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).
Professional experience

Murray Steel specialises in disputes concerning domestic and international construction and engineering, energy, professional negligence, and commercial contracts. 

Murray appears regularly as sole and junior counsel in the Commercial Court of the Court of Session. He has acted in many of the biggest construction and commercial cases of recent years. He also represents clients in adjudications and arbitrations.

Chambers and Partners praises Murray for his “impressive profile” in commercial disputes and notes his “particular skill” in construction matters. 

Murray is a tutor at the University of Glasgow and a member of the Society of Construction Law. He has presented at events hosted by the Adjudication Society and the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association.

Notable cases
  • Van Oord UK Limited v Dragados UK Limited [2022] CSOH 30. Acted as junior counsel for successful defender in adjudication enforcement action.
  • Babcock Marine (Clyde) Limited v HS Barrier Coatings Limited [2019] CSOH 110. Acted as junior counsel for defender in adjudication enforcement action.
  • Tilbury Douglas Construction Limited (formerly known as Interserve Construction Limited) v Ove Arup & Partners Scotland Limited. [judgment awaited] Acted as junior counsel for defender in case involving construction and engineering works at the North Tunnel of Haymarket Railyard. 
  • Network Rail Infrastructure Limited v Fern Trustee 1 Limited and others [2022] CSIH 32. Acted as junior counsel for pursuer in dispute arising out of remedial works to an office block in Glasgow.
  • The Firm of C&L Mair v Mike Dewis Farm Systems Limited [2022] CSOH 47. Acted as sole counsel for defender in case relating to the design and construction of a slurry tank. 
  • Colquhoun and others v Clinical Research Solutions GmbH and Cromsource SRL [2022] CSOH 96. Acted as junior counsel for defenders in dispute arising out of share purchase agreement.
  • Charles Alexander Green v The Chief Constable of Police Scotland and The Lord Advocate. Acted as junior counsel for pursuer in malicious prosecution case.
  • Ashtenne Caledonia Limited v Mahmood Saleem [2023] CSOH 23. Acted as sole counsel for defender in dilapidations dispute.
  • Ashtenne Caledonia Limited v Denny Enterprises Limited [2023] CSOH 20. Acted as sole counsel for defender in dilapidations dispute.
  • Ashtenne Caledonia Limited v Denny Enterprises Int’l Limited [2023] CSOH 20. Acted as sole counsel for defender in dilapidations dispute.

Directories
  • Legal 500 – Recommended as leading junior in Commercial Disputes (Tier 2). “Murray’s written work is excellent, with an equally strong advocacy style. Clients love him.”  Legal 500 2022
  • Chambers and Partners 2023. Up and Coming. “an impressive profile for his handling of commercial disputes, with particular skill in construction matters”.
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