Burness has unveiled its new chairman and the successor to departing chief John Rafferty, who is stepping down after seven years at the helm of the top 10 Scots firm.

Philip Rodney, the 35-partner firm’s head of dispute resolution, began his new role on Monday (6 December), while Rafferty, who was recently named honorary consul general for Canada, will revert to his position as a partner in the firm’s corporate practice.