Chris McLauchlan

Based in Edinburgh, Womble Bond Dickinson provides clear legal advice and expert guidance to lenders and borrowers in Scotland and cross-border, enabling them to contribute effectively to decarbonisation efforts, whether they’re navigating regulatory changes, seeking legal guidance for acquisitions or joint ventures, or embarking on infrastructure projects.

With decades of experience advising clients on debt and equity documentation, together with expertise in energy, projects, real estate, construction and corporate, the firm provides a comprehensive service to clients looking to provide or access finance to fund a sustainable future for all.

Chris McLauchlan, head of Womble Bond Dickinson’s Scottish Banking Practice, said: “We want to play our part in delivering a sustainable future. Our Financing Decarbonisation campaign is designed to highlight the legal support that we offer to Scottish and cross-border clients investing in projects that will make a real contribution to decarbonisation.

“We are dedicated to helping lenders, investors, developers and operators navigate the complexities of financing and regulatory requirements, ensuring they can achieve their sustainability goals with confidence. As the move to net zero accelerates, we are proud to be supporting investment into projects that deliver positive environmental and social impact, which very much aligns with our own values as a law firm.”

Womble Bond Dickinson’s financial institutions practice in Scotland acts for a diverse range of clients and regularly advises on legal issues and documentation relating to finance, energy, real estate, development and corporate transactions.

The firm advised Triodos Bank UK in relation to the two term loan facilities to Oxygen Conservation to fund the purchase of properties from Buccleuch Estates for a nature-based conservation project (at the time believed to be the largest conservation-focused commercial debt package in the UK).

Oxygen Conservation aims to tackle climate change and the biodiversity crisis, and works to protect and improve natural assets, through the delivery of a diverse range of projects, including species reintroduction, landscape connectivity, regenerative agriculture, woodland creation, renewable energy generation, sustainable housing, and eco-tourism and carbon sequestration through woodland and peatland restoration.

Mavric Webbstock from Triodos Bank UK added: “We’re extremely grateful for the expertise and commitment of the WBD team, who pulled out all the stops to make this transaction a great success.”