1
Robert Howie KC
Ampersand AdvocatesAmpersand Advocates is ‘a very well regarded stable in the planning law area’, and has a solid track record in advising on high-profile real estate disputes and development and infrastructure projects in Scotland. Marcus McKay KC is well-known for assisting energy companies with the planning aspects of prominent energy infrastructure projects. Ailsa Wilson KC is ‘one of the most experienced and sought after planning advocates in Scotland’. Timothy Young acted as junior counsel for the pursuers in Wilson & Anor v McAteer, concerning a challenge to an asserted servitude right over an access road in the pursuers’ land; the court found in favour of the pursuers. Ross Anderson is well-versed in advising on property law matters, and has been kept busy handling contentious real estate issues. Malcolm Thomson KC retired in April 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Alan Moffat is excellent.'
- 'Alan Moffat is a stand-out clerk.'
- 'Alan Moffat goes out of his way to assist. Shawn McArthur is great to deal with and takes a proactive approach when it comes to finding suitable dates and assisting with availability of counsel.'
- 'Emma Busby is particularly helpful and always very responsive.'
- 'Emma Busby is a star.'
- 'Ampersand Advocates is extremely impressive.'
- 'Ampersand has a distinct and reputable presence across construction, property and planning disputes.'
- 'Ampersand is an exceptional stable.'
Silks
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
1
Ailsa Wilson KC
Ampersand Advocates 'Ailsa is able to deal with challenging issues, quickly gets to the heart of a problem and provides sound practical advice.'
2
Marcus McKay KC
Ampersand Advocates2
Laura-Anne Van Der Westhuizen KC
Ampersand Advocates 'Laura-Anne combines strategic, commercial thinking with excellent legal knowledge and the ability to present complex arguments in a clear and concise manner.'
Juniors
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
1
Eoghainn MacLean
Ampersand Advocates1
Nicholas McAndrew
Ampersand Advocates 'He is very responsive and user friendly with a real talent for putting clients at ease. An impressive advocate.'
1
Ross Anderson
Ampersand Advocates1
Timothy Young
Ampersand Advocates 'He is a fierce litigator who puts forward the best case on behalf of clients at all times.'
2
Giles Reid
Ampersand Advocates 'Giles has an encyclopedic knowledge of property law, and his advice is pragmatic, commercially aware and tactically sound.'