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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Alan Moffat is an excellent clerk.'
  • 'Alan Moffat is superb.'
  • 'Clerks are always helpful and pleasant to deal with.'
  • 'The clerks are very helpful.'
  • 'The stable is very responsive and provides a good service.'
  • 'An excellent stable.'

Lawyers

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

2
Isla Davie KC
She is a very skilled performer in court - her manner with witnesses when taking evidence is excellent.'
2
Jamie Dawson KC
2
Lisa Henderson KC
2
Geoffrey Mitchell KC
A silk whose calm and amiable manner fronts a razor sharp mind.'
2
Paul Reid KC
An all-round super advocate.'
2
Simon Bowie KC
Clients respond to his calm authority and trust him to fight their cases.'
2
Una Doherty KC
A steel fist in a silk glove.'
2
Fiona Drysdale KC
2
Susanne Tanner KC
An expert in her field.'

2024 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1
James McConnell KC
1
Usman Tariq KC
An able advocate who is good on his feet.'

Leading Juniors

Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.

1
Ayla Iridag
Ayla is a very assured and knowledgeable junior. She has analytical abilities beyond her year of call.'
2
Shane Dundas
2
Jennifer Nicholson-White

Rising stars

Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.

1
Michael Way