Laura Anne called to the Bar in 2020, having gained experience in the fields of personal injury and medical negligence during devilling.

Prior to calling, Laura Anne practised as a solicitor for 13 years, 4 of those as a principal. For 8 years she managed the solemn business of a well-regarded firm of criminal defence solicitors, conducting or instructing in more than 200 Sheriff and Jury and High Court trials. She therefore has extensive experience of solemn trial advocacy.

As well as her experience in criminal law, Laura Anne has been involved in two of the most prominent fatal accident inquiries in recent years.

The combination of experience from these two distinct practice areas equip Laura Anne with an impressive knowledge of forensic medicine and science, psychiatry and psychology, telephony and cell-site analysis, so as to allow her to quickly master and prepare even the most factually complicated cases.

Safeena is an experienced junior with appearances ranging from the Justice of the Peace Court to the Appeal Court. As well as criminal law expertise, she has appeared in tribunals representing the Home Office, asylum seekers, immigrants, parties in employment disputes and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Safeena Rashid trained with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. She was a Procurator Fiscal Depute before devilling in 2012. Proficient in oral and written advocacy, Safeena’s career includes periods of advising the Justice of the Peace Court, giving advice to refugees in Greece, mentoring defence lawyers in Palestine and drafting legislation/policies for the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Safeena is also a keen advocate for equality, diversity, inclusion and widening access to justice. This is reflected in her legal career. With diverse experiences, she knows how to make clients feel at ease, focus on the relevant issues and provide exceptional representation.

Gareth called to the Bar in 2022 as a Lord Hope Scholar and has been instructed as defence counsel in the High Court as junior counsel alone in prosecutions of attempted murder and supplying of controlled drugs and sexual offences. He has acted as junior to senior in murder, firearms and organised crime cases.

Gareth has significant trial experience, having prosecuted both summary and sheriff and jury cases as a procurator fiscal depute in Glasgow Sheriff Court. He is well versed in leading evidence from experts, child and vulnerable witnesses in sexual and sensitive cases. He was part of the Crown team assigned to work on the 2015 Glasgow Bin Lorry FAI. Before leaving COPFS, Gareth was a senior procurator fiscal depute in Crown Office where he focused on civil matters, including the case in which the Lord Advocate’s immunity was reconsidered by the Inner House in 2019. He also has experience of working on two private prosecution applications which were brought before the High Court in 2016.

Lynsey is currently a full-time Advocate Depute, and Legal Member of the Housing Tribunal.

Lynsey has extensive experience of criminal court practice, and has dealt with a wide variety of solemn and summary first instance cases in both the High Court of Justiciary and the Sheriff Court. Since calling to the Bar in 2008, she has acted in many cases for the defence, both as junior alone and as junior with senior.  Prior to calling to the Bar she was a Procurator Fiscal Depute for a number of years.

Lynsey has a particular interest in Appeal Court work. As defence Counsel she dealt with conviction and sentence appeals, along with petitions to the nobile officium and referrals by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission.  Lynsey has also conducted many appeals for the Crown.

Prior to accepting a full-time appointment as an Advocate Depute, Lynsey had a growing civil practice, consisting of employment law, immigration law, and Fatal Accident Inquiries. Lynsey also has experience of family law and medical negligence actions.

Stewart Ronnie practised as a solicitor for 13 years before calling to the Bar. In that time he appeared in the Civil and Criminal courts and in Tribunals. At the Bar he practices mainly in the field of Criminal Law, preferring any forum involving the taking and examining of evidence. Stewart also takes a keen interest in Fatal Accident Inquiry work.

Gillian has conducted numerous complex and difficult trials.

She was involved in two prominent FAI’s namely Rose Park and the Bin Lorry.  She has a vast amount of experience in the presentation of sexual offences cases.

Between 2015 and 2019 she worked as a full time Advocate Depute, gaining skills in the preparation and presentation of a wide range of cases, including murders.  She has experience of advancing complex legal arguments and has a particular interest in the presentation of s275 applications and the taking of evidence from children and vulnerable adults.

She has previously served as Secretary to the Scottish Criminal Bar Association and played a valuable role in its development, standing down only to take up a post as an Advocate Depute.

She hopes to broaden her skill set and develop her practice in the field of sexual offences and beyond.

Prior to being admitted to the bar in 2015 Neil worked as a Prosecutor for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. He spent 11 years with COPFS as a Procurator Fiscal Depute and then Senior Procurator Fiscal Depute based in Aberdeen.

During that time he built up significant experience in the preparation and prosecution of serious and complex cases. He spent many years in the Sheriff and Jury courts and was regarded as a determined lawyer with a detailed knowledge of the criminal law. His experience covers the full spectrum of criminal work including health and safety and sexual offences.

Whilst working as a prosecutor he also spent time in the Death Units preparing and conducting Fatal Accident Inquiries on behalf of the Crown.

With regard to civil litigation whilst devilling Neil gained valuable experience in respect of both personal injury and professional negligence actions.

Since coming to the Bar in 2022, Alistair had developed a mixed civil and criminal practice. He has appeared before the Sheriff Court, Sheriff Appeal Court, High Court and Court of Session. He is approachable and is adept at managing the range of expectations in challenging situations.


Criminal Law

Alistair is available for instruction in relation to trial and appellate work. He is regularly instructed as defence counsel and has conducted trials in the High Court and Sheriff Courts throughout the country.

He has been instructed in a wide range of criminal matters, including assault, drugs offences, financial crime, road traffic offences and sexual offences. He also has an interest in regulatory crime flowing from his civil regulatory practice.


Information Law

In relation to data protection and privacy matters, Alistair has been instructed on behalf of data subjects and controllers. He has experience of acting in actions for compliance orders under the Data Protection Act 2018 as well as claims for damages under the data protection legislation. Alistair’s LLM dissertation (2015) considered the practice of the Information Commissioner in relation to Monetary Penalty Notices for breaches of the Data Protection Act 1998.

He has also advised and acted for requesters and public authorities in relation to Freedom of Information matters (including access to environmental information), both in relation to the Scottish and UK legislation.

Alistair has knowledge and experience of the First-Tier and Upper Tribunals in relation to information rights cases.


Judicial Review

Alistair has been instructed, both as a solicitor and as counsel, in relation to a wide range of judicial review matters, including in relation to Freedom of Information (where appeal is excluded by the legislation). He has also advised on or acted in cases concerning decisions of the Parole Board for Scotland, local authorities, and the Scottish Legal Aid Board. He has also been instructed in relation to a number of cases concerning decisions taken in prisoner discipline hearings.


Regulatory Law

Alistair also has experience in dealing with regulatory law cases. He has advised on and acted in cases involving care services, including where regulatory authorities have been seeking to cancel registration and appeals against decisions taken by the regulatory authorities. Additionally, he has also acted in relation to other regulatory appeals, including in relation to appeals against the SLCC and the Accountant in Bankruptcy.


Family Law

In relation to family law, Alistair’s practice mainly consists of cases concerning children, particularly complex and highly contentious actions in relation to residence and contact. He is often instructed in family law cases where there are allegations of abuse. Alistair also has experience in relation to financial provision concerning spouses, civil partners, and cohabitees. He has also acted in relation to enforcement of English Child Arrangements Orders in Scotland under the Family Law Act 1986.

Iona called to the bar in June 2024 as a Lord Hope scholar. Prior to calling, she worked in a criminal defence and family law firm and qualified as a solicitor in 2023.

While working as a trainee solicitor she regularly represented clients in Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland in both criminal and family matters. She also instructed Counsel in the High Court of Justiciary and assisted with the preparation of cases.

During devilling Iona gained particular experience in cases involving adoption and permanence, referral proceedings and residence and contact orders. Iona continued to gain experience in first instance criminal trial work in both the Sheriff and High Court.

As a devil Iona spent time at the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry and has an interest in public inquiry work.

Since calling to the bar in 1995, Victoria has been instructed as junior counsel in many of the most complex and high profile trials in Scotland (HMA v Shirley McKie, HMA v William Beggs, HMA v Luke Mitchell and HMA v Peter Tobin). Victoria relishes the challenges cases such as this provide and is known for her thorough,professional and committed approach. She also regularly appears in her own right in both Sheriff and Jury trials throughout Scotland, and in the High Court. She recently successfully challenged the methodology of what is termed “Shaken Baby Syndrome”.

In addition, Victoria currently serves as an advocate member of the Scottish Sentencing Council and is Developmental Counsel for the General Medical Council.

Victoria is an Ad Hoc Advocate Depute.