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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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
Currently on maternity leave
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 Scottish 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 sat on the Law Society of Scotland’s LawscotTech Advisory Board from 2019 to 2025, and currently sits 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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Susanne Tanner KC FCIArb
Susanne Tanner KC took Silk in 2016, having called to the Bar in 2000. She is an experienced court practitioner who is always thoroughly prepared and has superb attention to detail.
She has built up and maintained a quality practice spanning:
- Reparation law, including personal injury and clinical negligence;
- Criminal law, both prosecution and defence, in first instance work and appeals, including appearing in the Supreme Court, as well as a complex private prosecution application;
- An interest in regulatory criminal matters, Health and Safety prosecutions, corporate financial crime and civil recovery proceedings;
- Fatal Accident Inquiries and public inquiries, including an appointment as Counsel on a high profile public inquiry;
- Property law and conveyancing;
- Commercial law; and
- Alternative dispute resolution, in particular arbitration, in which she holds professional qualifications and is working towards Chartered Arbitrator status. She is a Member of the Faculty Dispute Resolution Service and has been appointed as arbitrator for Motor Insurers’ Bureau cases for untraced and uninsured drivers.
She also sits as a tribunal chair in the First-tier Tribunal Housing and Property Chamber as well as the Health and Education Chamber, holds a number of academic appointments and is the Executive Editor of Green’s Scottish Education Manual.
Susanne is also a Door Tenant at Crown Office Chambers, London.
Legal Directory testimonials
Chambers UK Bar 2026 – Independent Investigations quotes:
Provided by Chambers & Partners
“I really enjoyed working with her. Difficult situations arose and she knew how to deal with them, making us feel at ease”. Independent Investigations respondent UK Bar
“Susanne Tanner is one of the top practitioners. She is extremely bright and very personable.” Independent Investigations respondent UK Bar
“Susanne Tanner brought a high level of expertise to the matter, which was supplemented ably by her keen grasp on the issues.” Independent Investigations respondent UK Bar
Chambers UK Bar 2026 – Public and Fatal Accident Inquiries quotes:
Provided by Chambers & Partners
“Susanne is one of the top practitioners. She is extremely bright and very personable.” Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries respondent UK Bar
Legal 500 Scottish Bar:
Crime and regulatory
Leading Silk “An expert in her field.”
Administrative and public law
“Susanne is a strategic and pragmatic decision maker with meticulous attention to detail.”
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