Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Planning & Environment - Scotland (Bar)
What the Team is Known For
Ampersand Advocates is well regarded for the complex planning and environmental work undertaken by its advocates. Members of the stable regularly act in judicial reviews and challenges to planning permissions, and frequently act on behalf of developers, objectors, public sector bodies and energy companies. Members are regularly engaged in high-profile matters, including those relating to large renewable energy projects. Clients note the stable has "a wide and varied team with excellent expertise". Another source comments: "Ampersand have exceptionally strong planning counsel which sets them above the others".
Strengths
You get a really good personal commercial service from Alan Moffat, advocates' clerk.
The clerks are very helpful and go out of their way to help and accommodate us. They are all personable and amazing to deal with.
Alan Moffat and his team are very helpful; they come back to us very quickly and are very cooperative.
Notable practitioners
Ailsa Wilson KC is highly regarded for her work across a whole range of planning matters. She is considered to be one of the leading KCs in terms of energy work, and she regularly represents energy providers. She is also highly experienced in handling cases concerning infrastructure projects, appearing on behalf of local authorities and other public bodies.
Ailsa Wilson is quite simply exceptional. She is the go-to choice for complex planning and environmental challenges.
Ailsa is outstanding and provides really excellent advice.
Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC represents clients in the public and private sectors in planning and environmental law matters. She is particularly knowledgeable about energy-related planning issues. Her capabilities include public inquiries and judicial reviews.
Marcus McKay KC is noted for his deep planning experience and widely praised for his meticulous attention to detail. His particular focus lies in energy and environment work, and he is especially experienced in renewable energy matters. He has experience advocating in inquiries and at all levels of the court system, including the Supreme Court.
Marcus McKay is extremely strategic and good with clients, a real team player.
Nicholas McAndrew is esteemed for his growing planning practice, which includes public inquiries and planning applications. He often acts for major UK power and other utilities companies.
Nicholas McAndrew is the best planning junior at the Bar and his written work is first-class.
Nicholas is a truly fantastic junior counsel. He is extremely capable and commercially astute.