The Act covers 17 areas of the economy including advanced robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), civil nuclear, computing hardware, cryptographic authentication, data infrastructure, defence, energy, and satellite and space technology.

Euan Tripp, a partner in Anderson Strathern’s corporate practice who heads up its investments team, said: “While there were widespread concerns that the Act could stall investment activity, what we’ve seen is that deals continue to move in the right direction and the sector is getting to grips with the Act. That’s encouraging for the Scottish scene, as we’re coming off a record year of investment deal activity last year.”

Anderson Strathern advises a number of investors based in Scotland including Par Equity, Equity Gap, Kelvin Capital, Foresight Group, and Tricapital, in addition to advising companies raising investment, and engaging in mergers and acquisitions. The firm continues to build expertise in the tech and life sciences sectors, and has as many as ten investment deals completing immediately before and after the new tax year.

Max Scharbert, a director in Anderson Strathern’s corporate practice who is featuring as a speaker on the National Security and Investment Act at a LINC Scotland member’s event this week, said: “While we dealt with a high volume of calls in the first few weeks after the new legislation came into place, there is a definite feeling that there is now greater clarity and consensus.”