Fielding ‘a team of extremely experienced criminal lawyers who are highly skilled in dealing with private and corporate clients‘, Levy & McRae has a deep bench of lawyers that advises on domestic, financial and sexual crime cases. The team has a wealth of experience across all levels of the Scottish court system and is able to effectively work alongside major public bodies in complex, multi-faceted investigations and enquiries. The practice also has a dedicated PR and media service, headed up by team lead David McKie, which caters to the high-net-worth clients. Co-head Neil Hay is widely lauded as ‘an expert in his field’ and is a key figure for both regulatory crime and fraud cases, while fellow practice head Callum Anderson is often instructed to represent law enforcement and government officials. Promoted to senior associate in December 2023, Andrew Seggie has a growing remit of work that regularly involves professional and reputational considerations.

Complex health and safety cases form the cornerstone of the practice at BTO Solicitors LLP, with the team covering the gamut of mobility matters, especially with regard to elderly drivers. The firm also regularly handles sensitive cases involving culpable homicide allegations, domestic and sexual abuse cases, and financial misconduct claims, as well as a growing stream of malicious prosecutions and allegations against the Crown. Team head Vikki Watt has a practice that sits across both criminal and regulatory crime matters. The ‘outstanding’ Alasdair Gillies is noted as a ‘knowledgeable, reassuring, confident’ practitioner with ‘an immense depth of experience’, and has the ability to handle his own advocacy, particularly in serious road traffic cases. Promoted to partner in 2023, Lindsay MacNeill leverages previous in-house experience at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to guide clients through criminal proceedings, while Amy Anderson specialises in health and safety and regulatory prosecutions. Neil Macdonald is also a key name to note.

Livingstone Brown handles a range of complex criminal trials and investigation work that includes sexual abuse, wrongful arrest, fraud, human trafficking and personal injury claims. While often representing a range of private, high-net-worth professionals, the firm regularly acts for public sector employees against state institutions in high-profile cases, emphasised by its work in relation to the Post Office Horizon IT Scandal. Helming the practice is Stuart Munro, who is noted for his work in white-collar crime matters, regularly engaging with professionals in the legal, finance and accounting sectors. Sarah Munro has been a significant supporting presence across a range of cases and has established strength in pre-litigation work. The highly experienced Gerard Brown now operates as a consultant within the practice.

Scullion LAW handles a broad array of criminal matters for a range of individuals and organisations, with a growing presence in the international space that has seen the team advise human rights groups in relation to the Israel Palestine conflict. The firm also benefitted from the arrival of Stephanie Grieve, who has deep experience as a criminal lawyer. The practice is fronted by Kristopher Buchanan, a road traffic specialist who covers issues ranging from serious accidents and collisions to technical proceedings pertaining to speeding and drink driving. Solicitor advocate Urfan Dar‘s far reaching practice sees him act in high-profile claims involving murder, rape and money laundering allegations, and cases involving children and vulnerable persons. Anna MacKay is also highly active within the practice.