By Ian McConnell

FAMILY law specialist David Coutts has joined Simpson & Marwick, which is now the main legal brand of sector veteran Rob Aberdein’s Moray Group umbrella professional services firm.

Simpson & Marwick noted Mr Coutts was joining as head of family law from legal firm Turcan Connell, where he was head of the Glasgow team.

It said 33-year-old Mr Coutts is a specialist in separation, divorce, cohabitation, and child-related matters, having exclusively practised family law since qualification. It added that Edinburgh-based Mr Coutts would “play a significant part in the firm’s expansion”.

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Simpson & Marwick chief executive Mr Aberdein said: “David is one of the best young family lawyers in Scotland, and a huge coup for us as we launch the new department.” Chairman Richard Loudon said: “This marks the next stage of...our wider strategy to offer a full range of private client services across Scotland.”

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Moray Group noted it had launched last September “to harness the latest technology to transform the customer experience of professional services in Scotland”. It added that, with a turnover in excess of £6m and 80 staff, further growth through acquisition was planned and it was eyeing property letting, accountancy and financial services, and other law firms.

Mr Coutts said: "Our family law offering must break down geographical boundaries by understanding the nuances of the different regions in Scotland. My aim is to build a team of affable, open-minded lawyers who embrace how services are delivered in non-legal sectors and use this to offer solution-based advice to our clients.

“I am sure if we can do that, we will create an exciting place to work and offer clients a first-class service they will happily recommend to others.”

Moray Group recently launched a new legal firm in Aberdeen, Esson & Aberdein. Since launching last year, Moray Group has also acquired volume conveyancing and debt recovery specialist Alston Law, based in Glasgow.