Levy & McRae

Criminal Law

Head of Private Crime. Partner & Solicitor-Advocate

Neil specialises in criminal law, complex regulatory crime, fraud and financial crime, historical allegations and road traffic cases. Neil has a very substantial referral practice and is instructed by, and acts for, leading law firms in Scotland and England, as well as internationally for clients requiring his expertise. He is particularly highly regarded for his skill and experience in defending domestic, sexual and financial cases and allegations.

As the solicitor of choice for law firms seeking to refer criminal law matters, including Magic Circle firms, the focus of Neil’s work is always on discretion and confidentiality, with the aim of avoiding court prosecutions and protecting reputations. If court proceedings cannot be avoided, Neil has vast experience of successfully representing clients in Scottish courts at all levels, including acting in High Court prosecutions and in the Criminal Appeal court.

His individual clients are usually professional, high-profile or of high-net-worth. Corporate clients include FTSE100 companies, insurance companies, unions, partnerships, other law firms, government institutions, religious organisations, pressure groups and charities.

Specialist services include advice and representation at interviews for individuals and organisations facing investigation or prosecution by authorities such as Police Scotland, the Procurator Fiscal, HSE, SEPA, OSCR and the pensions regulator.  This work entails detailed case investigations to identify and evaluate important evidence from witnesses, documents or electronic sources and negotiating with authorities to keep a case out of court. Additionally, Neil also provides specialist advice to clients (individuals or corporates) outside the UK, for instance in Europe, the Middle East and in the United States.

Many of Neil’s cases are international and cross-jurisdictional, reflecting the lifestyle of individual clients and the operations and interests of global corporations. As well as being a formidable courtroom advocate, Neil is an expert at managing reputational issues and negotiating out of court settlements wherever possible.  All of this makes him the defence lawyer of choice for people and organisations in the public eye.

Partner & Solicitor-Advocate

Levy & McRae Solicitors, Edinburgh. Jan 2022 - Present 

Director & Solicitor-Advocate

MTM Defence Lawyers, Edinburgh. Sep 2001 - Jan 2022 

English

Member - The Fraud Lawyers Association (UK). Feb 2020 - Present Member - Health & Safety Lawyers Association (UK). Jun 2019 - Present Advanced Trial Skills Advanced Trial Skills

National Institute for Trial Advocacy National Institute for Trial Advocacy Issued Oct 2009 · No Expiration Date

Extended rights of audience in the Supreme Courts

The Law Society of Scotland. Issued Jun 2006 · No Expiration Date

Advanced Advocacy

National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Issued Mar 2005 · No Expiration Date

The University of Edinburgh - Diploma in Legal Practice 1994 - 1995

University of Glasgow - LLB, Law 1992 - 1994

University of Dundee - M.A. (Hons) , Political Science and Modern History 1988 - 1992

Neil is active in promoting the legal profession and has a long-standing interest in legal education. He has lectured in the law of Evidence and in Court & Tribunal advocacy at Scottish universities, and he has a particular interest in improving access to the legal profession for under-represented groups. Neil regularly speaks at legal conferences and writes articles for legal journals.