Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries - Scotland (Bar)
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
The clerks are extremely diligent and always able to assist.
The clerks are all very responsive and usually respond on the same day.
The clerking team are always accommodating and proactive in finding suitable counsel, even at short notice.
The clerks are excellent and efficient.
The clerks are knowledgeable and supremely helpful.
Notable practitioners
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.
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.
His client care skills are superb. I don't know anyone who doesn't like him.
Barney has a very good grasp of complex issues.
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.
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.
Claire is first class. Her client care is wonderful.
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.
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.
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.
Kate is very knowledgeable and great to work with. She is very clear in her advice.
Kate has a lovely voice and manner of presenting.
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.
Murdo is pragmatic and collaborative in his approach.
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.
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.
