Department profile
Compass Chambers

Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries

UK Bar Guide 2026 : Scotland (Bar)


Compass Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries - Scotland (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Compass Chambers enjoys a sterling reputation in the field of inquiries and is preferred by instructing solicitors for its "wealth of experience at all levels". Indeed, the stable fields an impressive bench of advocates at both the silk and junior levels. The team has appeared in nearly all of the major public inquiries in recent years. Notably, advocates have been instructed on the Scottish and UK COVID-19 Inquiries, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, the inquiry into the death of Sheku Beyoh and the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry. The team is frequently instructed by a range of government authorities, including police constabularies, NHS trusts, local authorities, the MoD and scrutiny bodies such as the Care Inspectorate. Additionally, the advocates represent private and commercial parties and bereaved families.

Gavin Herd is the practice manager.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are extremely diligent and always able to assist.

    Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are all very responsive and usually respond on the same day.

    Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking team are always accommodating and proactive in finding suitable counsel, even at short notice.

    Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are excellent and efficient.

    Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are knowledgeable and supremely helpful.

    Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Angela Grahame
    Band 1Angela Grahame

    Angela Grahame

    Angela Grahame KC is a renowned civil litigator and clinical negligence expert. She is recognised for her prowess in high-profile public inquiries. Most recently, she has acted as Principal Counsel to the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry, appointed by Lord Bracadale.

  • Band 1Barney Ross
    Band 1Barney Ross

    Barney Ross

    Barney Ross is a highly regarded junior who has extensive experience in public and fatal accident inquiries. In recent years, he has acted on numerous high-profile matters and been instructed as junior counsel for respondent "Soldier F" in a novel form of contempt proceedings arising from the soldier's failure to appear as a witness at a Coroner's Inquest in Northern Ireland.

    • Barney Ross is a very capable junior counsel. He is a safe pair of hands.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • His client care skills are superb. I don't know anyone who doesn't like him.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Barney has a very good grasp of complex issues.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Carla Fraser
    Band 1Carla Fraser

    Carla Fraser

    Carla Fraser brings a broad range of expertise in regulatory, public, and health and safety law to inquiries. She is experienced at representing public bodies, healthcare providers and private individuals in complex and high-profile mandates. Areas of notable expertise include deaths in custody or detention and other police-related inquiries.

    • She is intelligent and sensible.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Claire Mitchell
    Band 1Claire Mitchell

    Claire Mitchell

    Claire Mitchell KC accepts high-profile public inquires and is acclaimed for her experience in human rights. Recently, she has represented bereaved families in the UK and Scottish COVID-19 Inquiries and the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry.

    • She values the team she forms and goes out of her way to ensure justice is secured. She is a fearless campaigner and wonderful communicator. The Scottish legal profession should be truly proud of her.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Claire is first class. Her client care is wonderful.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Clare Connelly
    Band 1Clare Connelly

    Clare Connelly

    Clare is commended for her inquiry prowess. Her broader practice encompasses both civil and criminal law, providing a strong skill set for high-profile inquiry work. She earns praise for her representation of bereaved families and private interested parties.

    • Claire is first class. Her client care is wonderful.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Gavin Anderson
    Band 1Gavin Anderson

    Gavin Anderson

    Gavin Anderson KC is a leading choice for representing key parties in high-profile inquiries, which is complemented by his extensive experience with health and safety prosecutions. Recently, he represented a road haulage company in a fatal accident inquiry into the death of Chloe Morrison, who was struck by the mobile crane of a passing lorry. Between 2021 and 2024, he served as a Senior Advocate Depute.

  • Band 1Kate Bennett
    Band 1Kate Bennett

    Kate Bennett

    Kate Bennet has amassed varied experience in clinical negligence and personal injury cases, which has helped to distinguish her as a sought-after junior for complex fatal accident inquiries. She is the Faculty of Advocates representative on the ASPIC Personal Injuries User Group.

    • Kate is an incredibly gifted advocate and an absolute pleasure to work with. She is pragmatic and diligent and has excellent legal expertise.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Kate is very knowledgeable and great to work with. She is very clear in her advice.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Kate has a lovely voice and manner of presenting.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Murdo Macleod
    Band 1Murdo Macleod

    Murdo Macleod

    Murdo Macleod KC is a distinguished silk in the health and safety field and a go-to choice of counsel for Scottish public authorities and private companies. Recently, he has represented core participants in several high-stakes inquiries. Macleod is also licensed to practise as a barrister in England and Wales.

    • He is extremely experienced, highly intelligent and strategically adept. He has diplomacy, discretion and tact. His advocacy is exceptionally persuasive.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Murdo is pragmatic and collaborative in his approach.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Peter Gray
    Band 1Peter Gray

    Peter Gray

    Peter Gray KC is one of the leading practitioners at the Scottish Bar in health and safety crime. He regularly acts in high-profile fatal accident and public inquiries. Most recently, he has been instructed to lead the fatal accident inquiry into the Stonehaven derailment.

    • Peter is without a doubt the leading health and safety silk at the Scottish Bar.

      Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksEmma Toner
    New SilksEmma Toner

    Emma Toner

    Emma Toner KC is recognised as a leading junior for FAI and public inquiries work. In recent years, she has acted on numerous high-profile matters, including both the Scottish and UK COVID-19 Inquiries and the Scottish Hospital Inquiry. She represents core participants, such as NHS bodies, the Care Inspectorate, HM Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland and high-ranking police individuals.

Ranked Barristers at Compass Chambers (10)

Scotland (Bar)

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership