Gary Allan KC has practised as a lawyer forforty-four years, having served his apprenticeship in Scotland’s foremost commercial solicitors’ practice in Glasgow and Edinburgh before becoming an assistant and then a partner in a leading litigation practice in Glasgow. There his experience in both civil and criminal court matters provided a solid foundation for his call to the Bar in 1994. He was appointed King’s Counsel in 2007.
He was in full time practice at the Bar from 1994 until 2007 when he accepted appointment to the Crown Office.
He served as a Senior Advocate Depute in the Crown Office between 2007 and 2011. As well as prosecuting in the High Court and in the Court of Criminal Appeal, he was appointed Crown Counsel with responsibility for advising the COPFS Health and Safety Division. He offered opinions, advised and marked (i.e. decided whether prosecution should follow ) in most of the fatal and serious cases reported for possible prosecution.
At the Bar he has practised mostly in the field of criminal law and has acted successfully for the defence in numerous serious, complex, sensitive and high profile cases both at first instance and on appeal. He has acquired a reputation as being amongst the leading practitioners at the Bar. In addition to his main skills in matters such as serious organised crime, murder and rape cases, Gary has acquired well merited recognition for his expertise in white collar, regulatory, business and financial crime including Proceeds of Crime issues and issues arising under the Bribery Act.
He is admitted to membership of the List of Counsel before the International Criminal Court.
He has represented a wide range of accused including public and local authorities and agencies, public limited companies, private companies, directors, unincorporated bodies, partners, managers and other individuals.
He has appeared for the defence in courts martial.
He has been involved in various capacities in a wide range of Fatal Accident Inquiries including the Lockerbie Air Crash Inquiry and matters arising in the oil and gas sector.
He has defended and prosecuted cases before a wide range of disciplinary and other tribunals, including those governing teachers, doctors, pharmacists, accountants, solicitors, dentists, police officers, prison officers, nurses, and farriers.
He has significant experience of appearing before employment tribunals, both for employer and employee.
He has represented individuals and sporting clubs before the disciplinary tribunals of their sporting bodies.
