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Chris was called to the Scottish Bar in 2022 as a Lord Hope Scholar and is also qualified as a barrister in England & Wales. His practice focuses on administrative and public law (including public inquiries), international law, and commercial and alternative dispute resolution.

Shortly after call, Chris was appointed Standing Junior to the Advocate General for Scotland (UK Government) in December 2022, with re-appointment in September 2024. In that role he has advised and represented the UK Government in matters ranging from immigration judicial reviews to a peerage case before the Lord Lyon. He has also acted as junior counsel to the Lord Advocate in extradition cases.

Chris has assisted in several major public inquiries, including the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry and the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry, and he is currently junior counsel to the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry.

He brings substantial international law experience. Chris previously served for over five years as an Assistant Legal Adviser at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), during which he represented the UK at the United Nations in Geneva and New York and before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in contentious proceedings. Before coming to the Bar, he also worked as a dual-qualified solicitor in London, representing private clients and States across a broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters, including arbitrations under bilateral investment treaties (BITs).

Alan Moffat, Practice Manager said: “We are thrilled to welcome Chris to Ampersand. His combination of public law expertise, hands-on inquiry work and high-level international experience is of real value to those looking to instruct counsel. Chris strengthens our offering across government, regulatory and commercial matters, and we look forward to supporting his flourishing practice.”

Ampersand is a tier-1 ranked Scottish Stable in the leading legal directories across multiple practice areas and was named “Stable of the Year” at the Legal 500 Scotland Awards 2023. With recognised depth in his core practice areas, Chris’s arrival further enhances Ampersand’s reputation as a leading choice for those seeking to instruct Scottish counsel.

View Chris Stephen’s profile here.

For enquiries about instructing counsel, please contact the Ampersand Clerking Team: ampersandclerks@advocates.org.uk.

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