Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Girvan
Established as a modern private client law firm, we operate under the legacy of two long-standing Scottish practices: Smith & Valentine and McCormick & Nicholson. Our team of solicitors, paralegals, and specialists delivers personalized legal services to individuals and corporations across Galloway, Ayrshire, and beyond. With over a century of combined experience, we combine traditional values with cutting-edge technology to ensure efficient, high-quality representation. Our focus areas include property transactions, wills and trusts, family law, agricultural business, and charity services, all underpinned by a commitment to competitive pricing and client accessibility. Regulated by the Law Society of Scotland, we maintain rigorous professional standards while prioritizing individual client needs.Our multi-office presence in Girvan, Stranraer, and Newton Stewart ensures local market expertise paired with national capability. We emphasize transparent communication, offering direct access to legal professionals without intermediaries. Continuous investment in technological infrastructure streamlines processes for faster, more cost-effective outcomes. Client testimonials highlight our responsiveness, technical proficiency, and ability to simplify complex legal matters. This blend of heritage, innovation, and client-centric approach defines our position as a leading law firm in southwest Scotland.
Services
House Purchases
Wills & Trusts
Family Law
Agricultural Property
Charity Services
Commercial Leasing
Powers of Attorney
Guardianships
House Sales
Matrimonial Advice
Highlights and features
- We combine over 100 years of combined legal expertise with modern technology for efficient solutions
- Our personalized service ensures direct access to solicitors without intermediaries
- Regulated by the Law Society of Scotland for guaranteed professional standards
- Three strategically located offices serving Galloway, Ayrshire, and beyond
- Transparent fee structures with competitive pricing on all legal services
Associations and certifications
- Law Society of Scotland
Services
House Purchases
Our property experts guide clients through the complete house-buying process in Galloway and Ayrshire. We handle conveyancing, local authority searches, and contract negotiations with efficiency honed over decades of regional experience. Clients benefit from our market knowledge and streamlined digital processes that reduce transaction times while maintaining rigorous legal compliance.
Wills & Trusts
We provide comprehensive will preparation and trust establishment services tailored to individual asset protection needs. Our solicitors simplify complex succession planning while addressing tax implications and guardianship arrangements. Clients receive clear guidance on executry administration and trust management for both personal and commercial assets.
Agricultural Property
Specializing in rural property transactions, we handle agricultural land purchases and sales with expertise in forestry rights and farming tenancies. Our team understands the unique legal requirements of countryside estates and provides strategic advice on development permissions and environmental regulations affecting rural landowners.
Family Law
We advise on non-contentious family legal matters including cohabitation agreements, child custody arrangements, and separation settlements. Our approach prioritizes amicable resolutions while ensuring proper documentation of property transfers and financial provisions for dependents through tailored legal frameworks.
Charity Services
Acting for numerous established charities, we assist with incorporation, governance structures, and compliance matters. Our services include drafting charitable trust deeds, advising on tax exemptions, and supporting community groups through the charity registration process with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
People
Shirley C McNeill
Partner
Educated at Stranraer Academy and Strathclyde University, Shirley brings extensive local legal knowledge to her partnership role. With decades of experience in Scottish property and family law, she provides strategic leadership to the firm's conveyancing department while maintaining direct client involvement.
Craig S W Currie
Partner
A qualified solicitor with postgraduate legal practice qualifications from Glasgow University, Craig specializes in commercial property transactions. He oversees the firm's investment property portfolio work, bringing technical expertise to complex leasehold arrangements and corporate real estate matters.
Natalie Purdie
Solicitor
Girvan-born Natalie focuses on residential conveyancing and wills preparation. After graduating in 2021, she has developed particular expertise in first-time buyer transactions and probate matters, combining fresh perspective with the firm's traditional client care approach.
Daniel McGiffen
Solicitor
Daniel handles agricultural property transactions and commercial leasing cases. His legal training at Glasgow University complements practical experience in rural land law, providing clients with technically sound advice on farm succession planning and rural business property matters.
Jennifer Scott
Practice Manager
Overseeing operational management, Jennifer ensures service quality across all offices. With retail management training and legal sector experience, she implements efficient workflows that maintain the firm's high client satisfaction standards while managing multi-office coordination.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We focus on property transactions, wills and trusts, family law, agricultural business, and charity services across southwest Scotland.
How can I get an estimate of legal fees?
Contact any of our offices directly via phone or email to request a detailed fee estimate for your specific legal matter.
Do you handle commercial property matters?
Yes, our team provides specialist advice on commercial leases, investment property portfolios, and business-related real estate transactions.
Are you regulated by legal authorities?
We are fully regulated by the Law Society of Scotland, ensuring adherence to the highest professional legal standards.
Can you assist with rural property transactions?
With decades of experience, we specialise in agricultural property sales, forestry rights, and rural land legal matters.
How do you handle estate planning?
Our wills and trusts service includes comprehensive succession planning, asset protection strategies, and executry administration support tailored to individual circumstances.
