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.
Ampersand Advocates welcomes Ian Forrester QC back to practice
Ampersand Advocates is delighted to welcome back to practice Ian Forrester QC.
Mr Forrester is a renowned lawyer in European and Competition law and returns to practice following his appointment as the UK nominated Judge to the General Court of the European Union ending due to Brexit. He brings an unrivalled wealth of knowledge and experience for any instructions, and expects to concentrate on advisory and Arbitration work, including appointment as an Arbitrator.
On his return to Practice, Mr Forrester said: “It is fun to return to practice. When in Luxembourg, I discovered that my colleagues were well acquainted with the special status and history of Scots law. They were supportive and generous during the turbulent steps leading to Brexit, a political act which leaves unsettled dozens of important legal questions of great significance for many people in different walks of life. I look forward to re-entering the community of senior practitioners, assisted by my judicial experience.”
Stable Director Euan Mackenzie added: “Ian has had an illustrious career, including having spent five years as a Judge of the European Court of Justice. We are delighted to welcome a lawyer of Ian’s standing back to legal practice and have no doubt that his expertise in all matters relating to European law will be in high demand as the UK forges a new relationship with the EU.”
Ampersand’s Susanne Tanner QC appointed as arbitrator for Motor Insurers’ Bureau cases for untraced and uninsured drivers
Susanne Tanner QC
Susanne Tanner QC has been appointed by the Lord President as an arbitrator for Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) cases where the driver at fault cannot be traced or is uninsured, under the Untraced Drivers’ Agreement and the Uninsured Drivers’ Agreement, between the Secretary of State for Transport and the MIB. A claimant disputing a decision by the MIB on whether to make an award, or the amount of compensation, or any other dispute between MIB and the applicant arising out of a decision, determination or requirement made by MIB, or the approval of claims from minors and protected parties, can have the matter referred to arbitration. Susanne said: “I am very pleased to have been appointed to the MIB arbitration panel, as I continue to expand my alternative dispute resolution work as both an arbitrator and mediator, alongside my practice at the Bar.”
Mary Ellen Stewart called to the Bar in 2021, after training and qualifying with Brodies LLP, and latterly working there as a senior solicitor.
As a solicitor, Mary Ellen had a busy practice dealing with a broad range of commercial disputes. Her practice had a particular focus on commercial contracts, banking and finance, insolvency and professional liability litigation. When in private practice, Mary Ellen appeared in the Sheriff Courts and instructed Counsel in Court of Session cases.
Mary Ellen has a particular interest in professional liability and regulation. She also has an interest in maritime and shipping law, and is the Advocate member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Marine Law Sub-Committee. Mary Ellen is also a part-time tutor of Contract Law and Unjustified Enrichment at Edinburgh University.
Mary Ellen was appointed to the Advocate General’s panel of Nominated Presenting Officers to the Home Office in 2021.
Mary Ellen is fluent and fully literate in Scottish Gaelic and is well placed to undertake work involving consideration of documents in Gaelic.
Ampersand establishes itself as a leading set in Scotland for qualified mediators
Five members of Ampersand have successfully completed a professional mediation qualification, further enhancing the set’s wide offering of counsel specialising in different forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution. The set now offers eight counsel qualified in mediation.
Susanne Tanner QC, Vinit Khurana QC, Una Doherty QC, Euan Mackenzie QC and Brian Fitzpatrick undertook training and assessment with International Mediation Institute (IMI) and Civil Mediation Council (CMC) registered mediation training provider, Phoenix Dispute Solutions Limited. Following their successful completion of the assessed training course, all five have been certified by the IMI as Qualified Mediators. Susanne, Una and Euan have undertaken a further assessment and are also now CMC-qualified mediators which makes them eligible to apply for CMC Associate Membership in England and Wales.
Vinit Khurana QC explained why he was interested in developing his practice to include qualification as a mediator. “The pandemic has changed the way we work. Having been involved in several successful mediations in England over the past year (all done remotely from Scotland), I saw the value in the skills of the mediators before whom I appeared. This motivated me to learn that skill set, which I saw as being complementary to that of a court practitioner (with considerable overlap to the skills acquired during my previous career as a medical GP). Mediations continue to be more popular in England than in Scotland, in my experience thus far. However, the significant advantages in having a party led, confidential ADR process with a high success rate and limited costs make mediation an attractive proposition wherever we are in this new, smaller world.”
Susanne Tanner QC, Stable Director, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed undertaking the course and learning new skills to complement my existing ADR and litigation practice. It was a good opportunity to see how technology can be effectively used to facilitate the mediation process, with the use of virtual rooms for sessions, which can be replicated in practice if face-to-face meetings are not the preferred option, either because of the pandemic, or because of the parties’ preferences or environmental considerations.
Ampersand is already an extremely strong set for ADR work, offering a wide selection of arbitrators, mediators, adjudicators and expert determiners, as well as counsel specialising in representing clients in ADR processes. With the pandemic continuing to cause delays across the justice system, it is important that Ampersand can offer solutions which are tailored to clients’ needs. Mediation is a good example of a facilitated process which may assist in resolving disputes at an earlier stage. All of our mediators also bring to the mediation process the skills which they have developed in their legal practices and an in-depth knowledge of the litigation process.”
Una Doherty QC, said: “I believe that the knowledge and skills learned on the mediation course will supplement and enrich my existing practice. In some cases, mediation can be a useful alternative to seeking a final resolution of a dispute by a judge. Building on my experience of participating in mediation as counsel, I can now be appointed as mediator to facilitate the resolution of disputes. My improved knowledge of the mediator’s role and the process of mediation will also benefit my appearance at mediations as counsel”.
Alan Moffat, and the clerking team can assist in identifying the most suitable mediator or ADR counsel for your needs. To contact them to discuss instructing any of Ampersand’s members, please click here.
What next in Hearts & Partick Thistle’s case against relegation? Ampersand’s Paul Reid talks to the BBC
Ampersand’s Paul Reid joined BBC Scotland’s Sportsound programme to answer key questions following the Court of Session hearing that decided Hearts and Partick Thistle’s legal challenge to their relegations will be heard by an arbitration panel.
