Ross is ranked by Chambers & Partners (2026) as a Band 1 junior for Commercial Dispute Resolution, Company, Real Estate Litigation, Restructuring/ Insolvency and Tax. He is also ranked in the Legal 500 (2026) as a Band 1 Leading Junior in Commercial Disputes, Administrative and Public Law, and Property and Construction.
“Ross Anderson is probably the best senior junior at the Scottish Bar” Chambers, 2026
“An absolutely first class advocate with an in-depth understanding of public law.”
“He is commercial, detailed, brilliant with clients, great on his feet and a pleasure to work with” (Legal 500, Administrative & Public Law, 2026)
“Ross is one of the best non-silks. He gives clients a lot of assurance and he is also seen as one of the leading advocates in all of Scotland” (Chambers 2025)
Ross is one of the best juniors at the Scottish Bar. He’s a joy to work with and there is no case which is too complex” (Chambers 2025)
“Ross is a go-to counsel for property disputes. He is very accessible, bright and the quality of his written work is very good. In my view, he has the experience to deal alone with complex matters.” (Chambers, 2025)
“Ross has an ability to crack on with complex factual matters and really understand the factual issues, which then allows him to be one step ahead in relation to the legal arguments.” (Chambers, 2025)
“He is a first-rate junior counsel – a go-to advocate in commercial, property and sports disputes. He is excellent to work with.” “He is incredibly intellectually sharp, and his opinions and analysis are first rate.” (Chambers 2023)
“Ross is excellent with clients; he has a brilliant ability to appease and calm clients while also being firm, decisive and straight-talking. He is very thorough and has a fantastic sense of commerciality. He is very able on his feet and he has got an amazing ability to get to grips with vast quantities of documentation and huge amounts of detail” (Chambers, 2021, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
“Highly intelligent, great with clients and very approachable.” (Chambers, Commercial Dispute Resolution, 2020)
“Very thorough and gets to grips with complex issues quickly. He’s so commercial, practical in his approach and proactive. He is hugely impressive.” (Chambers 2020)
“Very impressive ability to translate academic skills into practical advice to clients. Good on his feet as well” (Chambers, 2019) “He’s a junior with an extremely good sense of commerciality and pragmatism and has an excellent manner when dealing with solicitors and clients.” “He’s very good on particularly complex technical disputes.” (Chambers, 2018)
Ross’s practice focuses on commercial dispute resolution, company and insolvency law, property law, public law, trusts and tax. Ross is a standing junior counsel to the UK Government (having been assigned to HM Revenue & Customs from 2015-2024). He appears regularly in UK tribunals as well as in the Court of Session.
Selected cases:
NOx Emissions Group Proceedings
Junior counsel for defender manufacturer (to Roddy Dunlop KC in NOx emissions Group Proceedings (ongoing).
Trucks Cartel Proceedings
Junior counsel (to Gerry Moynihan KC) for Scottish local authorities in trucks cartel proceedings (Competition Appeal Tribunal, ongoing).
Hernia Mesh Group Proceedings
Junior counsel for defender manufacturer to Astrid Smart KC (ongoing).
Mex Group Worldwide Ltd v Ford & Ors [2024] CSOH 86 and [2025] CSOH 39
Sole counsel for German defenders in alleged unlawful means conspiracy claim for £85m arising out of consent order proceedings in the BVI; WFO proceedings at [2024] EWCA Civ 959; agent-client expenses obtained against Pursuers.
Kidd [2024] CSOH 28, 2024 SLT 347 affd [2025] CSIH 11
Junior counsel for Pursuer in 6 week proof in respect of US$150m claim for alleged unlawful means conspiracy (with Andrew Smith KC and Giles Reid).
BV10 Ltd v Allanvale Land Investments Ltd [2023] CSIH 14
Appeal in relation to application to have register of members rectified on the basis of stock transfer forms provided as CPs to loan agreement following repayment of loans
Extensive experience s 994 unfair prejudice petitions both in the Court of Session and in the sheriff courts
Junior counsel for assignee from administrators of company’s claims for breach of duty against former directors (2019-2021)
Junior counsel for defender in PBA on plea of forum non conveniens in actions brought in respect of Scottish LPs trading as London-based hedge funds (2019-2020).
Petroceltic (2017-2020) Junior counsel for defender in multiple Court of Session actions seeking eight figure sums relating to alleged breaches of directors’ duties in relation to Black Sea energy business, numerous international elements (London, Luxembourg, Malta, Italy, Turkey, Cayman Islands and Bulgaria; Note in Petition process for recall of order made under s 1 of the Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act 1972, following recall of worldwide freezing order by High Court in London: [2018] EWHC 671 (Comm); instructed for defender in four related commercial actions ($10m): [2019] CSOH 15 (junior to Roddy Dunlop QC).
Junior counsel for respondent director in Court of Session misfeasance claim under s 212 Insolvency Act 1986 (2018) (to David Thomson QC)
Northbay Pelagic Ltd, Petr (2016-2017)
Counsel for Petitioner obtaining order from Court of Session for two dawn raids under s 1 of the Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act 1972 for recovery, custody and detention of laptop computers to preserve data for use in multiple litigations in Scotland and High Court of Justice ([2018] EWHC 2038 (Ch)); junior counsel to R R McIlvride QC in s 47(2) motion for interim delivery of data; and at hearing on Petition and Answers for excerpting of data held on devices.
Junior counsel in US $10m claim for consequential losses arising out of a breach of contract (2016-2018) (Commercial Roll, Court of Session)
Sole counsel for defenders in various Court of Session cases involving six and seven figure claims for damages to sub-sea cables
L Ltd (2025)
Administration order obtained for QFC holder following appointment of interim provisional liquidator.
Turnbull, Petr [2024] CSOH 37. Sole counsel for successful respondents to “just and equitable” winding-up petition.
P Ltd (2023) Sole counsel re effect of Part 26A Restructuring Scheme on action for implement of lease
LD Partnership v Royal Bank of Scotland plc [2023] CSOH 7
Sole counsel for Respondent successfully opposing to petition raising historical claim relating to conduct of Respondent’s GRG.
Alexander Inglis and Son Ltd (in administration) (2021): sole counsel for purchasers of commodities from company in administration; motions under s 47(2) Court of Session Act for interim delivery of commodities from warehouses in England pending resolution of petition for directions
B Ltd (2021): sole counsel for administrators seeking directions in relation to request for holding of in person creditors meetings in context of COVID restrictions.
Advice in relation to disclaimer of English land by Liquidator of a Scottish company (2020).
@Sipp (Pension Trustees) Ltd v Campbell, 2016
Sole counsel for Pursuer against senior counsel for the Defender; successfully opposing argument that Pursuer pension fund had no title to sue to enforce loan and heritable security following restructuring of fund.
Joint Liquidators of the Scottish Coal Company Ltd v Scottish Environmental Protection Agency 2014 SC 372
Junior counsel for the liquidators in Note for directions to disclaim ownership of Scottish land to which significant environmental liabilities attached (to D P Sellar QC).
Nicol’s Worsteds Ltd v HLT Stakis Operator Ltd [2025] CSOH 116
Junior counsel (to DM Thomson KC) successfully opposing declarators at a preliminary proof in relation to a video schedule of conditions in dilapidations dispute.
Arbitration Application No 3 of 2024 [2025] CSOH 7
Junior counsel for Respondent successfully opposing application for leave.
Arbitration Appeal No 1 of 2025 [2025] CSOH 86, 2025 SLT 1359
Successful opposition to legal error appeal.
Forestry and Land Scotland v JJO Moriston Ltd [2024] LTS 16
Sole counsel for interested party in opposition to appeal for rectification of the Land Register.
Intu Braehead Ltd (2022-2024)
Junior counsel for landlord in relation to recovery of possession of Braehead ski centre (to Alasdair Burnet KC); sole counsel in commercial court guarantee proceedings; sheriff court multiplepoinding proceedings to assert landlord’s hypothec.
Lujo Properties Ltd v Gruve Ltd 2023 SLT (Sh Ct) 31
PBA on landlord’s right to irritate lease during COVID; pre-irritancy notice returned as undelivered; tenant alleging waiver and personal bar and oppression.
Ventgrove Ltd v Kuehne + Nagel Ltd [2022] CSIH 40, [2022] STC 1765
Sole counsel for intervener in relation to validity of exercise of break option for an amount “plus VAT properly due”.
MXM Property Solutions Ltd v Malik [2022] UT 24
Successful appeal for factor in relation to competence of use of NOPLs for outstanding factoring charges in relation to one of largest residential developments in Scotland.
Sole counsel in various commercial actions for specific implement of keep open obligations in commercial leases and associated s 47(2) motions.
Leafrealm Land Ltd v City of Edinburgh Council [2021] CSIH 24 affg [2020] CSOH 34
Junior counsel for Pursuer in proof and reclaiming motion re alleged ransom strip in central Edinburgh (to Roy Martin QC and Jonathan Lake QC).
Club Los Claveles v First National Trustee Company Ltd 2020 SC 504 affg [2019] CSOH 66
Sole counsel in action seeking specific implement of execution of deed of assumption, retirement and conveyance of professional trustee in timeshare structure following notice of termination of appointment.
Legal & Equitable Nominees Ltd v Scotia Investments LP [2019] SAC (Civ) 23, 2019 SLT (Sh Ct) 193
Question of validity and sufficiency of calling up notices served on English limited partnership and its general partner.
Butlers Ship Stores Ltd v HMRC [2025] UKFTT
Successful strike out of appeal
McCann Media Ltd v HMRC [2024] UKUT 94 (TCC), [2024] STC 809 affg [2022] UKFTT 104 (TC)
Sole counsel for HMRC in UT and FtT successfully opposing IR35 appeal of PSC sports broadcaster
Moulsdale v Revenue & Customs Commissioners [2023] UKSC 12, [2023] 1 WLR 1264 affg 2022 SC 167
Counsel for Commissioners in IH and UKSC successfully opposing appeal concerning proper construction of anti-avoidance provisions in Sch 10 VATA (junior to David Thomson KC)
Revenue & Customs Commissioners v NHS Lothian [2022] UKSC 28, 2023 SC (UKSC) 15
Successful appeal for HMRC dealing with historical Fleming claims: standards of proof and evidence of input tax claims; EU law principle of effectiveness and state fault (junior to David Thomson KC).
DCM (Optical Holdings) Ltd v Revenue & Customs Commissioners 2023 SC (UKSC) 1 affg 2021 SC 123
Successful for HMRC in relation to implied statutory powers in relation to VAT assessments and repayment credits; upheld in Supreme Court (junior to David Thomson KC).
Balhousie Holdings Ltd v Revenue & Customs Commissioners [2021] UKSC 11, 2021 SC (UKSC) 15
Construction of sale and leaseback under sch 10 VATA. Presented oral submissions to the Supreme Court (junior to Kieron Beal QC).
M v Revenue & Customs Commissioners [2021] UKFTT 130 (TC)
Sole counsel in week long evidential hearing opposing appeal against discovery assessments
HMRC v Frank A Smart & Son Ltd [2019] UKSC 39, [2019] 1 WLR 4849 affg 2018 SC 229 affg [2016] STC 1956
Question of whether VAT input incurred on acquisition of Single Farm Payment Entitlements deductible (junior to Kieron Beal QC).
Clark’s Executors v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 473 (TC)
Sole counsel for HMRC against leading English tax counsel, successfully opposing appeal that termination payment of £18 million was a payment on account of disability under sections 401 and 406 ITEPA.
Glasgow School of Art v HMRC [2019] UKUT 173 (TCC), [2019] STC 1284
Sole counsel for HMRC successfully opposing appeal against senior counsel for the Appellant in relation to proper characterization of VAT supply.
Redwood Birkhill Ltd v HMRC [2018] UKUT 189 (TCC), [2018] STC 1445
Sole counsel for HMRC successfully opposing appeal against senior counsel for Appellant in relation to proper characterization of VAT supply.
Butlers Ship Stores Ltd v HMRC [2018] UKUT 0058 (TCC) affg [2016] UKFTT 501 (TC)
Sole counsel for HMRC before FtT and UT in designated complex case dealing with the interaction of the Community Customs Code, the Excise Duty Directive and domestic law concerning duty liability of £1.7m
HMRC v Findmypast Ltd 2018 SC 24 affg [2016] STC 1107
VAT supply – online credits – whether face value vouchers (with Sean Smith QC)
Pattullo v HMRC [2016] STC 2043, PTA refused: [2017] CSIH 3
Sole counsel for HMRC successfully opposing appeal challenging discovery assessment for tax avoidance scheme involving capital redemption contracts.
Greenpeace Ltd, Uplift v Secretary of State and the Oil and Gas Authority [2025] CSOH 10, 2025 SLT 303
Junior counsel (to Kenny McBrearty KC) for Interested Party in judicial review challenging validity of EIA for Rosebank development in North Sea following decision in R (Finch) v Surrey County Council [2024] UKSC 20. Reduction granted with suspensive prospective effect.
Averbuch v City of Edinburgh Council [2023] CSOH 35, 2023 SLT 665
Junior counsel (to Morag Ross KC) for petitioner in successful judicial review of short-term lets licensing policy
SO v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2019] CSIH 36 affg [2018] CSOH 50
Sole counsel for SSHD at first instance and in Inner House obtaining dismissal of petition for judicial review of refusal of Article 8 private life medical claim.
Abdullahi v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] CSOH 38
Sole counsel for the Secretary of State in bias challenge to decision of FtT judge.
Morrison v Alistair Carmichael MP 2016 SC 585 and 598 (Election Court)
Junior counsel (to Roddy Dunlop QC) for Respondent MP successfully opposing first Westminster election petition in Scotland in fifty years
1787/15 Paul Lamb v United Kingdom (2015) 61 EHRR SE7
Drafted Mr Lamb’s ECHR application following decision of UKSC in R (Nicklinson) [2015] AC 657 (junior to Andrew Smith QC)
Ross, Petitioner [2015] CSOH 123, 2015 SLT 617
Junior counsel for petitioner in judicial review of Lord Advocate’s guidance on prosecutions for assisted suicide (to Aidan O’Neill QC)
Acted for Secretary of State for the Home Department in over forty judicial reviews in immigration matters
Counsel in various international and domestic arbitrations; ancillary court applications, including registration of ICSID award; party appointed arbitrator.
- Administrative & Public Law
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Banking, Finance and Pensions
- Civil Liberties, Human Rights and EU Law
- Commercial Dispute Resolution
- Company
- Construction
- Information Technology
- Intellectual Property
- International Law
- Professional Liability
- Real Estate Litigation
- Restructuring/Insolvency
- Shipping
- Tax
- Trusts and Succession
Contact our clerks
Normal business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
ampersandclerks@advocates.org.uk
+44 (0)131 260 5674 (9am to 5pm)
Alan Moffat
Advocates' Clerk
Sheena Hume
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
Kathryn Ferguson
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
Bonnie McCracken
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
Kayley Mason
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
- LLB (Hons), PhD, DipLP, University of Edinburgh
- FCIArb
Languages
- German
- French
- Equality and Human Rights Commission Panel of Counsel (2019 – 2023)
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) (2017 – present)
- Standing Junior to the Advocate General for Scotland – HMRC (2015 – present)
- UK representative to CCBE European private law committee
- Honorary Research Fellow, School of Law, University of Glasgow (2014 – present)
- Fellow, European Law Institute
- Member, Scottish Arbitration Centre
- Visiting Professor of Immovable Property Law, Institute of Law, Jersey (2010 – 2015)
- Snell Visitor, Balliol College, Oxford (2012)
- Convenor, Obligations Sub-Committee, Law Society of Scotland (2010 – 2012)
- Former Solicitor and Lecturer in Corporate and Financial Law, University of Glasgow
- Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law, Hamburg, Research Assistant (2003 – 2004), Research Fellow (2012)
UK Supreme Court, Court of Session, Election Court, Sheriff Appeal Court, Upper Tribunal (TCC), Scottish Land Court, Sheriffs Principal, sheriff courts, First-tier Tribunal, Employment Tribunal, domestic and international arbitrations
Selected Publications
- R G Anderson (ed) Scots Commercial Law (2nd edn 2022), author of chapters on ‘Juristic Persons’, ‘Partnerships, LLPs and LPs’, ‘Money and Debt’, ‘Corporate Insolvency’ and ‘ADR’
- ‘Borrowing on the Undertaking: Scottish Statutory Companies’ in MacPherson/Hardman (eds) Floating Charges in Scotland (2022)
- ‘Schottland und Europa nach Brexit’ in Kramme/Baldus/Schmidt-Kessel (eds) Brexit: Privat- und Wirtschaftsrechtliche Folgen (2nd edn 2019) § 25 (with Alex Sutherland)
- “Formation of Contract” in S Vogenauer (ed) Commentary on the Unidroit Principles of International Commercial Contracts (PICC) (2nd edn 2015)
- ‘Juristic Persons’, ‘Partnerships, LLPs and LPs’, ‘Money and Debt’, and ‘Corporate Insolvency’ in I MacNeil (ed) Scots Commercial Law (2014)
- Words and Concepts: Trust and Patrimony’ in A Burrows, D Johnston and R Zimmermann (eds) Judge and Jurist: Essays in Memory of Lord Rodger of Earlsferry (2013)
- ‘Fundamental Rights of Juristic Persons’ in E Reid and D Visser (eds) Private Law and Human Rights: Bringing Rights Home in Scotland and South Africa (2013)
- ‘Security over Bank Accounts in Scots Law’ (2010) 4 Law and Financial Markets Review 593-604
- Assignation (2008)
- ‘Contractual Liability of Trustees’ 2003 Juridical Review 45-55
Numerous other articles, notes and reviews in legal journals
Lectures
- Commercial Disputes and Arbitration, Faculty Arbitration Conference (2019)
- Contractual Interpretation, Global Law Summit, London (2015)
- Security over Intangibles, Paul-André Crépeau Centre for Private and Comparative Law, University of McGill, Montréal, and Quebec Bar Association, Canada (2013)
- Performance Remedies under the Common European Sales Law, Würzburg, Germany (2012)
- Fundamental Rights of Juristic Persons, Stellenbosch, South Africa (2011)
- Ross has lectured on the LLB, the Diploma in Legal Practice, and on the Corporate and Financial Law LLM at Glasgow University, teaching courses on Company law, Commercial law, Property and trusts law; Debt Finance and Corporate Restructuring