Our People Solicitors

Director

Craig is an experienced lawyer having spent 5 years working with one of the major commercial law firms in Glasgow. Craig has developed considerable experience dealing with a range of business clients, from small family enterprises to large corporations.

He has a detailed understanding of renewable energy projects. This initially  developed during his time as a principal legal officer to the Scottish Executive (as it then was) where he was responsible for advising Ministers  on the legal aspects of applications made for large scale wind and hydro projects under the Electricity Act.

Craig has a keen interest in the rural sector. He spent 10 years as a partner in a well-respected Perth law firm where he was responsible for the team handling agricultural and commercial work. He is also a graduate of the Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Programme.

An accredited mediator, Craig understands the importance of clear communication and the need to work with others to deliver what clients need. Whether assisting in a complex negotiation for a development option agreement or sensitively working through a succession plan for a family business, he believes that both strong communication skills and a sound technical legal knowledge are essential skills for the lawyer to bring to the table.

Craig lives in Perth with his wife and four children.

Director

Anneli Spence is a Director at Eden Legal, specialising in rural land and business law. She advises clients across Scotland on a wide range of matters including the sale and purchase of farms, estates and other rural property, renewable energy projects, property finance and securities, wayleaves and servitudes, agricultural and commercial leasing, partnership matters and succession planning.

Anneli’s practical, solutions-focused approach and deep understanding of rural property law make her a trusted advisor to landowners, farming families, and rural businesses.

She began her legal career with a large commercial firm, gaining experience in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London before relocating to Perth in 2016. Since then, she has built a loyal client base by prioritising strong relationships, clear communication, and a genuine understanding of her clients’ goals.

Anneli lives in Dunblane with her husband and two children, and is proud to support the rural communities she serves both professionally and personally.

Associate Solicitor

Susan is an experienced Solicitor with a background in private client matters, dispute resolution, family law, and contract negotiation.

She began her career at a well-established firm in Perth, where she spent 15 years primarily focusing on civil litigation. During this period, Susan developed a particular interest in Adults with Incapacity legislation and family disputes, supporting clients during their most challenging and vulnerable times. Her courtroom experience highlighted the importance of future planning, leading her to advise clients on private client matters such as setting up Powers of Attorney, drafting Wills, and creating pre-nuptial agreements to prevent disputes and avoid court intervention.

Susan then transitioned to the higher education sector, where she provided legal advice to various university departments to facilitate research activities. After several years, she returned to private practice at another well-respected law firm in Perth.

Susan’s broad experience enables her to offer proactive and pragmatic legal advice to clients at various stages of their lives. She handles all aspects of private client work, including wills and powers of attorney, estate and tax planning, executries, and co-habitation and pre-nuptial agreements.

Susan lives in Perth with her husband and their two children.

Senior Solicitor

Laura joined Eden Legal as a Senior Solicitor in August 2023 having spent almost 5 years in commercial real estate with a leading independent all service law firm in Edinburgh where she acted as a key advisor to public sector clients and the Crown’s representative. Laura brings with her a varied range of sub-urban and rural transactional and non-transactional experience, with a focus on title investigation work, corrective conveyancing and title rectification, servitudes and wayleaves, voluntary registration, land disposal and public property auctions.

Pre-qualifying in 2018 in Edinburgh, Laura spent 3 years handling commercial and compliance matters in-house for a national independent occupational health consultancy, and 2 years co-ordinating guest sporting activities and country pursuits at a well-known prestigious resort near Perth.

Focused on forging strong relationships with clients and their agents, Laura is known for her pragmatic and diligent advice and takes great pride in ensuring her clients feel valued and supported.

Raised nearby in Perthshire, Laura now lives near Cupar with her dog and has a keen interest in motorbikes, horses and the great outdoors.

Accredited Paralegal

Charmaine is an Accredited Private Client Paralegal, advising clients on Wills, Powers of Attorney, Estate planning and administration.

Charmaine’s extensive knowledge of private client practice comes from her experience working for a busy rural firm in Argyll and national sized companies in Glasgow. Charmaine focuses on building strong client relationships and has a keen interest in Adults with Incapacity matters.

Charmaine is a Trustee with the Abbeyfield Berwick Society who provide supported accommodation for older Adults.

In her spare time Charmaine enjoys mountain biking, squash and golf.

Office Manager and Commercial Paralegal

Janet is a Commercial Paralegal, having completed her Specialist Paralegal Qualification in Commercial Conveyancing in 2017 following a course of study through the University of Strathclyde.  She joined the Eden Legal team in 2015.   Janet supports the team by carrying out some of the more routine legal matters.

Janet enjoys hillwalking and visiting islands in her leisure time.  She lives with her husband in Bankfoot, near Perth.

Trust & Executry Assistant

Anne is our Trust & Executry Assistant and brings a wealth of experience to her role, having worked in solicitors’ offices doing trust and executry work for over 30 years.

Anne previously worked as a Scottish Law Accountant, qualifying in 1997.

Anne joined McKean Gardner as a Trust & Executry Assistant in 2018 and has been with us since Eden Legal assumed the business of McKean Gardner in August 2023.

Legal Secretary and PA

Melissa is our Legal Secretary and PA, providing comprehensive administrative support to the team.

Melissa joined Eden Legal in May 2024 after relocating to Scotland from the Isle of Man, where she was the Executive Assistant to the Headteacher of a large secondary school. She has extensive experience in managing complex administrative tasks and supporting senior professionals.

Outside of her professional role, Melissa is actively involved in the swimming community as a qualified swimming teacher, lifeguard and British Swimming Referee. She enjoys kayaking and paddleboarding, and loves spending time having adventures with her family.

Melissa lives in Perth with her husband and two children.