DLA Piper's Edinburgh office has won the Student Loans Company (SLC) as a new client.

The three-year contract as SLC's primary adviser will see DLA work with the company's in-house legal team on matters including litigation, debt recovery, data protection, corporate and commercial property.

Scots law firm Harper Macleod was formerly the lead adviser to the SLC.

The pitch was led by the head of DLA's Scottish technology, media and commercial team, John McKinlay, and public law partner Hazel Moffat. The duo (pictured) will co-head the relationship with the SLC using the firm's network of UK offices.

McKinlay commented: "We are delighted to have been chosen to be the SLC's external legal adviser. Our team of lawyers in Scotland and in the rest of the UK are excited at the prospect of working with such a prestigious client. We look forward to building our partnership with SLC's in-house legal team and providing the advice, support and counsel the business requires."

The Government-owned SLC gives financial assistance to more than 3.5 million students, paying out over £6bn a year in loans and grants.

Shareen Auckbarallee, legal and compliance manager at SLC said: "While we are headquartered in Scotland, our operations extend to all parts of the UK and across the EU. It is therefore beneficial for us to have a firm on board such as DLA Piper which can help us with legal issues wherever they may arise."