 500, 2023

"A 'very knowledgeable lawyer with a level head and an excellent communication style'."

Chambers

“Mark McMurray has a deep knowledge and strong track record of handling sophisticated infrastructure and commercial development work”.

Chambers

"He provides first-class, well-researched advice and goes out of his way to ensure clients are kept well informed on matters”.

Chambers

Relevant experience

  • Nuveen Real Estate on compulsory purchase, planning and roads matters for the GBP 1bn Edinburgh St James redevelopment.
  • Calton Hill Hotel LP on the planning appeals for the proposed luxury hotel development at the former Royal High School in Edinburgh, one of Scotland’s most important listed buildings, including acting as instructing solicitor at the 51/2 week inquiry.
  • Renfrewshire Council on the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside and Glasgow Airport Investment Area projects under the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
  • City of Edinburgh Council on the exercise of various powers under Private Acts for the Edinburgh Tram extension project.
  • Inch Cape Offshore Limited on consenting the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm and transmission works, including defending a Judicial Review challenge by RSPB.
  • Stirling Council on a number of inquiries and hearings, including the inquiry into the proposed tennis and golf centre with housing at Park of Keir.
  • Hargreaves on the new town development at Blindwells, East Lothian.
  • City of Edinburgh Council on various roads matters including the move to map-based traffic regulation orders and the proposed City Centre West to East Link cycling infrastructure project.
  • Trump International on their golf resort developments in Scotland.
  • National Grid on compulsory purchase orders required for the GBP 1bn Western Link electricity transmission infrastructure upgrade.
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Memberships & Roles

  • Member, Law Society of Scotland Planning Law Subcommittee
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Education

  • 2009 – Dip.LP, Glasgow Graduate School of Law, Glasgow
  • 2008 – LLB (Hons), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 
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Expertise

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