Crime, fraud and licensing
The criminal law team at Levy & McRae provides specialist advice at all levels of the Scottish criminal court system. The team’s expertise covers a diverse range of criminal matters including regulatory, financial and domestic crime. David McKie assumes a leading role in dealing with PR and media for high-net-worth clients. Fellow co-head Callum Anderson is regularly called upon to defend police officers and public officials, while co-head Neil Hay specialises in cases relating regulatory matters, fraud and historical allegations. Hay is supported by Andrew Seggie who has particular expertise in managing cases to protect the reputations of clients. Laurelle Johnstone brings a wealth of experience to the practice, joining from the COPFS in February 2025.
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Profile
Work Department
Criminal Law
Position
Senior Associate
Andrew specialises in criminal law. His expertise includes financial crime, domestic abuse offences, sexual offences, assault, offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act, road traffic offences and proceedings brought under the Proceeds of Crime Act. His focus is on protecting clients’ reputations by preventing cases from reaching prosecution wherever possible.
Andrew has extensive court experience representing white-collar clients who are facing serious allegations, and an excellent track-record in achieving successful outcomes. Meticulous research, rigorous case management and skilful negotiation are essential to his approach in his work.
Andrew appears in courts throughout Scotland on a weekly basis. He has conducted many trials both at summary and solemn level. Andrew has a good working relationship with the court and prosecution service.
Strong research skills and unwavering client service, coupled with a down-to-earth and approachable manner, underpin Andrew’s work. Andrew’s background in representing clients in civil litigation and children’s referral proceedings have been instrumental when dealing with cases involving young people, complex family cases and mental health issues.
Andrew is a member of the Glasgow Bar Association.
Languages
English
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Andrew Seggie was thorough in his communication, supportive and robust in his approach. Any legal jargon was explained in laymen terms to be easily understood. Advice was discussed where my voice and opinions were taken into account. I felt fully represented and supported throughout the process.’
‘The team at Levy & McRae are second to none and in a league of their own. The firm are very capable and have some of the highest sought out solicitors and partners in Scotland. The team are very supportive and take a genuine interest in their clients, from the moment they walk through the door and beyond.'
'The high level of resource enabled a more thorough exploration of the case and its preparation. The firm was willing and able to consider matters that I raised, giving me great comfort and confidence that I was in very capable hands.' 'I understand that the criminal practice team at Levy & McRae focuses on private clients, including professionals and high net worth individuals. I cannot imagine a better team than Levy & McRae to defend a person accused of a crime. My acquittal is a testament to the skill and preparation of the team in what was a complicated case.'‘Levy & McRae have built a fantastic crime team and I consider them the go-to firm when I have a private client in need of criminal advice, especially for high-stakes matters.’
‘Neil Hay is such a safe pair of hands. I have no hesitation in recommending him to clients in need. His key strength is his ability to put clients at ease and his reliability - Neil goes to great lengths to make himself available which makes him a great person to have in your network.'
‘Levy & McRae are one of the few teams in Scotland specialising in domestic abuse and the intersection between family and criminal law. They are highly knowledgeable and provide a first-class service. They are also generous with their time and knowledge in terms of equipping family lawyers with an understanding of the criminal process for their clients.'
‘Neil Hay is outstanding, and my first port of call for family law clients who have either been accused of a domestic offence or who need support to assist them in making a complaint to the police regarding such an offence. He is very quick to respond, extremely helpful, and seems to provide an excellent service to clients. He is ably supported by a sound and knowledgeable team.'
Work highlights
Successful defence of a professional client facing five charges of physically assaulting his two daughters.
Defended an international sportsman who had a contract in Scotland about 10 years ago, in a High Court trial for rape.
Acted in three cases at the same time for a client charged with a Section 1 under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act (DASA) in relation to coercive and controlling behaviour towards his ex-partner over a 3-year period.