Optimum Advocates,
Glasgow High Court,
1 Mart Street,
Saltmarket,
Glasgow.
G1 5JT
Callum called to the bar as a Lord Hope scholar in 2021.
Since calling to the bar, Callum has very quickly established himself and is an extremely well instructed defence Counsel. He regularly conducts trials as junior alone and appears as junior to senior Counsel in a range of extremely serious cases. Callum is already regarded by his colleagues as a very able junior Counsel who is fearless in the conduct of his cases. His legal analysis and thorough approach to case preparation make him an invaluable resource to the senior Counsel he works with.
As a trial Counsel, Callum defends a range of cases, including allegations relating to sexual offences, the misuse of drugs, serious financial crime, violence, firearms, and serious organised crime. He has demonstrated an ability to prepare cases under significant time pressure and is recognised for his personable advocacy style.
As well as his busy defence practice, Callum was recently appointed as an ad hoc Advocate Depute and is now gaining experience prosecuting cases. His appointment in this capacity at a relatively early stage in his career as an Advocate demonstrates the high regard in which he is already held. Experiencing criminal trials from both sides of the table will undoubtedly increase his skillset.
Prior to calling to the bar, Callum worked as a solicitor for 6 years. He trained at a personal injury practice, before spending 5 years at a leading criminal defence firm in Glasgow. He appeared daily in Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland and regularly instructed Counsel in the higher courts. He was part of a team representing a core participant at the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry, and has been appearing in the Employment Tribunal since he was a member of the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic. In addition, Callum has appeared in the Mental Health Tribunal, before the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, and in the All Scotland Personal Injury Court.
Callum acts in cases funded by insurers, privately, and via the Scottish Legal Aid Board.