The Death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Ampersand Stable is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and join the nation in mourning her loss.
Scotland’s Young Academy welcomes 60 new members, including Usman Tariq
Ampersand’s Usman Tariq is one of 60 new members announced by the RSE Young Academy of Scotland (YAS) . The group represents some of the nation’s most innovative young professionals from across the arts, business and industry, government, the public sector, research, and academia, the third sector and beyond. They will join YAS’s existing members in realising its mission to achieve transformative societal change through citizenship, innovation, collaboration, evidence, and leadership.
Usman Tariq said “I am delighted to be admitted to the RSE Young Academy of Scotland, and excited at the prospect of being able to work with talented professionals from different backgrounds and sectors on projects that benefit Scotland, help its people and shape its future. I am also touched that the late Stephen O’Rourke QC was a member of YAS from 2018 until his untimely death last year. I had the privilege of knowing Stephen professionally and personally. While Stephen still had so much to give to Scotland, I really hope to be able to honour Stephen’s legacy by working towards the same mission that so excited him.”
Dr Margaret Cunningham, Co-Chair of YAS said ‘The Young Academy of Scotland is delighted to welcome this outstanding group of new members, whose talents and experiences will bring so much to our work. Our ongoing commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), which was diligently applied during our election process, led to diverse representation of new members from across many different sectors. We are hugely excited to see these new members bring their expertise, enthusiasm, and creativity to YAS to collaborate on new interdisciplinary projects that will achieve transformative change in Scotland and beyond.
Professor Sir John Ball, President of the RSE said ‘I am delighted to see these accomplished young professionals join the RSE Young Academy of Scotland. I am particularly delighted that YAS is continuing in its commitment to bring at-risk academic and refugee professionals into its membership. In bringing such diverse and innovative young leaders together, YAS has great potential to produce creative, fresh solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing our society.’
Yu can view the full list of new members here:
Complete list of new members (pdf)
About the Young Academy of Scotland
The Young Academy of Scotland brings together entrepreneurs, academics, business leaders, teachers, and other professionals to work collaboratively for the benefit of society.
Our mission is to help Scotland’s people and policymakers build a future that is equal, enterprising, sustainable, healthier, smarter, and international.
By sharing our knowledge and practical expertise, we investigate pressing social issues, inform public debate, amplify marginalised voices, and drive transformational change. We do this through a wide range of interdisciplinary projects, led by our members.
The Young Academy of Scotland was established by the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2011 to provide a platform for innovative young professionals from all areas of academia, business, third sector organisations and public life, to work together to address the most challenging issues facing society in Scotland and beyond.
Ampersand Advocates welcome Ayla Iridag, Scott Clair, Sheana Campbell and Louise Cockburn
Ampersand is delighted to welcome Ayla Iridag, Scott Clair, Sheana Campbell and Louise Cockburn and to the stable, following their call to the Bar today.
On the new members’ arrival, Stable Director Euan Mackenzie QC, said: “I am delighted to welcome Ayla, Scott, Sheana and Louise to Ampersand. They have all demonstrated exceptional legal ability and skills before coming to the Bar and will be an asset to the Stable. I wish them all the best in their new careers as Advocates”. Ampersand’s Practice Manager, Alan Moffat added “I am delighted to welcome our newest members of Ampersand. Their addition to our set brings the membership to 60 and the experience which each brings is a fantastic fit for Ampersand’s core areas of practice. They will be a real asset to those looking to instruct counsel. I am sure that joining Ampersand will offer them rewarding opportunities and collaborative support”.
Ayla called to the bar after a career in private practice. As a solicitor Ayla specialised in defender personal injury litigation as well as public and administrative law, health and safety law, regulatory proceedings, firearms licensing, and orders under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Ayla frequently acted as Edinburgh agent to local authorities and companies across Scotland. During her devilling Ayla gained additional experience in clinical and professional liability, contractual disputes, fatal accident inquiries, and public inquiries.
Ayla has significant experience of appearing in the Sheriff Appeal Court and in Sheriff Courts across Scotland, including the All Scotland Personal Injury Court. She has conducted numerous proofs, evidential hearings and debates as well as opposed motions and procedural hearings. Ayla has pre-qualification experience in pursuing personal injury claims and in regulation of social service workers. Ayla was also the Student Director of the Dundee Student Law Clinic, where she co-ordinated the caseload and appeared in employment tribunals for clients.
Before calling to the Bar, as a solicitor and then associate with a well-known litigation firm in Edinburgh, Scott gained substantial experience of appearing in court and regularly conducted proofs, debates and complex opposed motions including for interdict. Scott also gained experience in fatal accident inquiries and various forms of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration, adjudication and mediation.
Scott has experience in a wide range of commercial, private and public law litigation. Scott has particular interests in contract law, clinical and professional negligence, media law, private client litigation and judicial review. Scott also has an interest in legal education. Since 2021, he has tutored in Commercial Law, Public Law and Individual Rights, and Evidence at the University of Edinburgh.
Prior to calling, Sheana was a litigation solicitor for 13 years. She trained and qualified into a large commercial firm before moving to a boutique firm in 2012, where she subsequently became a director. She obtained extended rights of audience in the civil courts in 2014.
Sheana has significant experience of a broad range of commercial disputes, especially those arising out of insolvency situations. She has been regularly instructed in disputes involving contractual, partnership or company related issues. She also has experience in property disputes.
Louise qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and was a partner in a mid-sized firm in Edinburgh and Head of Planning in Scotland for a global firm before setting up her own practice in 2014.
She specialised in planning and environmental law and regularly appeared at inquiries and hearings, many into large scale renewable energy and infrastructure projects including the proposed redevelopment of the former Royal High School in Edinburgh, the Trump Organisation’s golf course at Menie and the Rosyth international container terminal. She was also the instructing solicitor in a successful legal challenge to a local plan. She is a member of the Scottish Planning, Local Government and Environmental Law Bar Group. Whilst devilling Louise focused on clinical negligence. She was involved in complex and high value cases for pursuers and for defenders, often health boards.
For further information about their practices view their profiles here:
To instruct any of them, please contact our Ampersand Clerking Team: ampersandclerks@advocates.org.uk.
Ampersand welcomes Katharine Muir
Ampersand is delighted to welcome Katharine Muir to the stable, following her calling to the Bar today.
On Katharine’s arrival, Stable Director Euan Mackenzie QC, said: “I am delighted to welcome Katharine to Ampersand. She has demonstrated exceptional legal ability and skills before coming to the Bar and will be an asset to the Stable. I wish her all the best in her new career as Advocate”. Ampersand’s Practice Manager, Alan Moffat added “I am delighted to welcome our newest member of Ampersand. Katharine’s arrival, along with 4 more additions to our set on Friday brings the membership to 60 and the experience which each brings is a fantastic fit for Ampersand’s core areas of practice. They will be a real asset to those looking to instruct counsel. I am sure that joining Ampersand will offer them rewarding opportunities and collaborative support”.
Katharine calls to the Bar after 6 years as a solicitor in private practice. As a solicitor Katharine appeared regularly in the Sheriff Courts, where she gained considerable experience of running proofs and conducting contentious hearings. Katharine’s principal area of practice is in commercial law. She has a particular interest in product liability. As a solicitor and while devilling, she worked on some of the most high-profile product liability cases in Scotland. She has also advised manufacturers on product compliance and safety, labelling and advertising.
Katharine also has experience in regulatory crime, particularly health and safety, anti-bribery and corruption, healthcare regulation and fatal accident inquiries. During her period of devilling, Katharine gained experience in judicial review, defamation, and professional and clinical negligence.
For further information about Katharine practice view her profile here:
To instruct Katharine, please contact our Ampersand Clerking Team: ampersandclerks@advocates.org.uk.
Usman Tariq one of 49 junior counsel appointed to UK Covid-19 Inquiry legal team
Ampersand is pleased to hear that Usman Tariq has been appointed along with 48 other junior counsel to join the UK Covid-19 Inquiry legal team.
The junior counsel will support Hugo Keith QC, Lead Counsel to the Inquiry, Martin Smith, Solicitor to the Inquiry, and the eleven recently appointed Queen’s Counsel with the preparation and delivery of the Inquiry’s investigative work. Usman will undertaken this work alongside has existing practice.
The full news item can be viewed here.
Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry website goes live
The Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry website is now live. The Inquiry Chair, Lady Poole said the Inquiry will carry out a fair, open and thorough investigation to establish what lessons should be learnt from the strategic response to the pandemic.
The website has details of the Counsel Inquiry team which includes Ampersand’s Douglas Ross QC and Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen QC.
The official website can be viewed here: covid19inquiry.scot