Leading Sets

1
Ampersand Advocates
Compass Chambers
2
Terra Firma Chambers

Leading Silks

1
Gavin Anderson KC – Compass Chambers 'Gavin masters the detail of complex cases with ease and is able to explain things to clients in a clear and measured way. He is very easy to work with and turns things around very quickly.'
Peter Gray KC – Compass Chambers 'He combines an outstanding intellect with a pragmatic and commercial approach to cases thereby ensuring that clients receive both technically excellent and practical advice at every stage of a case.'
Duncan Hamilton KC – Arnot Manderson Advocates 'Duncan is a superb communicator, and is able to represent the client's position with clarity. A fearless advocate.'
Fred Mackintosh KC – Terra Firma Chambers 'An excellent advocate, who has the ability to marshal large quantities of information and identify the relevant issues.'
Murdo MacLeod KC – Compass Chambers 'His polite and disarming style is unbeatable when combined with his razor-sharp intellect, incredible work ethic and tactical brilliance.'
Barry Smith KC – Compass Chambers 'His attention to detail, technical knowledge and legal problem-solving is exceptional. He has a wonderful manner and approach with clients, and is always able to suitably condense very complex legal advice into a straight forward and easily understandable way.'
Andrew Webster KC – Themis Advocates  'Andrew is a fantastic orator, and a very knowledgeable and experienced advocate.'
2
Simon Bowie KC – Ampersand Advocates ‘Simon clearly has the ear of the court as he makes submissions. Clients respond to his calm authority and trust him to fight their cases.'
Alasdair Burnet KC – Terra Firma Chambers
Isla Davie KC - Ampersand Advocates 'She is a very skilled performer in court - her manner with witnesses when taking evidence is excellent.'
Jamie Dawson KC  – Ampersand Advocates
Una Doherty KC – Ampersand Advocates 'A steel fist in a silk glove.'
Fiona Drysdale KC – Ampersand Advocates
Angela Grahame KC – Compass Chambers 'Angela is simply outstanding in every respect. Her judgement, decision making and advice are exceptional. Her advocacy skills are phenomenal - she is a joy to watch.'
Lisa Henderson KC – Ampersand Advocates
Claire Mitchell KC - Compass Chambers 'A remarkable advocate. She is engaging and supportive, and incredibly insightful.'
Geoffrey Mitchell KC – Ampersand Advocates 'A silk whose calm and amiable manner fronts a razor sharp mind.'
Paul Reid KC – Ampersand Advocates 'An all-round super advocate.'
Mark Stewart KC – Compass Chambers ‘Mark always has total command of the brief. He has a complete understanding of the issues involved. In court, his cross examination of witnesses is always focused and precise.'
Susanne Tanner KC – Ampersand Advocates 'An expert in her field.'

2024 Silks

James McConnell KC – Ampersand Advocates
Usman Tariq KC – Ampersand Advocates 'An able advocate who is good on his feet.'
Laura Thomson KC – Arnot Manderson Advocates 'She is a fabulous lawyer - incisive, creative and committed. She approaches cases with rigour and insight, allowing her to see connections and draw out overarching themes no matter how complex and technical the subject matter. Her witness handling skills are a masterclass. She is a delight to work with.'

Leading Juniors

1
Scott Blair – Terra Firma Chambers 'Scott is authoritative and approachable. He has a calm and assured manner in court.'
Graham Dunlop – Terra Firma Chambers 'Graham's advice is timely and well considered. He is a capable advocate who is adept at putting a witness at ease, and thereby getting the best from them.'
Ayla Iridag – Ampersand Advocates ‘Ayla is a very assured and knowledgeable junior. She has analytical abilities beyond her year of call.'
Barney Ross – Compass Chambers 'Barney's court advocacy is first rate - his ability to think on his feet and respond appropriately to any questions from the bench is highly impressive.'
Emma Toner – Compass Chambers ‘Emma has fantastic legal knowledge and a great eye for detail. She is a skilled orator.'
2
Clare Connelly – Compass Chambers
Shane Dundas - Ampersand Advocates
Carla Fraser – Compass Chambers ‘An outstanding, tenacious advocate. She has excellent empathy with clients and always delivers sound legal advice.'
Jennifer Nicholson-White – Ampersand Advocates

Rising Stars

Jonathan Deans – Arnot Manderson Advocates
Michael Way – Ampersand Advocates
Kenneth Young – Terra Firma Chambers

Crime and regulatory in Scottish Bar

Ampersand Advocates


Ampersand Advocates has an excellent reputation for acting on complex, high-profile Fatal Accident Inquiries and public inquiries. Multiple members continue to represent core participants in the Scottish and UK COVID-19 inquiries, while Susanne Tanner KC acts for Scottish Futures Trust in the ongoing Scottish Hospitals inquiry. In a separate matter, James McConnell KC acted for Greater Glasgow Health Board in the fatal accident inquiry into three neonatal deaths; it was found that the deaths could realistically have been avoided if ‘reasonable precautions’ had been taken. Geoffrey Mitchell KC‘s ‘advocacy style is calm and considered‘, and the ‘very persuasive‘ Paul Reid KC has ‘in depth knowledge and expertise in working with public sector clients‘. Among the juniors, Shane Dundas is well versed in representing various parties in Fatal Accident Inquiries arising from deaths in prison.

Les références

‘Alan Moffat is an excellent clerk.’

‘Alan Moffat is superb.’

‘Clerks are always helpful and pleasant to deal with.’





Compass Chambers


Compass Chambers is viewed by clients as ‘unquestionably the leading stable for health and safety‘ and ‘excellent in relation to regulatory crime matters‘. Claire Mitchell KC, Peter Gray KC and Emma Toner are acting for various parties in the ongoing Scottish and UK COVID-19 public inquiries; Gray KC and Toner, along with Murdo MacLeod KC and Barney Ross, are also representing clients in the ongoing Scottish Hospitals inquiry. In a separate matter, Mark Stewart KC acted in a fatal accident inquiry into the suicide of a vulnerable 16-year old boy on remand in HMP YOI Polmont in 2018. Barry Smith KC has a strong reputation for handling high-profile health and safety matters, and has also been active in complex Fatal Accident Inquiries. Gavin Anderson KC has returned to practice after serving as an Advocate Depute.

Les références

‘Lesley Hogg and Gavin Herd are great. They are always quick to respond, helpful and knowledgeable.’

‘Lesley Hogg is very hard working, excellent to deal with and very efficient.’

‘Gavin Herd is excellent at managing matters.’





Terra Firma Chambers


At Terra Firma Chambers, members of the stable have been kept especially busy acting for parties in the high-profile Scottish COVID-19 inquiry and the Scottish Hospitals inquiry. In the case of the latter, Fred Mackintosh KC is appearing as senior counsel in the investigation into whether potentially deficient water and ventilation systems in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children caused an avoidable risk to patients’ health. Turning to the juniors, Graham Dunlop is acting in the ongoing Scottish COVID-19 inquiry. Scott Blair is ‘thorough, authoritative and approachable‘.

Les références

‘Emma Caskie-Potter is excellent. She’s responsive and commercial.’

‘Excellent, prompt and fully professional throughout.’

‘Quick to respond and efficient.’