James & George Collie

Business Details

Your Trusted Legal Partner in Aberdeen & Stonehaven

James & George Collie is a full-service law firm with over 180 years of experience serving clients in the North-East of Scotland. Established in 1841, we combine traditional values with a progressive approach, offering expertise in property, business, personal, and court services. Our team of accredited specialists, including Anthony J Dawson (liquor licensing), Susan Waters and Louise Armstrong (collaborative family law), and Forbes F McLennan TEP (trust and estate planning), delivers clear, straightforward advice tailored to client needs.

We prioritise building long-term relationships, ensuring accessibility to partners and maintaining a client-focused ethos. With offices in Aberdeen and Stonehaven, our deep local knowledge and commitment to innovation have earned us generations of trust and a reputation for dependability.

Services

Property Law Family Law Business Law Court Litigation Estate Planning

Highlights and features

We offer over 180 years of legal expertise in Scottish law.
Our team includes accredited specialists in liquor licensing and trust planning.
Direct access to partners for complex transaction discussions.
Clear, jargon-free advice delivered in plain English.
Deep local knowledge of Aberdeen and North-East Scotland's legal landscape.

Associations and certifications

The Law Society of Scotland
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)

What people say

Fantastic from start to finish Made things easy Excellent service Pragmatic advice First-class service

Website

Update Listing

Services

Property Law

Our property solicitors handle residential and commercial transactions across Scotland, including sales, purchases, leases, and relocations. We coordinate Home Reports, manage missives, and ensure smooth completions. With Aberdeen Solicitors' Property Centre membership, we maximise property exposure. Our team provides clear fee structures and step-by-step guidance from valuation to settlement.

Family Law

We specialise in Scottish family law matters including divorce, financial settlements, child custody, and pre-nuptial agreements. Accredited collaborative lawyers facilitate amicable resolutions where possible. Our team handles complex cases involving cross-border issues or high-value assets, always prioritising client confidentiality and emotional sensitivity throughout the legal process.

Business Law

We advise businesses on formations, acquisitions, contracts, and compliance. Our services include shareholder agreements, commercial dispute resolution, and licensing. With sector-specific expertise, we support startups and established companies through growth strategies, secured lending, and corporate governance, combining technical knowledge with practical commercial understanding.

Court Litigation

Our litigation team handles commercial disputes, debt recovery, and personal injury claims. We offer strategic advice on negotiation, mediation, or court representation. With experience in property, contractual, and construction disputes, we focus on achieving cost-effective outcomes while maintaining client relationships through transparent communication and proactive case management.

Estate Planning

We provide comprehensive estate planning including wills, trusts, and executry services. Accredited by STEP, our specialists ensure inheritance tax efficiency and asset protection. We guide executors through probate processes and offer Powers of Attorney solutions, combining legal expertise with compassionate support for personal and family matters.

People

Anthony J Dawson

Partner

Specialist in liquor licensing law accredited by The Law Society of Scotland. Provides expert guidance on licensing applications, compliance, and dispute resolution for hospitality businesses across Scotland.

Susan Waters

Partner

Collaborative family law practitioner with extensive experience in divorce settlements, child custody matters, and complex financial arrangements. Focuses on non-confrontational resolution methods to protect client interests.

Louise Armstrong

Partner

Specialises in family law with collaborative practice training. Assists clients with separation agreements, adoption processes, and pre-nuptial arrangements while maintaining a client-centred approach.

Forbes F McLennan

Partner

STEP-accredited expert in trust and estate planning. Advises on wills, inheritance tax mitigation, and executry administration, combining technical proficiency with practical solutions for intergenerational wealth transfer.

Duncan Love

Head of Litigation

Experienced litigator handling commercial disputes, debt recovery, and personal injury claims. Focuses on strategic case management to achieve favourable outcomes through negotiation or court representation.

Questions

How do I get a divorce in Scotland?

You must prove your marriage has irretrievably broken down via separation (1 year with consent, 2 without), adultery, or unreasonable behaviour. We guide you through the simplified or ordinary procedure.

What is a Home Report in Scotland?

A Home Report includes a Property Questionnaire, Energy Performance Certificate, and Condition Report with valuation, required before marketing your property for sale.

How does the property sale process work?

We handle valuation, marketing, closing dates, missives, and completion. Our estate agency division in Aberdeen ensures professional presentation and negotiation.

What business legal services do you offer?

We provide commercial contracts, corporate transactions, regulatory compliance, data protection, and dispute resolution tailored to Scottish businesses.

Can you assist with estate planning?

Yes, our STEP-accredited specialists offer wills, trusts, executry services, and inheritance tax planning to secure your family's future.

Do you handle court litigation cases?

Our experienced litigators manage property disputes, debt recovery, personal injury, and commercial disputes with a focus on strategic, client-driven outcomes.

Reviews (6)

Write a Review

Stevo P.

Nov 20, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
The girls in the property rental team in Stonehaven offer a first class professional yet friendly service. Highly recommend.

Murray Jamieson

Nov 18, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Excellent service from start to finish with the buying and selling process. Friendly, prompt and customer focused. Highly recommended.

Anne Wilcox

Nov 18, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Fantastic service.The team work closely and well together so that it felt as though we were in control. Excellent feedback following viewings. Thoroughly recommend the Service. Couldn't have been better

Callum McCruden

Nov 17, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
James and George Collie, specifically Brian and Karla, provided a stress-free conveyancing service as a part of my move. Throughout they were on hand to help and make the process as easy and as quick as possible with minimal hassle.

Tigger MacGregor

Nov 07, 2021 Report

I highly recommend Collies for legal work across the board. I was first introduced to the firm when Brian Sutton joined as a partner. I had already been impressed by Brian's straight-forward approach and very high professionalism. Since then, I have dealt with various Collies departments and each time have been impressed by their top quality customer care, their diligence and their honesty - if they're not the right people for the job, they will not hesitate to refer. All part of their excellent customer-facing approach. They may not be the cheapest firm "on paper" but the quality and reliability

Uche Obieme

Aug 20, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
I found J&G's service very helpful and cost effective compared to others. Very professional on all front, found solutions to all hindrances, even on non standard cases such as mine. I'll use them again if I have the chance to do so.