Ailsa Wilson KC

Year of Call: 1993
Silk: 2007

0131 260 5674
ailsa.wilson@advocates.org.uk

Photo of Ailsa Wilson KC

She is an absolutely first-class advocate...

Chambers & Partners

Ailsa Wilson KC has practised widely in various areas of the law since calling to the Bar in 1993, as reflected by the range of areas of interest. More recently, the focus of her practice has been on land-related disputes that include planning, environmental and other statutory regimes. The cases in which she has been involved, either representing parties at hearings or providing advice, cover not only statutory consents procedures but also compulsory purchase and compensation claims. She has considerable experience with infrastructure proposals for both promoters and objectors. Her experience also includes the more detailed disputes that arise from the regulatory environmental protection regime, such as appeals against decisions by SEPA.

Ailsa Wilson’s practice involves providing advice in relation to a broad range of issues that can arise from land ownership, such as property rights and contractual obligations associated with development of land. It also covers interference with property rights and recently she acted for the access authority in a test case under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 in respect of Kinfauns Estate owned by Ann Gloag.

These areas of practice often give rise to public inquiries, appeals to either the Sheriff Court or Court of Session, and applications for judicial review. Separately as a Standing Junior to the Advocate General, Ailsa Wilson has gained considerable experience in administrative and public law areas such education, immigration, human rights and competition law.

Selected recent Cases

Planning And Environmental Law

Sustainable Shetland v The Scottish Ministers (Scotland) [2015] UKSC 4 
Acted for the second respondent on appeal to the UKSC from a judicial review of a decision of the Scottish Ministers granting consent under s. 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and deemed planning permission for the construction and operation of a 103 turbine windfarm in Shetland. Outer House at [2013] CSOH 158, 2013 SLT 1173 and Inner House [2014] CSIH 60

The Beauly-Denny 400kV Overhead Line Inquiry

Public Inquiry for Ayr Racecourse
To secure consent for major commercial and residential development associated with the re-development of Ayr Racecourse.

Public Inquiry for the harbour authority in respect of a Harbour Order
For a new harbour on Raasay

Public Inquiry for Midlothian and West Lothian Councils in respect of objections to the Congestion Charging Scheme

Promoted by City of Edinburgh Council

Carlton Clubs v. Highland Council
Acting for Carlton Clubs in both the planning appeal and related judicial review of a separate grant of planning permission

Standard Life & Land Securities v. Scottish Ministers and another [2005] CSIH 33

Simson v Aberdeenshire Council and West Coast Energy [2006] CSOH 49

Ann Gloag v Perth & Kinross Council and Anthr.

Public Inquiry in respect of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route
For Transport Scotland

Renewable Energy

Sustainable Shetland v The Scottish Ministers (Scotland) [2015] UKSC 4 
Acted for the second respondent on appeal to the UKSC from a judicial review of a decision of the Scottish Ministers granting consent under s. 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and deemed planning permission for the construction and operation of a 103 turbine windfarm in Shetland. Outer House at [2013] CSOH 158, 2013 SLT 1173 and Inner House [2014] CSIH 60

The Beauly-Denny 400kV Overhead Line Inquiry

Administrative Law (including judicial review)

Sustainable Shetland v The Scottish Ministers (Scotland) [2015] UKSC 4 
Acted for the second respondent on appeal to the UKSC from a judicial review of a decision of the Scottish Ministers granting consent under s. 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and deemed planning permission for the construction and operation of a 103 turbine windfarm in Shetland. Outer House at [2013] CSOH 158, 2013 SLT 1173 and Inner House [2014] CSIH 60

Carlton Clubs v Highland Council
Acting for Carlton Clubs in both the planning appeal and related judicial review of a separate grant of planning permission

Standard Life & Land Securities v. Scottish Ministers and another [2005] CSIH 33

Simson v Aberdeenshire Council and West Coast Energy [2006] CSOH 49

Ann Gloag v Perth & Kinross Council and Anthr.

Local Government Law

Thomas Sneddon v Renfrewshire Council [2009] CSIH 40
Acted for Mr Sneddon in test case taxi licensing appeal

 

Public inquiries

Public inquiries & Fatal Accident Inquiries 

The Beauly-Denny 400kV Overhead Line Inquiry

Public Inquiry for Ayr Racecourse
To secure consent for major commercial and residential development associated with the re-development of Ayr Racecourse.

Public Inquiry for the harbour authority in respect of a Harbour Order
For a new harbour on Raasay

Public Inquiry for Midlothian and West Lothian Councils in respect of objections to the Congestion Charging Scheme
Promoted by City of Edinburgh Council

Public Inquiry in respect of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route
For Transport Scotland

Formal Investigation of FV Trident
Counsel to the Re-ordered Formal Investigation for the Advocate General and Department for Transport into the sinking of the Fishing Vessel Trident under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995

Shipping Law

Formal Investigation of FV Trident
Counsel to the Re-ordered Formal Investigation for the Advocate General and Department for Transport into the sinking of the Fishing Vessel Trident under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995

Transport & Works

Public Inquiry in respect of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route
For Transport Scotland

Practice Areas
Clerks

Contact our clerks

Normal business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

ampersandclerks@advocates.org.uk
+44 (0)131 260 5674 (switchboard 9am to 5pm)

Alan Moffat

Advocates' Clerk

Working in Office

Jennifer Dunn

Deputy Advocates' Clerk

(working days Mondays to Thursdays)

Working Remotely

Sheena Hume

Deputy Advocates' Clerk

Working in Office

Shawn McArthur

Deputy Advocates' Clerk

Working Remotely

Kathryn Ferguson

Deputy Advocates' Clerk

Working Remotely

Emma Busby

Deputy Advocates' Clerk

Working Remotely
Memberships

Standing Junior Counsel to the Department of Education and Employment: 1998 to 2007


Treasurer of the Scottish Planning Local Government Environmental Bar Group

Court and Tribunal Experience

Ailsa Wilson has appeared in the Court of Session (both in the Outer and Inner House), the Sheriff Court, the Lands Tribunal, and various other tribunals such as the Traffic Commissioners.