Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC
Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC has a civil practice with particular emphasis on commercial law, planning and environmental law and public law. She is currently ranked in five separate practice areas by Chambers UK and is Legal 500 Scotland Awards 2023 Silk of the Year. She was the Legal 500 Scottish Bar Junior of the Year in 2020.
Since calling to the bar in 2009 Laura-Anne has been instructed in a variety of commercial matters including company and insolvency matters, contractual disputes, shipping matters and tax appeals. She has represented both developers and planning authorities in planning matters, petitioners and respondents in a range of judicial review proceedings, and interested parties and core participants in fatal accident and public inquiries.
Laura-Anne has extensive advocacy experience. Before calling to the Scottish Bar she practised as an Advocate in South Africa and she called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2008. She has appeared in the UK Supreme Court, the Court of Session (Inner and Outer House), the Scottish Land Court, the Sheriff Court and various tribunals and inquiries.
She was on the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s panel of counsel from 2015 to 2023 and was a Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government from 2015 to 2021.
In March 2022 Laura-Anne was appointed as Co-Lead Counsel to the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry.
Selected Cases
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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.
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Sheena Hume
Sheena joined Ampersand in 2015. Prior to joining us, Sheena worked at a top Edinburgh Law firm, initially as a trainee then as a Solicitor in their Employment Department. Sheena holds a LL.B and Legal Practice Diploma from the University of Edinburgh.
Sheena’s legal experience provides her with ideal insight to assist with all inquires in relation to instructing counsel. Sheena brings a friendly and professional service to the Clerking team and is always ready to assist.
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Shawn McArthur
Shawn McArthur joined Ampersand in 2018. Prior to joining Ampersand Shawn was a Legal Secretary at a global law firm, based in Edinburgh, working Dispute Resolution and prior to that worked in Property and Insolvency teams.
Shawn brings a friendly outlook and efficient work ethic to the team.
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Jennifer Dunn
Jennifer Dunn joined Ampersand in 2007. She holds an honours degree in politics and completed a paralegal qualification in Civil Court Practice. With over 15 years experience in the legal sector, including time as a Legal Secretary in a firm of Edinburgh solicitors, Jennifer has an extensive knowledge of all aspects of instructing counsel.
Jennifer’s personable outlook and efficient manner has established her as an important member of the Clerking team.
Jennifer works Mondays to Thursdays.
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Alan Moffat
Alan Moffat heads up the Ampersand Clerking team. With over 25 years experience in the legal sector, Alan has been with the stable since 2000 – initially as deputy clerk and taking over as head clerk in 2007. Alan previously worked at the Sottish Legal Aid Board. Alan holds an LL.B with Distinction and paralegal certificates in civil court practice and criminal law. He is the Legal 500 Scotland Awards Clerk of the year 2024.
Alan has in-depth knowledge of fees in privately funded cases, judicial expenses and legal aid funding. He regularly attends taxations before Auditors of Court and negotiates accounts on behalf of counsel.
Alan has particular interests in LegalTech and Wellbeing and sits on the Law Society of Scotland’s LawscotTech Advisory Board and on the Faculty of Advocates Wellbeing Committee. He has spoken regularly for the Law Society of Scotland’s ‘CPD for New Lawyers’ series, on instructing advocates and is happy to provide insight into the bar for trainee and newly qualified solicitors.
During his career, Alan has built up an extensive knowledge of legal practice, providing him with the tools to assist Ampersand’s instructing agents and members. Alan’s knowledge of members’ practises and fees means he is well placed to assist with all inquiries in relation to instructing counsel.
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