Leading North-east law firm Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace LLP has welcomed Carolyn Richards as a Partner, continuing its investment in the housebuilding team within the firm’s renowned Commercial Property department.
RCCW’s housebuilding team completed almost 15% of Scotland’s private new build sales last year, reflecting the firm’s position as a trusted partner for its portfolio of national and local house builders.
Carolyn has almost 30 years’ experience in the new homes sector and has a deep understanding of the issues faced by house builders. She joins RCCW as Partner to help lead a team who support builders in both setting up development sites and the onward sales of individual new build properties. An Aberdonian educated at St. Margaret’s School for Girls and the University of Aberdeen, Carolyn has practiced exclusively in the housebuilding sector in senior positions with other prominent Aberdeen firms since graduating as a lawyer, and is known for her practical and calm approach and problem solving abilities.
Head of Department, Heather Stephen said ”We are delighted that Carolyn is joining our team just as the new build market is starting to return to pre-pandemic levels of activity. Her unrivalled experience in this sector will help us to continue to support our local and national clients with the first class service for which we are known.”
Managing Partner Callum McDonald added, “Prior to taking up my current role, I worked in the housebuilding sector and I have known and admired Carolyn for many years. She is a very experienced Commercial Property lawyer and a fantastic addition to our team. She will allow us to continue to deliver excellent client service as the house building sector rises to the challenge of meeting the demand for new build housing, as it continues to bounce back from the debilitating effects of the Covid pandemic.”
Despite the challenges of CV19 and Brexit, and in particular the increasing costs of materials and labour shortages - the new build residential property sector is showing strong performance as it emerges from the pandemic. Recent data from NHBC’s annual registration statistics (December 2021) show a 29% year-on year increase in Scotland’s new build completions, with volumes increasing from 8,584 in December 2020 to 11,063 in December 2021. RCCW’s total plot sales showed a 44% increase across the same period, from 1141 in December 2020 to 1653 in December 2021 accounting for 15% of the Scottish new build sector.
RCCW is a full-service law firm providing estate agency and financial services across Aberdeen, Banchory, Ellon, Inverurie and Stonehaven offices. The firm has 16 partners and 119 staff across its branch network.