PDFAreas of expertise
Professional information
- 2019: Admitted to Faculty of Advocates.
- 2018 – 2019: Devil at Faculty of Advocates (devil masters: Gordon Balfour, Miranda Hamilton, Edith Forest).
- 2014 – 2018: Associate at Berrymans Lace Mawer.
- 2006 – 2014: Trainee, solicitor, associate at Harper Macleod LLP.
- B.Acc, University of Glasgow (2002); LLB, University of Strathclyde (2005); Diploma in Legal Practice, Glasgow Graduate School of Law (2006); LLM Construction Law (Distinction), University of Strathclyde (2017); Faculty Scholar (2018 – 2019).
Murray Steel specialises in construction, engineering, infrastructure, energy, professional negligence, commercial contract, shipping, and restructuring disputes.
Murray appears frequently as sole and junior counsel in the Commercial Court of the Court of Session. He has been involved in many of the most significant construction and commercial cases of recent years. He is regularly instructed in adjudications and arbitrations.
Chambers and Partners highlights Murray’s “impressive profile” in commercial disputes and commends his “particular skill” in construction matters.
Alongside his practice, Murray tutors at the University of Glasgow, lectures at the University of Strathclyde, and is an active member of the Society of Construction Law. He has presented at events hosted by the Adjudication Society, the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association, and the Royal Faculty of Procurators.
- Petition of AG for Scotland on behalf of HMRC [2026] CSOH 29. Acted for Petrofac Facilities Management Limited (led by Garry Borland KC) in relation to application by HMRC for order revoking decision of creditors and shareholders to approve CVA.
- Maguire v Black Isle Electrical Ltd and Others [2026] CSOH 51. Acted for Nissan Motor Iberica (led by Kenny McBrearty KC) in product liability dispute.
- Tilbury Douglas Construction Limited v One Arup & Partners Scotland Limited [2023] CSOH 53; [2024] CSIH 15. Acted for One Arup (led by Dean of Faculty, Roddy Dunlop KC) in preliminary proof and subsequent appeal on prescription.
- FES Limited v HFD Construction Group Limited [2024] CSOH 20. Acted for HFD Construction Group (led by The Rt Hon James Wolffe KC) in debate about conditions precedent in Standard Building Contract with Quantities for Use in Scotland.
- Tecjet Limited v Kier Construction Limited [2024] CSOH 60. Acted for Kier Construction (led by Gavin MacColl KC) in debate about (i) title to sue, and (ii) validity of assignations.
- Ashtenne Caledonia Limited v Denny Enterprises Limited [2023] CSOH 20; [2023] CSOH 22; [2023] CSOH 23. Acted as sole counsel for Denny Enterprises in series of debates about a dilapidations dispute.
- Network Rail Infrastructure Limited v Fern Trustee 1 Limited and others [2022] CSIH 32. Acted for Network Rail (led by David Thomson KC) in debate and subsequent appeal about construction of a commercial contract.
- Colquhoun and others v Clinical Research Solutions GmbH and Cromsource SRL [2022] CSOH 96. Acted for Clinical Research Solutions and Cromsource SRL (led by David Johnston KC) in preliminary proof on prescription.
- The Firm of C&L Mair v Mike Dewis Farm Systems Limited [2022] CSOH 47. Acted as sole counsel for MDFS in debate about prescription.
- Van Oord UK Limited v Dragados UK Limited [2022] CSOH 30. Acted for Dragados (led by Gavin Walker KC) in adjudication enforcement action.
- Babcock Marine (Clyde) Limited v HS Barrier Coatings Limited [2019] CSOH 110. Acted for HS Barrier Coatings (led by Gavin Walker KC) in adjudication enforcement action.
- Chambers and Partners 2026: Construction – Band 2; Commercial Dispute Resolution – Band 3