Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries

Ampersand Advocates continues to be a dominant player in the Scottish inquiries space. The stable offers unparalleled bench strength across seniorities, from rising star juniors to distinguished silks. The advocates have tested their mettle on several of the highest-profile mandates in recent history, including both the UK and Scottish COVID-19 inquiries, the UK Infected Blood Inquiry and the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry. Ampersand Advocates' broader public and administrative law and clinical negligence pedigree ensures that all representations are backed up by market-leading expertise. In addition to public inquiries, members are also instructed as leading counsel on independent investigations and reviews and fatal accident inquiries. An instructing solicitor notes: "The legal advice and service provided is second to none. The lawyers display a variety of skills and expertise spanning across all sectors." Clients of the stable include the Scottish Government, the Scottish Prison Service, NHS bodies and health boards, police constabularies and bereaved parties.

"The quality of service is second to none. Sheena Hume, in particular, is fantastic."

"The clerking at Ampersand Advocates is excellent."

Geoffrey Mitchell KC earns acclaim for his representation of key parties in high-profile inquiries. He possesses an impressive depth of expertise in the field. Recently, he was appointed as lead counsel to the Scottish Government on the COVID-19 inquiries. "Geoffrey isvery knowledgeable." "Geoffrey is extremely well organised, he is well spoken and he takes actions when needed."

Jamie Dawson KC accepts leading instructions in high-profile public inquiries. He garners praise for his appointment as Senior Counsel to the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, leading the Scottish 2A Module. He has also acted for core Scottish participants in the UK Infected Blood Inquiry. "Jamie does an utterly brilliant job on his feet. He's absolutely dedicated to what he does."

Jennifer Nicholson-White is a leading choice of junior for public inquiry work. She has experience acting on high-profile instructions. She is a popular choice of counsel for the Scottish Government Legal Directorate, having been appointed as a Standing Junior in 2022. She draws strength from her broader experience handling complex clinical negligence and personal injury claims. "Jennifer is an excellent junior for inquiries work." "Jenny is very good at thinking of the bigger picture, considering the implications for damages. She is very personable and easy to work with."

Lisa Henderson KC earns national acclaim for her sophisticated clinical negligence and catastrophic injury claims practices. She draws aptly on this background to advise clients on high-stakes public and fatal accident inquiries. Lisa is a qualified to practise in England and Wales. "Lisa Henderson KC is an extremely experienced lawyer with a fantastic ability to drill into the detail."

Simon Bowie KC is a distinguished senior practitioner at the Scottish Bar. He has vast experience of acting on high-profile public inquiries. In recent years, he has been instructed on both the UK and Scottish COVID-19 Inquiries and the Infected Blood Inquiry. Alongside his busy inquiry work, Bowie is a leading defender in personal injury and clinical negligence cases. "Simon Bowie KC is really fantastic; he's our go-to counsel. He's willing to work with us whenever we need him."

Susanne Tanner KC has an impressive inquiries practice. She has appeared on several of the highest-profile mandates in recent years, including the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry. In addition to her counsel work, Tanner accepts appointments as independent chair and review lead. She has deep expertise in matters concerning whistle-blowers. She is dual-qualified as a barrister in England and Wales. "Susanne Tanner KC is a leading light in public law and inquiries. She has a real clarity of style in her written and oral advocacy and an ability to digest huge amounts of information very quickly."

Ayla Iridag is viewed as a rising star. She primarily practises in the health and safety and public and administrative law spaces, but has also gained a strong reputation for inquiry work. Her representation of NHS bodies and government authorities in fatal accident inquiries has earned her plaudits from the market. Prior to being called to the bar, Iridag worked as a solicitor at a leading international law firm. "Ayla is a tenacious yet pragmatic counsel who is a delight to work with. She has a knack of achieving the best possible outcome in the particular circumstances of any given case." "Ayla is brilliant with clients and her attention to detail is superb. She's really good at getting into the complex aspects of a case." "Ayla has an excellent grasp of the law and is a pleasure to work with."

Michael Way is recognised as an up-and-coming force in the Scottish inquiry space. He punches well above his call, having been instructed on several of the highest-profile mandates in recent years, including both the UK and Scottish COVID-19 inquiries. His broader practice consists of work in a broad range of civil, commercial and public law areas, such as immigration and real estate litigation. "Michael is very articulate and intelligent. He puts a huge amount of time and effort into researching legal issues and presenting his findings. All work is of the highest quality."

Fiona Drysdale KC has hit the ground sprinting since taking silk in 2023. She has been instructed on several high-profile mandates for core participants. She is widely recognised for her prowess in the clinical negligence field. "Fiona is extremely efficient, well prepared, approachable and a pleasure to deal with." "Fiona Drysdale KC is very conscientious and pleasant to work with."

James McConnell is a highly regarded silk who regularly appears for Scottish NHS bodies and health boards in fatal accident inquiries and public inquiries with medical aspects. He has appeared on several headline mandates, including both the UK and Scottish COVID-19 inquiries, acting for NHS National Services Scotland and Healthcare Improvement Scotland. "James is a very capable and conscientious barrister."

Paul Reid KC is a go-to choice of counsel for the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service. He draws on deep expertise to adeptly represent his clients in fatal accident inquiries, often concerning prison deaths. Since taking silk in 2023, Reid has continued to go from strength to strength. Most recently, he was instructed to represent one of the most important clinical experts in the UK Infected Bloody Inquiry. "He has a really strong background in human rights law and equalities law. He is approachable, straightforward, and the court hears him and listens to him seriously."