The present firm of BruntonMiller is an amalgamation of two firmsviz:-(1) Brunton and Miller and (2) Alexander and Martin. Both of these firms were instituted in the 1880’s and continued their separate existence until shortly after the First World War when they amalgamated
to form the firm of Brunton, Miller, Alexander and Martin.
The nature of the combined firms business was primarily that of general private client business including Conveyancing and the administration of Executry Estates. It had a close connection with the hosiery business and where involved in the running of the Scottish Hosiery Manufactures Association.
After the Second World War, the then Senior Partner, John George Phillip, recognised as an outstanding
practitioner in the Civil Courts and a very well known public speaker, extended the firms activity into Civil Court work.
In the 1950’s the firm had three Partners and their main activity was Conveyancing both Domestic and Commercial, Company work and Executry and Trust work.
One particular field in which the firm blossomed was that of Domestic Conveyancing. By and large those activities still represent a substantial part of the business today.
In the 1970’s however, the introduction of new comprehensive legislation dealing with Liquor Licensing in Scotland created opportunities for expansion. Whereas prior to 1976, throughout Scotland there were only four days in the year on which Licensing Boards met to conduct
transfers of Licences, the obtaining of new Licences etc.etc, after 1976 such
business was to be conducted throughout Scotland on a daily basis.
This made it possible for Solicitors to specialise in that field of Law.
The result was that for the firm and activity which had represented only a small fraction of its business expanded hugely resulting in the Licensing Partners in the firm since that time being recognised as being among the leading experts in that field of Law, with a client base covering all aspects of the licensed trade from the local corner shop to some of the biggest and best known premises in the country. |