Mark Stewart KC
Mark is one of the foremost regulatory silks in Scotland. He is very responsive and has the ear of the court. He possesses a certain magic that is difficult to pinpoint, but clearly yields results.
Compass Chambers
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The team at Compass Chambers is routinely sought after for its established track record in handling complex regulatory criminal matters, health and safety work, and high-profile public and Fatal Accident Inquiries. Peter Gray KC and Murdo MacLeod KC are acting for various parties in the ongoing Scottish Hospitals inquiry. The ‘exceptional’ Barry Smith KC continues to advise on a broad range of complex health and safety issues. In a separate matter, Mark Stewart KC, Carla Fraser, and Elaine Smith were recently instructed in a fatal accident inquiry into the death of a Sudanese asylum seeker who was shot dead by police after stabbing five people at a Glasgow hotel where he was being housed. In a boost to the stable, Emma Toner KC took silk in September 2025, and the ’very compelling and measured’ Barney Ross KC was appointed silk in September 2026.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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.
Gavin Anderson KC
Gavin is an exceptional advocate. He has impressive and persuasive advocacy skills. He is excellent on his feet and really has the ear of the court. What really sets Gavin apart is his manner with clients. He is calm and reassuring, so clients trust that they are in safe hands in what are often stressful situations for them. Gavin is always well prepared and has very good attention to detail.
Barry Smith KC
He is completely and reassuringly unflappable. The most commanding, decisive, and articulate advocate in court and one who also gains the immediate trust and respect of clients from the first consultation. Always mindful of the sensitive nature of cases, particularly those involving fatalities, his examination of witnesses is always appropriately toned while remaining extremely effective.
Murdo MacLeod KC
Peter Gray KC
Claire Mitchell KC
Angela Grahame KC
She is a powerful advocate - she is prepared and unshakable. She embodies all the positive qualities required for an advocate.
2026 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.
Barney Ross KC
2025 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.
Emma Toner KC
Emma is extremely responsive and very client-friendly. She is technically excellent and compelling when on her feet. She is flexible and pragmatic when it comes to how she approaches her work, which is appreciated by clients.
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.
Clare Connelly
Carla Fraser
Kate Bennett
Good on her feet in court and tenacious in negotiating for her client.
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.
Elaine Smith
Elaine is a standout advocate. She is very approachable, knowledgeable, and highly effective in court. Elaine quickly gets up to speed in complex cases. She can confidently manage sensitive matters, and she has a strong grasp of the relevant considerations for each client.