Alexander Sutherland
Alex Sutherland practises in commercial law, public law (including judicial review and planning) and reparation. Selected cases are below.
He was an advocate depute, preparing and presenting cases in the High Court of Justiciary, from 2021 to 2024. He conducted over 30 trials in the High Court, including for murder, attempted murder, causing death by dangerous driving, possession of firearms and rape.
In March 2024 he was appointed as a standing junior to the Scottish Government.
In May 2020 he was appointed as a reporter for Session Cases. He contributed chapters on the sale of goods and (together with Ross Anderson) alternative dispute resolution for the second edition of Scots Commercial Law. He tutored Civil Court Practice as part of the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at Edinburgh University in 2019 and 2020.
Before calling to the Bar, Alex trained with a commercial firm in Edinburgh. He completed his LLB at Glasgow University in 2014 and the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at Edinburgh University in 2015. Before then, he studied German and English Language at Edinburgh University, during which time he spent a year studying in Vienna.
He speaks fluent German and French and is well placed to undertake work involving consideration of documents in those languages.
Back
Timothy Young
‘Timothy is a very astute operator who commands the confidence of clients and solicitors alike.’ (Chambers (2024) – Commercial Dispute Resolution)
‘His intellectual prowess and ability to quickly and competently ascertain the critical considerations of a case and the best strategy moving forward is matched with a formidable style of advocacy.’ (Chambers (2024) – Construction)
‘Timothy understands issues and is good on his feet. He is popular with both solicitors and clients and robustly puts forward his clients’ positions.’ (Chambers (2024) – Company)
‘Tim’s ability to break down complex problems and legal arguments and get to the nub of the issue is second-to-none.’ (Legal 500 (2024) – Property, Planning and Construction, Band 1)
‘He is one of the best advocates at the Bar. He is very bright and very user-friendly’ (Chambers (2023) – Commercial Dispute Resolution)
‘Tim is excellent. He is regularly instructed in public law matters and his written work is exceptional.’ (Chambers (2023) – Administrative and Public Law)
Tim Young is a leading junior counsel with particular emphasis on commercial and public law disputes.
He has acted in many of the most complex and high-value commercial disputes of recent years. He has a broad expertise in commercial contract disputes (particularly construction and IT contracts), trusts, property (including agricultural and crofting matters), banking, insolvency, and shipping and maritime law. He is also a contributing editor to leading practitioner texts in these areas, the Companies Law (reissue) and Shipping and Maritime Law (reissue) volumes of The Laws of Scotland: Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia.
He also has substantial experience of judicial review and statutory appeals in the field of public and administrative law, particularly dealing with human rights challenges, malicious prosecution cases, public procurement disputes, and professional discipline matters. As well as appearing in Court, he has appeared in a wide variety of tribunals, committees, and disciplinary hearings.
Tim has also been appointed as a Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government, and regularly appears in the courts for the Scottish Government.
He graduated with a first class honours from the University of Strathclyde. Throughout his career, he has maintained links with academia through tutoring Business Entities and Constitutional Law at both the University of Edinburgh and Napier University, and as an external examiner at Robert Gordon University. He is also the Deputy Editor of the official law report series in Scotland, Session Cases.
Back
Stephen Bell
Stephen Bell called in 1996 after 13 years in practice as a solicitor during which he was a litigation partner in firms in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. He has a wide ranging civil practice, including family law (both financial provision and child law), commercial law and reparation. He is regularly instructed in professional negligence cases, including medical negligence. He acts for and against private individuals and corporations. He also has experience of acting for and against local authorities, particularly in adoption applications. He provides written advice on a wide variety of matters.
Back
Louise Milligan
Louise Milligan has extensive advocacy experience specialising in personal injury litigation. She acts for pursuers and defenders in many cases involving personal injury and medical negligence. Prior to the Bar, Louise qualified as a solicitor in both Scotland and New South Wales in Australia. She also holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Edinburgh University. In addition, Louise has over 20 years advocacy experience including Inner and Outer House and Sheriff Court appearances in motions, proofs, jury trials, procedure rolls and reclaiming motions.
Back
Brian Fitzpatrick
Brian Fitzpatrick has a wealth of experience in civil advocacy and advice. Prior to calling at the Bar he had been a solicitor in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London for 8 years. His training principally was in personal injury cases, fatal accident and Public Inquiries and employment law. As an advocate he has continued to develop his expertise in these areas. He has a particular interest in head and spinal injuries cases. Having served as Head of Policy in the First Minister’s Policy Unit for the late Donald Dewar, Brian has a unique insight into the workings of government and policy makers at Scottish and UK levels together with bodies including the British – Irish Council and European Union. A former member of the Scottish Parliament, he is well-versed in its practice and procedures. In personal injury cases, Brian mainly acts on behalf of individual pursuers – including those supported by trade unions or on a speculative basis.
Back
Laurence Kennedy FCIArb
Laurence Kennedy called to the bar in 2000 having been a court solicitor for the previous five years. Since then he has maintained a busy court practice based on repeat instructions from a discrete group of instructing solicitors.
He was listed in Legal 500 as “outstanding”, “an effective advocate in court”, “excellent in an advisory role” and “noted for his technical competence and good legal and commercial analysis”.
He is described by agents as “professional and client friendly” and “user friendly from a solicitor’s point of view”. Agents also value his “low key, no nonsense approach”. He is “not afraid to give robust advice” and has “excellent client management skills”.
His day to day caseload focuses on property, commercial, partnership and contract disputes along with professional negligence and personal injury cases.
He has particular experience in areas of law affecting the media such as defamation, contempt of court and copyright. He was engaged for a number of years as a shift lawyer for a number of Scottish newspapers where he gave regular pre-publication advice.
He is an accredited arbitrator and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He also sits regularly as a part time Judge of the First-tier tribunal and is a legally qualified Chair for the Scottish Social Services Council.
For further details about his arbitration practice, please visit his website at laurencekennedy.com.
Back
