Scott Clair

Year of Call: 2022

07855 973496
scott.clair@advocates.org.uk

Photo of Scott Clair

Scott Clair called to the Bar in 2022 as a Lord Hope Scholar.

He has experience in a wide range of commercial, private and public law litigation. In the course of devilling, Scott was involved in a variety of complex and high-value cases including commercial disputes, clinical and professional negligence claims, regulatory, human rights and constitutional law cases. Scott has a particular interest in the latter and, whilst devilling, worked on a number of high-profile judicial review cases including a legislative competence challenge to an Act of the Scottish Parliament, a challenge to Scotland’s Census 2022 and the first removal of a judicial office holder under the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.

He has appeared as sole counsel before the Sheriff Courts, the Sheriff Appeal Court, the Court of Session (both Outer House and Inner House), and during devilling assisted with the preparation of cases before the UK Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.

Before calling to the Bar, as a solicitor and then associate with a well-known litigation firm in Edinburgh, he 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 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.

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 (9am to 5pm)

Alan Moffat

Advocates' Clerk

Working Remotely

Jennifer Dunn

Deputy Advocates' Clerk

(working days Mondays to Thursdays)

Working Remotely

Sheena Hume

Deputy Advocates' Clerk

Working Remotely

Shawn McArthur

Deputy Advocates' Clerk

Working Remotely

Kathryn Ferguson

Deputy Advocates' Clerk

Working in Office

Emma Busby

Deputy Advocates' Clerk

Working in Office
Qualifications

Academic

  • 2015: Dip LP, University of Edinburgh
  • 2014: LLB (First Class), University of Edinburgh

Scholarships/Awards

  • 2021/2022: Lord Hope Scholar
Experience

2024 – present: Appointed Standing Junior Counsel to the Advocate General for Scotland

2022 – present: Member, Faculty of Advocates

2021 – 2022: Devil, Faculty of Advocates

Devilmasters

  • Paul Reid (principal)
  • Ewen Campbell (subsidiary)
  • Michael Anderson (criminal)

2019 – 2021: Associate, Balfour+Manson LLP

2017 – 2019: Solicitor, Balfour+Manson LLP

2015 – 2017: Trainee Solicitor, Balfour+Manson LLP

(Seats in Medical Negligence/Personal Injury, Commercial Property and Commercial Dispute Resolution)

Appointments

2021 – 2023: Tutor, University of Edinburgh (“Commercial Law”, “Public Law and Individual Rights”, “Evidence” and “International Law”)

Languages
  • Italian (basic)
  • French (basic)