Amelia Mah called to the Bar in 2024 having trained at an international commercial law firm with a particular focus on commercial and real estate litigation. She was the recipient of the Lord Hope and Faculty scholarships whilst devilling.
In private practice, Amelia worked on large commercial disputes, including breaches of contract, procurement and group litigation. She also has experience with insurance and reinsurance matters, particularly in professional negligence defence. Amelia also practised in real estate litigation where she was involved in lease disputes, actions for payment of rent arrears and dilapidation claims.
Whilst devilling, Amelia gained further experience in a wide range of high value and complex commercial actions in the Court of Session. She has developed a particular interest in the field of intellectual property, covering trademark infringement, patent infringement and copyright infringement claims. Amelia gained considerable experience in moving for interim orders in intellectual property actions. She continues to work in the field of commercial property litigation, including disputes on access rights.
Amelia was also involved in fatal and serious clinical negligence claims for both pursuers and defenders, public law cases and public inquiries. She has experience in all levels of the Court system in Scotland from the Sheriff Court to the Inner House.
Kirsty Shaw called to the Bar in 2024, having previously worked as a solicitor at a leading commercial law firm.
Kirsty practices principally in the field of commercial disputes and has particular experience of construction project litigation. She also has considerable experience in professional liability, insolvency and property litigation. In addition, Kirsty has an interest in public and planning law and clinical negligence.
She has represented a broad range of clients in a number of complex disputes of substantial value in court and at arbitration, adjudication and mediation.
Kirsty is currently a tutor in Contract law and Unjustified Enrichment, Commercial law and Evidence at the University of Edinburgh.
Ampersand Advocates welcomes Julian Ghosh KC to the Stable
Ampersand Advocates is pleased to announce the addition of Julian Ghosh KC to its ranks. With an impressive track record and extensive expertise in tax, commercial, and public law, Julian is set to further strengthen the stable’s position in these areas.
Julian Ghosh KC is a highly respected advocate and barrister, known for his exceptional intellect and vast knowledge across multiple areas of law. His expertise encompasses corporate work, European taxation issues, Judicial Review, and Administrative Law. Julian is co-authoring the upcoming edition of Wade & Forsyth, a seminal textbook on Judicial Review, and is a teacher of Administrative Law at the University of Cambridge.
Julian Ghosh KC
As King’s Counsel at the Scottish Bar and Bar of England and Wales, and a member of the Bar of Ireland, Julian brings a wealth of experience to Ampersand Advocates. He also serves as a part-time Judge of the First-Tier and Deputy Judge of the Upper-Tier Tax Tribunals.
In addition to his legal practice, Julian holds several prestigious academic positions, including Senior Fellow at the International Tax Centre, Leiden; Bye-fellow at Peterhouse, Cambridge; and Visiting Professor at King’s College London, where he teaches the Law of Personal Taxation.
Commenting on the new addition to the stable, Alan Moffat, Practice Manager at Ampersand Advocates, stated, “We are delighted to welcome Julian to the Stable. Julian is a leading Silk in tax, commercial and public law. He is a strong addition to the Stable and we look forward to working with him as he establishes a greater presence in Scotland.”
Julian’s outstanding contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed. In 2021, he was awarded the title of Tax Silk of the Year at the UK Chambers Bar Awards, a testament to his expertise and dedication to his clients.
With Julian Ghosh KC joining its ranks, Ampersand Advocates is poised to continue delivering exceptional legal services to clients across Scotland and beyond.
Julian Ghosh KC is a highly respected and accomplished advocate and barrister, renowned for his exceptional intellect, vast knowledge, and commanding presence in court. He has risen to the top of his field in multiple areas of law, which include corporate work and European taxation issues. Additionally, Julian specialises in Judicial Review and Administrative Law and is co-authoring the upcoming edition of Wade & Forsyth, a seminal textbook on Judicial Review. He also teaches Administrative Law at the University of Cambridge.
Julian is King’s Counsel at the Scottish Bar and Bar of England and Wales and is also called to the Bar of Ireland. He is a part-time Judge of the First-Tier and Deputy Judge of the Upper-Tier Tax Tribunals. Julian holds several prestigious academic positions, including Senior Fellow at the International Tax Centre, Leiden; Bye-fellow at Peterhouse, Cambridge; and Visiting Professor at King’s College London, where he teaches the Law of Personal Taxation.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field, Julian was awarded the title of Tax Silk of the Year at the 2021 UK Chambers Bar Awards.
Ampersand Advocates continues Top Rankings success in 2024 Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide
Ampersand Advocates has once again received top tier rankings across a number of areas of practice in the latest published guide to the legal profession, Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2024.
Ampersand’s Band 1 listing in Planning & Environment states “Ampersand Advocates is well regarded for the complex planning and environmental work undertaken by its advocates. Members of the stable regularly act in judicial reviews and challenges to planning permissions, and frequently act on behalf of developers, objectors, public sector bodies and energy companies. Members are regularly engaged in high-profile matters, including those relating to large renewable energy projects. One source notes that “the quality of advice and advocacy is at the highest level”. Rankings include Malcolm Thomson KC as “Star Individual”, and Band 1 ranked Marcus McKay KC, Ailsa Wilson KC and Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC.
In Civil Liberties & Human Rights Ampersand is noted as a “highly regarded civil liberties and human rights stable, known for representing both private individuals and public bodies in significant proceedings. Practitioners at Ampersand are regularly instructed by the government and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.” The rankings include Aidan O’Neill KC, Douglas Ross KC and Usman Tariq.
Within Personal Injury “Ampersand Advocates is a highly regarded stable for personal injury matters and houses a number of dedicated senior and junior advocates. Members act for both pursuers and defenders, including several major insurers, in the full range of claims, and offer considerable expertise in the handling of catastrophic injury cases arising from road traffic and workplace accidents. The team is also well regarded for its expertise in complex product liability and occupiers’ liability disputes and matters involving accidents abroad. Recent matters include acting for the defenders in a claim concerning tetraplegia as a result of a mountain biking accident. Interviewees report: “They have a rich talent of advocates available to instruct.”
The Set ranking in Professional Negligence declares “Ampersand Advocates is a leading stable for professional liability matters in Scotland. The advocates often advise and act in proceedings on behalf of and against a suite of professionals including solicitors, surveyors, architects and financial advisers.” The rankings include Paul Reid KC and Usman Tariq.
In the Set ranking for Real Estate Litigation, it exclaims “Ampersand Advocates offers a strong bench of well-regarded advocates who are active across a broad range of real estate litigation topics. The set demonstrates strong expertise in areas of overlap between commercial and real estate disputes. Members are instructed at all levels from the Supreme Court down.” Rankings include Robert Howie KC, Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC, Ross Anderson, Giles Reid and Tim Young.
The Construction Set ranking states “Ampersand Advocates offers significant experience in advising clients in relation to a range of building and construction works in Scotland. The bench handles a variety of contractual, delays and construction disputes, also involving defects issues. Its advocates have notable expertise in adjudications and enforcement actions, as well as construction-related bond matters. This year’s work highlights include Greater Glasgow Health Board v Multiplex Construction Europe Ltd & Others, a dispute over a multimillion damages claim in connection with the construction of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow. One source says: “My instructions to Ampersand Advocates have spanned a variety of complex issues and each of the advocates instructed have provided a service of the very highest level.” Another one enthuses: “Ampersand Advocates is a strong commercial stable, with good advocates at all levels across all disciplines including construction.” Rankings include Robert Howie KC and Timothy Young.
Within Restructuring/Insolvency “Ampersand Advocates is well regarded for its handling of a wide range of restructuring and insolvency matters. The stable’s advocates are frequently instructed to represent administrators, companies, banks and insolvency office holders in complex claims involving allegations of wrongful trading and breach of fiduciary duty, among other matters. Members have experience of appearing in both domestic and cross-border matters, and are regularly called upon to act for and advise their clients on both contentious and non-contentious insolvency cases.” Rankings include Robert Howie KC, David Sellar KC, Ross Anderson and Usman Tariq.
The Ampersand clerks and client service again receives wide praise across all areas of practice, noting “The clerks and the advocates themselves deliver a very high-quality service” and “the Ampersand clerks provide a highly efficient service” and “all the clerks at Ampersand Advocates have been outstanding in their communication and dealings.” They are described as “very responsive and are very capable in terms of assisting with choice of counsel where help in that regard in” and being “prompt at responding to enquiries and have a good knowledge of the various advocates’ specialities and styles. As well as nothing “”All of the clerks are good. They come back almost instantly, they get everything booked, give alternative counsel if one isn’t available and help with costs.” And that “the clerks are extremely quick at responding and work with you to meet the needs of clients.”
On the recent rankings, Practice Manager, Alan Moffat, said: “This is again wonderful recognition and praise, which is a testament to the collaboration between our advocates, clerking team and those that instruct our counsel. My gratitude to all who offered their perspectives to Chambers – your time and insights are invaluable. These rankings are an affirmation that our collective pursuit of excellence and service is succeeding. We will continue striving to raise the bar even higher.”
The full rankings can be viewed on the Chambers and Partners website here.
Ampersand Advocates ranked as top tier set by Legal 500 in 2024 guide
Ampersand is delighted to once again be recommended as a top-tier set by The Legal 500 UK Bar Directory in their latest listings for the 2024 guide.
Listed as tier 1 in Administrative & Public Law, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence and Property, Planning & Construction, and tier 2 in Commercial Disputes, Ampersand has collected 29 Senior Counsel rankings, 18 Junior Counsel rankings, including 2 rising star, across the Scottish Bar listings.
The Ampersand clerking team, led by Alan Moffat, is noted for providing an excellent service. Moffat is described as “a stand-out clerk” who “takes client relationships extremely seriously.” The clerks are praised as “very pro-active,” “quick to respond,” and “very user friendly.” Sheena Hume is noted as “very organised and always quick to help.”
Overall, Ampersand continues to be recognised for its breadth and depth of expertise across key practice areas.
Full listings, including all Scottish rankings can be viewed on the Legal 500 website here.
