Gilson Gray wins landmark litigation appeal on behalf of US clients

Full-service legal firm Gilson Gray is celebrating further success in the landmark litigation against its client, US-based private equity house Lime Rock Partners, by renowned oil and gas businessman, Robert Kidd. The claim was understood to be the single biggest damages claim in Scottish legal history.

In March 2024, after having heard weeks of evidence, the commercial judge (Lord Tyre) found in favour of Lime Rock Partners and the other defenders. Mr Kidd appealed that decision to the Inner House of the Court of Session, which was heard over four days in January 2025. In its decision today, the Court has again ruled in favour of Lime Rock Partners and the other defenders.

The case centred on an investment in ITS Tubular Services, a North Sea drilling company set up by Mr Kidd in 1989. A minority stake in the company was sold to Lime Rock in 2009. Mr Kidd had made a number of allegations arising from that deal. The commercial judge found in favour of Lime Rock and the other defenders, ruling against Mr Kidd on every point. That decision has been upheld on appeal.

A team of litigation and dispute resolution specialists from Gilson Gray acted for Lime Rock, including Alex Garioch, Fraser Cameron, and Iain Grant, all of whom welcomed the Court’s decision.

Alex Garioch, partner at Gilson Gray, said:“In what has been an extremely complex, lengthy and high value litigation we are delighted that our client’s position has been entirely vindicated and that they have won on every line of defence advanced. Gilson Gray are proud to have successfully represented Lime Rock Partners and two former employees in this very challenging and hard fought litigation. The team’s experience, application and collaboration with counsel, Kenny McBrearty KC, Alasdair McKenzie KC and Elisabeth Roxburgh contributed to such a positive outcome for our client.”

Glen Gilson, chair and managing partner of Gilson Gray, added: “This landmark case represents one of a series of high profile and extraordinary litigations that our team has successfully handled in recent months. From the definition of a woman in the Supreme Court, to the handling of complex Judicial Reviews and high value court actions, our Dispute Resolution division has helped establish Gilson Gray as one of the leading up and coming brands in UK law.”

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Notes to Editors

Established in 2014, Gilson Gray has become one of Scotland’s most-acquisitive law, property, and finance firms, boasting one of the widest service ranges in Scotland, and a growing service offering across the UK. The firm is multi-award having recently been named Law Firm of the Year, Corporate Firm of the Year, and Litigation Firm of the Year, among other accolades. The firm now has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, East Lothian, Dundee, Aberdeen, Lincoln, and London, each of which allows clients access to Gilson Gray’s full range of property, legal and financial services.

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