About Tait & Peterson

~ About Tait & Peterson ~

History of the Firm

Tait & Peterson have been a well-established firm of Solicitors in Shetland for over 50 years.

It was in the 1930s that James M S Tait (originally of Clousta, Shetland) returned to Shetland from Edinburgh, where he had studied law. He had passed the Law Society of Scotland exams while serving an apprenticeship with an Edinburgh firm.

He took up employment with Thomas Johnston who took ill shortly thereafter and Mr Tait found himself running the practice, which he bought over on Mr Johnston’s death and built up steadily under the firm name ‘Thomas Johnston & Tait’ and latterly as ‘James M S Tait’.

George S Peterson also passed the Law Society exams after studying at Edinburgh University, while serving his apprenticeship with Shepherd & Wedderburn.

He was employed by Mr Tait and then became a partner in 1966/67, forming the firm of Tait & Peterson, the name still used to this day.

Gradual expansion of the firm resulted in taking over the factoring of most of the crofting estates in Shetland which they have represented for many years. The Shetland Islands Council has bought over several of these crofting estates when they have come up for sale.

The advent of North Sea oil in the 1970's saw the firm expand and extend their offices at the Bank of Scotland Buildings incorporating part of the then Bank house to accommodate the staff.

Eric S Peterson joined the firm in 1984 being appointed as partner, and he and his father ran the firm together until George Peterson retired.

In 2002, Tait & Peterson incorporated the firm of Morrison & Gardiner.

The Staff of Tait & Peterson

Eric S Peterson - Senior Partner

Martin Taylor – Partner

Eric Peterson

Eric Peterson is the firm’s Senior Partner, and gained his LLB from Aberdeen University and a Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Dundee, before completing his traineeship, when returning to Shetland to take up his post within Tait & Peterson.

Eric is a general practitioner with extensive experience in many areas of practice such as conveyancing, executries, wills and trusts. He is also accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Crofting Law, and was appointed Honorary Sheriff in 2010.

Outside the office Eric is actively involved in the Lerwick Baptist Church and his leisure pursuits include cycling and occasional trout fishing. He is also committed to several charitable organizations as well as spending time with his family.

Martin Taylor

Martin Taylor, a Partner in the firm, graduated from Oxford University and qualified as a Solicitor in England in 1979. He worked firstly in the City of London, then as a Partner in a Westminster firm, and since 1996 with Tait & Peterson when he re-qualified as a Solicitor in Scotland. While working in London he specialised in private client business.

Since joining Tait & Peterson his work has included conveyancing and crofting matters, executries, wills, trusts, commercial property transactions and some occasional civil court work.

For several years he has acted as Clerk/Treasurer to the Faculty of Solicitors in Shetland. When he has time and the weather permits, he enjoys sailing his Shetland Model boat.

James Morris – Law Accountant

Jim Morris

Jim moved from Edinburgh to Shetland with his wife in 1985, taking up the position of Accountant within Tait & Peterson.

He later undertook two years of training in order to become a fully qualified Law Accountant and recognised member of the Society of Law Accountants in Scotland.

His role within the firm has expanded over the years, however his areas of expertise are tax planning and executry administration.

In his spare time, Jim enjoys playing volleyball as well as spending time with his four children.

Andrea Tait – Trainee Solicitor

Alasdair Peterson – Law Student

Andrea Tait

Andrea Tait is the firm’s newly employed Trainee Solicitor, having studied law at The University of Edinburgh, qualifying with her LLB (Hons) degree in 2008 and subsequently completing the Diploma in Legal Practice there in May 2009.

She will undertake her two year vocational traineeship with Tait & Peterson, which will see her become a fully qualified Solicitor.

In her spare time Andrea is a keen sportsperson, taking part in many activities around Shetland including netball, hockey and volleyball. She also enjoys travelling.

Alasdair Peterson

Alasdair Peterson grew up in Shetland, and has just completed his first year at Edinburgh University where he is studying Law. He has been working with Tait & Peterson during the summer since 2006.

Once he completes his academic studies and vocational traineeship, Alasdair intends to practice as a Solicitor.

During his spare time, Alasdair enjoys reading, playing the flute and piano (though not at the same time!), walking, trout fishing and the occasional game of squash.

Mary Tate – Cashier

Joan Leask – Legal Secretary

Mary Tate

Mary Tate began her work in the legal sector as an Office Junior with Morrison & Gardiner Solicitors in 2000.

She later transferred to Tait & Peterson when the two firms incorporated in 2002, and was promoted to Cashier in 2003.

When she is not at work, Mary enjoys walking, landscape gardening & taking part in local drama productions.

Joan Leask

Joan Leask began her work as a legal secretary for Carruthers in 1991, moving to Tait & Peterson in August 1995.

She is now joint receptionist and is responsible for maintaining office supplies, as well as preparing the firm's property particulars.

While she is not at work, Joan is actively involved in running a Brownie pack, having been a leader since 1971. She is also an elder/youth worker at the Lerwick Church of Scotland and very much enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.

Kathleen Simpson – Legal Secretary

Anne Leask – Office Assistant

Kathleen Simpson

Kathleen Simpson is currently Tait & Peterson’s longest serving member of staff, joining the firm in September 1980 as a part-time legal secretary.

In 1989, she became Mr George Peterson’s full-time secretary and took on the role as joint receptionist.

In her spare time, Kathleen likes to spend time working in her garden.

Anne Leask

Anne came to work for Tait & Peterson in 2006 as an Office Assistant, having had several years experience working at the Alliance & Leicester and Prudential as a receptionist & cashier.

When she is not at work Anne enjoys knitting and doing crosswords.