News

We are delighted to welcome Chris Farrell, Eve Gilchrist and Iain Cahill to the stable today. Chris calls to the Bar after 12 years as a solicitor. He practised primarily in criminal litigation. He has extensive experience of trial advocacy in a wide range of matters,...

Lynsey Morgan recently acted for the successful pursuer in an action brought under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016. Section 65 of the Act applies where an adult dies and has not made arrangements to what should happen to their remains. The pursuer was the...

Edward Targowski KC reached this extraordinary milestone on 19th December 2025.   Ed called to the Scottish Bar in 1975 and was appointed King’s Counsel in 1989. His early career took him to the Seychelles between 1983 and 1985 where he held the position of...

Following the recent UKSC decision on Tuesday concerning S275 applications, our Deirdre Flanigan appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court within 24 hours of the judgment being released to persuade the trial sheriff that a previously refused application should now be accepted...

Essential reading for anyone in the profession in the form of the landmark ruling from the United Kingdom Supreme Court considering the approach of the courts in Scotland to the admission of evidence in sexual offence cases. The first appellant was represented by...

Our very own ray of sunshine Nicole, celebrates 10 years with Faculty. We are delighted that the last 3.5 years have been spent with us at Optimum. Congratulations Nicole!

Today we welcome Clara Smeaton to Optimum. We are looking forward to working with Clara and are delighted to have her join us.  

We are delighted to celebrate a golden milestone for a legal legend! Today marks 50 years since Donald Findlay KC was called to the Scottish Bar. Widely regarded as one of Scotland’s most formidable criminal defence advocates, Mr Findlay KC has built a career defined...

We are delighted to welcome Shaun Alexander, Dominic Burke, Kevin Jarvis, Graham Macdonald, Sandy Orgill and Nicola Ross to the stable today. Mr Alexander calls to the bar as a Lord Hope Scholar, having spent five years as a Procurator Fiscal Depute, including three...

At 26, Iona is one of the youngest female advocates in Scotland. Iona specialises in both criminal and family law; an unusual combination, and one that many aspiring female advocates may not consider. “Getting to this point has been a long and sometimes daunting...