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Biggart Baillie
Solicitors |
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The Firm
Biggart Baillie is one of Britain's top commercial
law firms. It has offices in Glasgow and
1)__________
and works with clients throughout Scotland, the UK
and internationally.
Biggart Baillie aims to provide its clients with
high quality, forward-looking services in every area
of business.
Clients
Biggart Baillie has clients in most business
sectors. They include some of Britain's
best-known companies such as Marks & Spencer,
2)____________
and ScottishPower.
In the banking sector, Biggart Billie represents
Bank of Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland as well
as Clydesdale Bank. Many important public
sector bodies are also clients including a number of
local authorities and The
3)__________
Parliament.
Services
A
major commercial law firm must offer advice in a
range of key sectors. Biggart Baillie has
legal experts in Finance, Energy, Environment &
Planning,
4)______________
& Engineering, Retail, Technology, Transport
and Tourism along with other areas.
The
precise service required depends on the needs of
each client. This may involve litigation in the
courts to look after a client's interests, or
perhaps taking steps to protect a client's
intellectual property
5)_______
in
respect of a new idea or invention.
 People
Biggart Baillie is a major law firm and as such,
employs a
6)_____
of over 250 people. The reputation of the firm is
clearly dependent on their performance. An
effort is therefore made to ensure services are
delivered by friendly and approachable people who
understand commercial issues and pressures.
Steps
are taken to employ people of a high calibre and a
lot of time and money is spent on providing learning
and development opportunities for staff to encourage
teamwork and a clear understanding of the needs of
clients.
An
international Law Firm
Modern business is often conducted in a European or
even global context. In this respect, Biggart
Baillie benefits from its wide experience in cross
border transactions. The firm has
 experts
who can advise clients on the
7)______
aspects of international business deals, often worth
many millions of pounds.
History
In one
form or another, Biggart Baillie has been in
existence since the 19th Century. Thomas
Biggart set the ball rolling when he co-founded a
small legal practice in Glasgow in
8)______.
In 1902, profits were £2,654 which, at that time,
showed a healthy and growing business. Through two
World
9)_____
and a number of recessions, steady progress was made
and the the size of the firm grew steadily during
the 20th Century, due in part to mergers with other
law firms. In 1974 Biggart Baillie became the
first Scottish law firm with major offices in both
Glasgow and Edinburgh. Over the years, links have
been forged with other law firms in Europe and
10)________.
The start of the 21st Century brought continued
growth with Biggart Baillie twice winning an award
for 'Scottish Law Firm of the Year'. A bright
future seems assured.
Questions - (work on paper) :
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Match the following words with
the numbered blanks in the profile above:
rights 1894
Sainsbury's legal
Wars team
Scottish America
Edinburgh Construction
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In which two Scottish cities does
Biggart Baillie have offices?
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List five of Biggart Baillie's
major clients.
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Biggart Baillie has experts in
key sectors such as Finance and Biotechnology.
List three other sectors the firm can offer
expert advice on.
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How large is the team of people
at Biggart Baillie?
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What steps are taken to ensure
the staff at Biggart Baillie enhance the firm's
reputation?
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In what way does Biggart
Baillie's wide experience in cross-border
transactions help its current clients?
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Explain why Thomas Biggart is an
important figure in the history of Biggart
Baillie.
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What evidence was there in 1974
to suggest that Biggart Baillie was growing as a
company?
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Biggart Baillie may take steps to
protect a client's intellectual property rights
in respect of a new idea or invention. Can
you suggest what intellectual property rights
are and why they are necessary?
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Click on the Biggart Baillie
website below and write down six facts about the
company.
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