Dale has 20 years’ experience in all types of criminal defence work. Starting his criminal law career working for the Crown, he has progressed from Solicitor to Advocate, undertaking a wide variety of criminal cases including murder, rape, firearms, RTA, drugs, trafficking, sexual offences and health & safety work. He has an expertise in financial crime cases. He has also been involved in a number of successful high profile appeals involving complex legal issues. Dale’s primary interest is in trial work and he has established a deserved reputation as a diligent and tenacious defence counsel.

Additional Information

Forensic Medicine, University of Glasgow
N.I.T.A. Diploma in Advocacy Skills
Diploma in Advocacy Teaching
Extensive experience in presenting Advocacy Seminars

Appointments

AD Hoc Advocate Depute – 2022 – present
Scottish Legal Complaints Commission – Scottish Government appointed Legal and Board member
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland – Investigation Tribunal member  – ICAS Regulatory Panel – 2019 – present
General Medical Council – Prosecuting Counsel for Medical Practitioners Tribunal – 2021 – present
General Teaching Council for Scotland – Legal Assessor – Disciplinary Panel – 2022 – present
Scottish Social Services Council – Legal Qualified Chair – Fitness to practice panel – 2024 – present
Scottish Social Security Chamber – Fee-paid Judge and Convener; First-Tier Tribunal – 2024 – present

Procurator Fiscal Depute
Solicitor
Former Tutor and Lecturer in Criminal Law & Procedure, University of Edinburgh
Former Sub-editor, Scots Law Times
Broad Experience in a number of high profile homicide cases/appeals
Experience in complex forensic/medical-legal issues
Frequently undertakes complex fraud/Proceeds of Crime Act cases
Leading Counsel in several murder cases

Cases

Ogilvie Petitioner 1998 SCCR187, variation of bail conditions
Bennett v HMA 2006 SCCR 62
Poole v HMA 2009 SCCR 577, concert (murder)
Reid v HMA 2009 automatism
Shepherd v HMA 2010, provocation (murder)
Khan v HM Advocate 2010 SCCR 514- character evidence
Whitson v HMA 2011, Causation – culpable homicide
Mead v HMA 2012, witness anonymity orders
Radavicius  v  HMA 2017 HCJAC 25 – video evidence (referral to 5 Judge Bench)
Francis v HMA 2017 HCJAC 63- character evidence
Rodger v HMA 2017 HCJAC 65 – SCRCC referral