Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Administrative & Public Law - Scotland (Bar)
What the Team is Known For
Ampersand Advocates houses highly praised practitioners who are skilled at acting in public law cases involving significant constitutional and human rights issues. The stable is praised for its "significant expertise across a range of specialisms", and members frequently appear before the highest courts in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK. In recent months, members acted on behalf of For Women in the Supreme Court challenging guidance in relation to the definition of a 'woman' under the Equality Act 2010.
Strengths
The clerks go out of their way to help and accommodate us. They are all personable and amazing to deal with, especially Alan Moffat.
The clerking team are great: highly contactable, responsive and pragmatic.
The clerking team are great. They are all lovely, helpful and prompt.
Ampersand Advocates' clerks are very responsive and straightforward. Sheena Hume in particular is very easy to deal with.
Ampersand has friendly, approachable and knowledgeable clerks.
Notable practitioners
Douglas Ross KC has extensive experience representing the Scottish Government in complex judicial reviews. He also accepts instructions from petitioners. He has particular expertise in public law cases involving prisons and human rights law. Public international law is another notable area of focus.
Douglas has a really good focus on detail but also can take complicated issues and make them sound straightforward.
Douglas is a pre-eminent public law silk instructed in the most important cases with maximum public impact and constitutional significance. His submissions are a model of clarity and persuasion.
Douglas is very skilled, insightful and possesses a strong critical faculty.
Both Douglas's written and oral advocacy is first-rate.
Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC is an impressive advocate who operates a broad public law practice drawing on commercial, planning, environmental and human rights expertise. She acts for petitioners and respondents and is also active in prominent public inquiries.
Her knowledge and ability to get her head around very complex concepts is extremely impressive. She is truly outstanding.
Laura-Anne is an excellent choice of senior. She is an absolute master of the detail while providing clear guidance on strategy.
Michael Way boasts a broad administrative and public law practice where he is sought after by government bodies and charities. He draws upon his expertise in planning and real estate.
Michael is a hugely personable junior and a pleasure to work with.
Ian Forrester KC's return to private practice is a highly significant development for the Scottish Bar. Until 2020, he sat for the UK on the Bench of the General Court of the European Union. To the Faculty of Advocates he brings immense experience of legal practice in a host of areas, including competition and international trade law.
Paul Reid KC garners praise for his strong expertise in judicial review. He is experienced in the representation of government departments and other public bodies in a broad range of matters ranging from constitutional and EU law to professional regulation and procurement.
I instruct Paul in legally trickier matters where I'm looking for forensic close attention to detail.
Paul is an excellent advocate. He is a pleasure to work with and makes a difficult case feel much easier to handle.
Usman Tariq KC has a busy public and administrative law practice, in which he acts mostly for central government. He has strong experience of judicial reviews concerning EU, human rights and immigration law.
Usman is a standout. He is really bright, analytical and unbelievably calm.