Hotel & Hospitality Lawyers Scotland

Ranked UK wide in the Chambers legal directory for our specialist sector knowledge our lawyers work with hotel owners, operators, developers, lenders, and investors throughout the world. We provide clear, strategic legal advice that protects assets, drives growth, and reduces risk. As trusted hotels lawyers, we combine sector expertise with legal insight to support your business at every stage.

Industry experience and technical expertise

The hospitality sector is constantly shaped by consumer expectations, technology, regulation, and sustainability demands. Our team stays ahead of these trends to help you navigate change and stay competitive.

We understand the day-to-day challenges facing hospitality businesses –from managing guest experience and staffing to supply chains, franchising, and planning issues. Our lawyers provide solutions that balance risk and reward, ensuring your legal position supports your commercial strategy.

We also have deep experience in branded residences and mixed-use developments –projects where hospitality meets real estate. These developments require coordinated legal advice across multiple disciplines, and our team has the experience to guide you through each phase.

Comprehensive legal services for hospitality

We offer a full suite of legal services tailored to the needs of hotels and hospitality businesses. Our lawyers advise on all aspects of investment, development, operation, and protection.

Transactions and development
Contract negotiation and management for hotels
Regulatory compliance and risk mitigation
Intellectual property protection for hospitality brands
Dispute resolution and operational support

Transactions and development

We regularly act on hotel acquisitions, disposals, financings, and development projects. Our team advises on land-use planning, project structuring, and joint ventures, with particular strength in branded residential and mixed-use schemes. We support all parties in the market, from owners and operators to lenders and investors.

Contract negotiation and management for hotels

We draft and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including hotel management contracts, franchise deals, supply agreements, and licensing arrangements. Our priority is to make sure your contracts are clear, enforceable and commercially sound.

Regulatory compliance and risk mitigation

We help you navigate complex legal requirements –covering health and safety, planning, employment, licensing, and data protection. Our lawyers support you in building strong compliance practices that reduce risk and protect your business.

Intellectual property protection for hospitality brands

Your brand is one of your most valuable assets. We help protect it through trade mark registration, IP enforcement, and advice on brand licensing and digital assets. Whether you’re expanding into new markets or facing infringement, we help secure your competitive edge.

Dispute resolution and operational support

We provide commercial and pragmatic advice on operational matters, including employment issues, customer disputes, contract claims, and crisis management. Our focus is on resolving issues quickly and cost-effectively, with minimal disruption to your operations.

Choosing Brodies hotel lawyers

Clients choose Brodies for more than just legal expertise–they choose us for our deep knowledge of the hotel and hospitality market.

We are the only Scottish headquartered firm ranked in the Chambers UK Rankings for our hotel work, with Colin Morrison and Bob Asher both ranking nationally for their expertise.

The global nature of our practice is illustrated by our lawyers having advised on hotel transactions in more than 75 countries. We understand the legal, commercial, and cultural nuances of working across international markets.

Whether advising on a multi-jurisdictional deal or a time-sensitive agreement, we focus on practical outcomes. We are used to working under pressure, with complex timelines and diverse stakeholder groups. Our role is to get your deal over the line – efficiently and effectively.

Who we work with

Our expert hotel lawyers regularly act for owners, operators and lenders in transactions including acquisitions and disposals, management and franchise agreements, land-use and planning, financings, and operational matters and disputes. We have particularly strong experience with branded residential and other mixed-use schemes.

Our clients include some of the most recognisable names in hospitality, as well as private equity firms and institutional investors active in the sector. These include:

Accor Hotels;
Kempinski Hotels & Resorts;
sbe Entertainment Group;
ClubMed SA;
Virgin Hotels;
AJ Capital;
EV Leisure Fund;
Ruby Hotels;
Dalata Hotels; and
Numerous International hotel investors and funds

Recognised market leadership

Brodies is widely recognised as a leading legal adviser in the hotels and hospitality sector.

We’ve delivered successful outcomes in major transactions, dispute resolution, and compliance matters. Our lawyers are known for their commercial focus, industry knowledge, and collaborative approach.

Whether we’re helping clients adapt to changing regulations, build ESG-focused strategies, or embrace digital innovation, we bring legal insight that’s forward-thinking and results-driven.

We are proud to help our clients shape the future of hospitality with clarity, confidence and creativity.

Get in contact with our hotels and hospitality lawyers

If you are looking for experienced hotels or hospitality lawyers who understand the pressures and possibilities of your industry, we are here to help.

Whether it is a strategic acquisition, a branding challenge, or an operational issue, contact our team to find out how Brodies can support your next move.

Get in contact with our hotels and hospitality lawyers

FAQs

What services do hotels and hospitality lawyers provide?

Our specialist lawyers provide comprehensive legal coverage spanning trading business acquisition and disposals, deal finance, regulatory compliance, negotiation of management and franchise agreements. We also provide operational contracts, negotiation of supply contracts, intellectual property advice and protection, as well as tax, employment and dispute resolution support.
How can hospitality lawyers assist with compliance issues?

Our hotel team help clients to manage compliance with health and safety regulations, employment law, licensing requirements, data protection, and other industry-specific legal obligations to reduce risk.
What legal challenges do hotels typically face?

Hotels face a range of legal challenges such as contract disputes, evolving regulatory requirements, employment issues, property and planning matters, brand protection, and operational risks.
When should a hotel seek legal advice?

Hotels should consult hospitality lawyers early when negotiating contracts, planning new developments, managing regulatory changes, or addressing disputes to ensure effective legal protection.
What is the role of a lawyer in hotel management agreements?

Brodies hotel specialists review, negotiate, and draft hotel management agreements to safeguard commercial interests, clarify responsibilities, and minimise potential conflicts.

Hotels key highlights

Acting for a Hong Kong investor in the acquisition of the Fairmont St Andrews.
Acting for Accor Hotels in more than 125 management agreement negotiations in the Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, including such landmarks as the Clock Tower Raffles and Fairmont hotels in Makkah and the Raffles Royal Monceau in Paris.
Advising the Owner of London's Admiralty Arch in connection with management agreement negotiations with Waldorf Astoria during Admiralty Arch's transformation into a luxury hotel.
Representing our client in the negotiation of a joint venture with Sir Richard Branson to develop a safari lodge in Kenya, and in management agreement negotiations with Virgin Hotels.
Acting for Graduate Hotels in relation to their acquisition of the iconic Russacks Hotel in St Andrews and the Marine in North Berwick.

Their understanding of the pressure points and priorities and their perception of value in the deal ensured a professional, timely and well-balanced management of the process.

Chambers UK 2026

They are highly regarded for their handling of complex issues.

Chambers UK 2026

Brodies are distinguished by their significant experience in the hospitality industry, with a deep knowledge of industry players, customs and practice.

Chambers UK 2026

Brodies has a full-service practice based in Scotland that offers a wealth of experience advising domestic and international hotel owners, operators and developers. The team regularly handles hotel acquisitions, management agreements and portfolio restructuring. It is also sought out by clients to advise on leisure matters in the sport and food and beverage sectors.

Chambers UK 2026

The team provided solid, proactive negotiating positions and strategy.

Chambers UK 2024

The group has extensive know-how, many years of experience and they always try to achieve the best possible solution for their clients.

Chambers UK 2024