“Philip Knight is a commercially astute disputes partner whose expertise in real estate litigation and insolvency makes him a trusted adviser in complex and high-value Scottish proceedings. Equally effective in the courtroom and at the mediation table, he delivers clear, pragmatic solutions for corporates, lenders and public bodies navigating challenging and often distressed situations.”

Fantastic Lawyers® Editorial, 2026

Philip Knight is a Partner in the Edinburgh office of Dentons and a member of the UK Disputes practice. He represents clients in the Court of Session and Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland and is an accredited mediator with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Philip has a broad commercial disputes practice with particular expertise in commercial litigation, real estate disputes, banking and insolvency matters. He regularly advises clients in the retail, energy and financial services sectors and splits his time between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

What He Actually Does

In practical terms, Philip helps corporates, directors, lenders and public bodies resolve complex, high-value disputes and navigate distressed situations.

His core areas of focus include:

• Commercial litigation and dispute resolution
• Real estate litigation
• Insolvency and restructuring disputes
• Schemes of arrangement, CVAs and voluntary arrangements
• Director advice in distressed scenarios
• Procurement challenges
• Group proceedings and product liability claims
• Energy and retail sector disputes

He also advises insolvency practitioners, administrators and officeholders, as well as creditors and equity committees, in contentious and non-contentious restructuring matters.

Representative Experience

• Advising the Insolvency Service on director disqualifications and public interest winding-up petitions in Scotland.
• Acting for a well-known retailer in connection with a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).
• Obtaining an interim interdict in a leading Scottish defamation judgment arising from online publications.
• Acting in urgent proceedings to recall the appointment of a provisional liquidator for a chain of convenience stores.
• Advising on a scheme of arrangement under the Companies Act 2006 in the Court of Session.
• Acting in relation to the administration of Rangers Football Club and associated court proceedings.
• Representing major supermarket chains, energy retailers and international pharmaceutical companies in commercial and consumer disputes.
• Advising on procurement challenges under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Recognition

Philip is consistently ranked in leading legal directories:

• Chambers UK – Real Estate Litigation
• Legal 500 – Commercial Litigation

Clients describe him as:

• “A very experienced practitioner; attuned to the needs of his clients.”
• “Very bright and articulate… easy-going.”
• “A proven trouble solver… intelligent, proactive and a pleasure to work with.”
• “Commercially minded and very well liked by clients.”

Why He Is Different

Philip combines deep technical litigation expertise with pragmatic, commercially focused advice. As a RICS-accredited mediator, he is equally comfortable resolving disputes through negotiation and ADR as he is pursuing or defending claims in court.

He is known for staying ahead of developments in Scottish litigation, insolvency and group proceedings, regularly publishing insights on evolving case law and procedural reform.

Career Background

• Partner, Dentons
• Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) (2017–2023)
• Senior Associate, DWF (2007–2017)

Education & Qualifications

LLB and Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Aberdeen (2006)
Admitted on the Rolls, Law Society of Scotland

Contact:
Mobile: +44 (0)7525 363120
Email: Available via Dentons
Offices: Edinburgh & Glasgow