With an impressive track record spanning more than 30 years, MacRoberts advises clients on the full range of legal matters relating to their space and transport-related projects.
The space sector is considered a key priority for the Scottish Government. Scotland is currently the largest manufacturer of small satellites in Europe and has ambitious plans to grow its space industry, including the delivery of a dedicated launch capability by summer 2023, the creation of over 20,000 jobs and securing £4 billion of the global space market by 2030.
The Scottish Government is committed to this plan whilst maintaining its commitment to end Scotland's contribution to global climate change by 2045. There is a real appetite in Scotland to develop space sustainability and maintain the safety and health of the space environment and, as such, the creation of a regulatory framework governing the expansion into space is vital.
The legal requirements for those in the space industry will call on several disciplines including renewables, energy, construction, intellectual property and commercial contracts – to name a few.
As a full-service law firm, we advise clients on all aspects of their space and transport-related projects, including regulatory matters, operational estates, leases and income opportunities, planning and other consents, environmental issues, procurement, construction contracts, data protection, asset and project finance, tax, employment, dispute resolution and health and safety.
Please contact a member of our team to find out how we can support you in your space and transport-related projects.
The significant boom of activity in the space sector in recent years is a huge advantage for many of the engineers and creators of space IP. We discuss how those involved in the industry ought to protect any relevant IP they create or develop within the space sector.
The UK Space Agency has announced that it will invest £1.6 million on Mars Day, in an attempt to facilitate safe and efficient travel to Mars by utilising the supplies and technologies available in space to sustain the spacecraft and astronauts.
The Scottish space sector has shown its continued commitment to eco-friendly space activity through the recent publication of ‘’Space Sustainability: A Roadmap for Scotland’’, which sets out a plan towards a more sustainable Scottish space sector through a series of short, medium and long-term work packages.
There is currently a great drive around the world to develop environmental practices and sustainability in multiple sectors, and the space sector is no exception. There is a real appetite in Scotland to develop space sustainability and maintain the safety and health of the space environment.
In recent years, Scotland has seen a sharp rise in the number of jobs within the space sector and makes up for one fifth of the space workforce within the UK, according to a report by the UK space agency.
It is the beginning of a new age, with the Scottish Government very recently announcing a new strategy in a move to secure a £4 billion share of the global space market for the Scottish economy.
In 2016, we were one of the first law firms in Scotland to become accredited Living Wage employers.
Shortlisted for Firm of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2022.
Winners of Corporate & Commercial Team of the Year and Family Law Team of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2020.
Our Real Estate team won the Property Team of the Year Award at the British Legal Awards in 2018.
Winner of SME of the Year at the Scottish SME Awards 2017, hosted by Scottish Business Insider.
Highly Commended for Commercial Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2016.
In 2019, MacRoberts achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification, a UK Government entry-level information security standard.
MacRoberts holds the ISO 9001:2015 certification for Quality Management, the most widely recognised quality management system standard in the world.
MacRoberts holds the ISO14001:2015 certification for Environmental Management, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to environmental awareness.
MacRoberts holds the ISO27001:2013 certification for Information Security, an internationally recognised security gold standard.
Business continuity is a critical element of the Business Management System at MacRoberts and we hold full accreditation with the ISO 22301:2019.
MacRoberts is a member of IP Inclusive, a network of intellectual property professionals working to make our community more equal, diverse and inclusive.
We are active members of the PRIME Programme – an organisation that focuses on ensuring a career in law is open to talent from all economic and social backgrounds.
MacRoberts supports the Scottish Business Pledge, a values-led partnership between Government and business that is based on boosting productivity and competitiveness through fairness, equality and sustainable employment.
We are supporters of the Partnership for Change, a network of organisations and individuals who share a common ambition to improve diversity on boards and in senior leadership.
We are a member of the Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (ENEI), a UK-based not-for-profit organisation which helps employers build and maintain diverse teams and inclusive cultures through our membership, training, and consultancy services.
In 2022, MacRoberts was awarded enei's Silver TIDEMark. TIDE is enei's self-assessment evaluation and benchmarking tool which measures an organisation's overall approach and progress on diversity and inclusion.
MacRoberts is a Disability Confident employer, and are committed to disability equality across our firm.
MacRoberts fully supports flexible working practices and supports family-friendly working practices.
In 2022, MacRoberts received a Bronze Award in Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index for our commitment to LGBTQI+ inclusivity in the workplace.
MacRoberts is a longstanding member of Scotland Food & Drink, the leading trade association for Scotland's food and drink industry.
MacRoberts is an Associate Member of SELECT, Scotland's largest construction trade association.
