Food & drink

Scotland’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture sectors are renowned for quality produce and Harper Macleod is a leader in providing legal services in the Rural Economy.

Our office locations throughout Scotland bring us closer to our clients helping us to understand their needs in the context of local conditions.

We regularly advise clients in this sector whether they are producing grain or farming livestock, fish and seafood farming or putting to sea with the pelagic fleet.

Our core legal services include:

Corporate | M&A
EU Regulatory & Procurement
Health and Safety
Employment
Dispute Resolution

As produce leaves the farms and fishermen bound for manufacturing and then distribution, wholesalers and merchants play a crucial role in the supply chain. Pressures on pricing, volume and quality make this a challenging sector to operate in.

Services to this sector include:

Corporate | M&A
Employment
Dispute Resolution

We advised on the employee buyout of Inverness-based fresh produce provider Swansons Food Wholesalers.

Scotland’s Distilling and Brewing industries are respected worldwide and Harper Macleod has wide ranging experience in supporting clients in these key industries.

We have acted for globally recognised brands to start-ups. From starting up a business, to producing and distributing; to protecting and expanding your brand; expansion through finding investment and increasing your markets, we have the knowledge and experience in advising businesses of all sizes across the sector, at all stages.

We are proud of not only having experience in supporting the producers at the centre of these sectors but also the businesses that are involved in the processes in creating their unique products and getting them into the casks, bottles and beyond.

The industry is renowned for having high standards and we endeavour to match these when supporting you to navigate the ever-changing landscape of Regulation and Compliance. We are on the ground and passionate about supporting these industries, which are so important to Scotland.

Our core services include:

Licensing
Financing and Investment
Regulatory and standards
Trade agreements and Cross-border transactions
Labelling and Intellectual Property
Trademarks and brands
Advertising and Marketing regulation
Construction and manufacturing 
Liability and product recalls

Turning raw materials into the Food and Drink we consume, Scotland’s manufacturers, brewers and distillers are a diverse range of businesses from internationally recognised brands to artisans operating from tiny premises in rural locations.

Their legal challenges are equally broad in range. Whether protecting Intellectual Property, committing capital to manufacturing equipment, expanding a distribution network or falling out with it, Harper Macleod has the legal expertise to help.

From navigating the Groceries Supply Code of Practice to trademark protection, international brand licensing, labelling, distribution, contract manufacturing and customer own brand agreements, we have the breadth and depth of experience to be a trusted legal partner for all Food & Drink manufacturers.

Core services to this sector include:

Corporate | M&A
Franchising
Intellectual Property and Technology
EU Regulatory & Procurement
Health and Safety
Employment
Dispute Resolution
Manufacturing

The Foodservice sector is a huge but often invisible link in the supply chain, providing crucial supplies to our hospitality businesses. Not only does the Foodservice industry have to deal with the logistics of supplying to every corner of the globe, it relies heavily on manufacturers to produce on time and at the right volume and quality for distribution.

Our core services for Foodservice businesses include:

Corporate | M&A
Franchising
EU Regulatory & Procurement
Employment
Dispute Resolution

The retail sector has the front line challenge of dealing with consumers and their preferences as well as having to rely on manufacturers or their intermediaries for supply. Competition in retail has become fierce in recent times as the traditional UK supermarket Multiples have had market share taken from them by the European model discounters.

All the while, convenience outlets have also thrived but have been under attack from the Multiples establishing their own convenience offering. The added pressure of maintaining real estate and, increasingly, an online presence makes Food & Drink retail a challenging environment.

Many retailers are also either franchisors or operate under franchise bringing an additional layer of complexity to their businesses.

Harper Macleod’s core services to retailers include:

Business Law and Contracts
Franchising
EU Regulatory & Procurement
Licensing
Employment
Dispute Resolution

Harper Macleod has extensive experience in this sector, in particular in helping licensed businesses and franchisees.

Core services for hospitality businesses include:

Corporate | M&A
EU Regulatory & Procurement
Licensing
Employment
Dispute Resolution

From time to time, all businesses will need access to transactional services. Whether you are moving premises, buying or selling a business or assets or want to explore the options open to you for succession planning,

Harper Macleod has the expertise to help. Our Corporate | M&A and Commercial Property Teams are here to guide you through the transaction process. We are also leaders in helping start-up businesses. If you are in the Food & Drink sector, have an innovative idea or are developing technology and are looking to launch your business or seek investment our Entrepreneurs, Growth and Investment and Intellectual Property and Technology Teams can help you.

Our experts have been assessing the impact on the UK of leaving the EU Single Market and Customs Union following Brexit, and in particular the effect the TCA will have on cross border trade. UK Food & Drink businesses are affected whether or not they export to the EU.

Many EU regulatory bodies are no longer recognised in the UK and EU laws that have not been incorporated into UK law will cease to apply.

Harper Macleod has brought together analysis from across its teams to produce guidance on a wide range of topics including Rules of Origin, Labelling, Fishing, Commercial Contracts and terms of International Trade at its dedicated Brexit and International Trade page.