Livingstone Brown

Criminal Litigation and Inquiries Practice Area Unit

Stuart Munro is the head of the Criminal Litigation & Inquiries Practice Area Unit. With over twenty five years' experience, his main interest is in white collar crime and associated litigation.  He acted in the leading perjury case of HMA v. Coulson, which produced two hugely significant reported decisions.  He successfully represented the former administrator of Rangers Football Club in a major fraud prosecution.

His recent work has included acting for a director of a FTSE100 company and prominent politicians, and advising business owners on the impact of the Bribery Act 2010.  He currently represents a number of professionals, particularly in the fields of law, accountancy and finance, mainly (but not exclusively) in relation to allegations of financial crime.  He recognises the importance of early engagement with the authorities, where appropriate, with a view to seeking discontinuation of prosecutions.

Many of Stuart's clients are based outside Scotland.  He routinely works in conjunction with legal firms in London and elsewhere.  His involvement in cross-border cases means that he has a strong grasp of the different approaches employed in the different UK jursidictions.  He has advised clients on the operation of legal professional privilege and the basis upon which warrants can challenged.  He recently assisted an English company in successfully suspending a search warrant granted in Scotland.

Stuart has a clear strategic focus, an ability to understand complex issues, a strong legal approach, and the leadership skills necessary to command a team of lawyers and support staff working on a significant assignment.  He is a recommended lawyer in both the Legal 500 and Chambers.  He is Convener of the Law Society of Scotland's influential Criminal Law Committee.  He has a particular interest in the development and use of technology in the court process (serving also on the Society's Technology Law & Practice Committee), and routinely employs systems to support evidential analysis in complex cases.  He is supported by a team of experienced solicitors who can be urgently deployed to deal with major cases.

In addition to his criminal work, Stuart also acts for clients in civil matters connected to criminal allegations, including civil recovery proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and large-scale litigations, including commercial actions at the Court of Session.  He has represented clients in ground-breaking malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office cases.

At all times, Stuart recognises the very real impact of allegations, prosecutions and litigations on individuals and those around them. He seeks to fully understand the issue at hand, and find effective solutions.

Stuart is the managing director of Livingstone Brown.   He is a member of the Fraud Lawyers' Association and ECFL, the European Fraud & Compliance Lawyers' Association.

Qualified 1995; Partner / director since 2000; Managing partner / director since 2007.

Convener, Law Society of Scotland Criminal Law Committee; Member, Law Society of Scotland Technology Law & Practice Committee; Member, Fraud Lawyers' Association; Member, European Fraud & Compliance Lawyers' Association. Member, Criminal Courts Rules Council for Scotland