Maclay Murray & Spens (MMS) is taking seven partners from collapsed Scots firm Semple Fraser, including managing partner Simon Etchells, following the news earlier this week that the 20-partner firm is going into administration.

The seven partners, all of which are from Semple Fraser's Glasgow office, comprise a six-partner real estate team, which is moving across the city to MMS's Glasgow base, while Semple Fraser's head of corporate and renewables Bill Fowler is joining MMS in Edinburgh.

The real estate team includes managing partner Simon Etchells, Semple Fraser founding partner Paul Haniford, and fellow partners Colin Keenan, Barry McKeown, Anju Suneja and Joanna Campbell-Smith.

MMS chief executive Chris Smylie said: "We have been able to move very quickly to hire such an exceptional group of partners. Although we have been aware of the difficulties being experienced by Semple Fraser, we also recognised the very high quality of the individuals and clients involved."

The move follows the appointment of RSM Tenon as administrators.

RSM Tenon's Scotland head of restructuring Tom MacLennan added: "We are delighted that Maclay Murray & Spens has moved so quickly to hire seven partners. We wish MMS and their new colleagues every success as they develop their business."

This Wednesday (6 March) Semple Fraser confirmed it has filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator, with administration described by the firm as "the only option."

The firm, which has been hit hard by the downturn and a drop-off in work in its key areas of corporate, property and construction, has around 100 staff acrosss three offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester.

Legal Week understands that Weightmans are in talks to take on the firm's Manchester team.