Mark Boni
Mark Boni called to the Bar in 2020, having qualified as a solicitor in 2014. Since 2022, Mark has been ranked by Legal 500 as a tier 2 leading junior in commercial disputes and since 2024 has been ranked as a tier 1 leading junior in private client and family disputes. In the Chamber & Partners UK Bar Guide 2026, Mark was ranked as a band 3 junior counsel in commercial dispute resolution and identified as an “up and coming” junior counsel in real estate litigation.
Mark has experience in a wide range of commercial and private law litigation, with a particular interest in contractual and property disputes, prescription, personal insolvency and private client litigation.
He regularly appears for pursuers and defenders at proofs, debates, procedural hearings, opposed motions and interim orders hearings.
Mark has experience, both as a solicitor and at the Bar, of litigating in the Sheriff Courts, Sheriff Appeal Court, Lands Tribunal, Court of Session (Outer and Inner Houses) as well as the UK Supreme Court. Mark also has experience in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation.
Whilst devilling, Mark was a Lord Hope Scholar and was involved in a variety of complex and high value cases, including professional negligence claims and intellectual property actions.
Since 2012, Mark has tutored part-time at the University of Edinburgh. He presently tutors “Commercial Law” and “Contract and Unjustified Enrichment” and previously tutored “Public Law of the UK and Scotland” and “Public Law and Individual Rights”.
Mark wrote the reissue edition of “Prescription and Limitation” in the Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia (published 2023) and has rewritten the Scottish prescription and limitation online content for Lexis+.
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Nicholas McAndrew
Nick called to the Bar in 2020, having been a solicitor for five years in a large Scottish commercial law firm specialising in Construction Litigation. Since calling, Nick has focused his practice on Construction and Commercial Disputes together with Planning & Environmental law issues.
Nick is rated as a Leading Junior (Band 1) in Legal 500 for Property, Planning and Construction disputes, with solicitors emphasising his strong written work and methodical approach to cases.
He is also ranked in Chambers as Band 1 for his Planning & Environment practice.
Previously as a solicitor, and now as an Advocate, Nick has litigated in the Courts (Sheriff Court & Court of Session (Outer and Inner House)), Lands Tribunal, Adjudication, and at Arbitration.
Selected cases:
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Ampersand Advocates ‘goes above and beyond at all times’ in latest Legal 500 UK Bar listings
Ampersand is delighted to be once again be recommended as a top-tier set by The Legal 500 UK Bar Directory in their latest listings for 2019 published today.
The guide says “‘From a user’s perspective’, Ampersand Advocates ‘goes above and beyond at all times to assist wherever possible’. Like the other Scottish stables, a diverse range of work comes through its doors, however, tort, real estate, and commercial matters are key strengths, and arbitration is a growing area of focus. ‘All the clerks are friendly, accommodating and very professional’, however at the most senior level Alan Moffat ‘will go out of his way to make sure you get the right counsel for the job’, and his deputy Sheena Hume is ‘particularly efficient and easy to deal with’. Vinit Khurana QC and Una Doherty QC took silk in 2018.”
Ampersand has 36 listings across 10 areas of practice in the Legal 500 UK 2019 guide. The Scottish bar section can be viewed here.
Civil liberties, human rights, public inquiries, and public and administrative law (including local government)
Key areas of work at Ampersand Advocates include EU law, judicial review, and procurement matters. Aidan O’Neill QC recently lead on behalf of the petitioners in Wightman v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, an Court of Justice of the European Union case concerning if it was possible for a member state to revoke its notification of intent to leave the European Union under Article 50.
Leading Seniors
Aidan O’Neill QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Intellectually impressive and creative in his approach to dealing with issues of public law. ’
Douglas Ross QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Highly intelligent and tenacious, with good common sense ’
Dorothy Bain QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Highly recommended for civil liberties work. ’
Leading Juniors
Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen – Ampersand Advocates ‘ A first-class legal mind who deals well with complicated cases. ’
Timothy Young – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Technically excellent in public procurement matters. ’
Commercial litigation
Ampersand Advocates is home to a strong contingent of commercial litigators, with experience in a wide range of commercial cases. Notable recent highlights include Take-Two Interactive Software Inc and Rockstar Games Inc v Aaron Renicks, in which Usman Tariq acts, as junior to Roddy Dunlop QC for the developers of Grand Theft Auto who are pursuing a claim against the developer of a modification for the game. Giles Reid recently acted for the borrower in a case concerning the oral variation of a loan agreement, as well as interim orders preventing the lender from commencing bankruptcy.
Leading Seniors
Alan Dewar QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Hugely experienced, completely unflappable and always fights his client’s corner. ’
Robert Howie QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ His depth of knowledge in commercial matters is unparalleled. ’
Leading Juniors
Ross Anderson – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Never afraid to take on even the largest of legal challenges. ’
Giles Reid – Ampersand Advocates ‘ A legal encyclopaedia. ’
Usman Tariq – Ampersand Advocates ‘ His advice and knowledge is consistently of the highest standard. ’
Company and insolvency
Members of Ampersand Advocates are particularly experienced in insolvency matters, acting for all parties in such cases. Of recent note, Timothy Young recently acted for the liquidators in Rowallan Asset Management Limited v Morris & Co, which involved a claim for gratuitous alienation (a transfer under value to dissipate assets) relating to a large agricultural property holding company.
Leading Seniors
David Sellar QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ His technical knowledge of company and insolvency law makes him a go-to. ’
Leading Juniors
Timothy Young – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Clients appreciate his confident yet approachable demeanour. ’
Employment
Russell Bradley of Ampersand Advocates acts for employers in a wide range of first instance matters, with particular expertise of defending whistle-blowing and unfair dismissal claims.
Russell Bradley – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Extremely tenacious when needed and great with clients. ’
Intellectual property, information technology and media
Usman Tariq at Ampersand Advocates is highly recommended for contentious intellectual property matters, as well as maintaining a substantial presence in the IT sector, particularly in matters concerning gaming and digital applications. Recent instructions include a substantial trade mark infringement and passing off dispute between two manufacturers of electronic cigarettes, where Tariq acted for the pursuers, as well as conducting breach of interdict cases on behalf of large rights-holders such as Sky and the Performing Right Society.
Usman Tariq – Ampersand Advocates ‘ The best all-round IP junior in Scotland. ’
Personal injury and medical negligence
Ampersand Advocates is home to one of the key teams in personal injury and clinical negligence within Scotland, and has ‘real strength in depth’ across all levels of call. Members have significant expertise in all areas of such work, with recent cases including fatal accidents, medical device litigation, catastrophic injury and birth injury. A notable recent case for the set is Gibson v Babcock International, a leading case on the issue of secondary exposure to asbestos, in which Simon Di Rollo QC led for the pursuers.
Leading Seniors
Lisa Henderson QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Highly numerate, excellent at drafting complex schedules of loss and very personable. ’
Geoffrey Mitchell QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Highly respected by both health boards and claimant solicitors ’
Douglas Ross QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ A relatively new silk who already posesses all the qualities of an experienced one. ’
Simon Bowie QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Recommended for significant clinical negligence cases. ’
Una Doherty QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Extremely reliable, quick-witted and efficient. ’
Maria Maguire QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Combines superb advocacy skills and a forensic attention for detail. ’
Simon Di Rollo QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Highly experienced in industrial disease claims. ’
Lauren Sutherland QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Leaves no stone unturned to find a path to a successful outcome. ’
Leading Juniors
Jamie Dawson – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Fantastic at dealing with complex medical evidence and technical details. ’
Fiona Drysdale – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Well-prepared, good with clients and has an eye for detail. ’
Chris Marney – Ampersand Advocates ‘ A very safe pair of hands with good commercial sense. ’
Jennifer Nicholson – Ampersand Advocates ‘
A strong negotiator who has achieved fantastic results for clients. ’
Planning, environmental and licensing
Ampersand Advocates is home to planning law specialists Marcus McKay QC and Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen, who are often instructed in complex or high-profile inquiries and appeals. Notable recent highlights include McKay’s representation of The Viking Wind Farm in a consent application under crofting legislation, and Westhuizen’s work on behalf of the Scottish ministers in an appeal lodged by a dairy farm following the refusal of planning permission for a large greenbelt development.
Leading Seniors
Marcus McKay QC – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Highly experienced in energy-related planning work. ’
Leading Juniors
Professional Negligence
Members of Ampersand Advocates are instructed by both pursuers and defenders in professional negligence cases, across the full range of industry sectors. Recent highlights include Midlothian Council v Bracewell Stirling, where Paul Reid acted as a junior to Alastair Duncan QC on behalf of the defenders, an architectural firm alleged to be liable for negligent ground investigations carried out by another company.
Paul Reid – Ampersand Advocates ‘ One to watch for professional negligence matters. ’
Property, construction and agriculture
Members of Ampersand Advocates are instructed in a wide range of commercial development and property disputes, as well as agricultural issues and nuisance claims. Timothy Young recently advised the defenders on several potential cases concerning property damage caused by incorrectly constituted mortar in the development of a large residential estate.
Leading Seniors
Leading Juniors
Ross Anderson – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Definitely one to watch for property litigation. ’
Timothy Young – Ampersand Advocates ‘ Exceptionally intelligent with a gift for honing in on the points that matter. ’
Tax, trusts and pensions
Ross Anderson at Ampersand Advocates has significant experience acting for HM Revenue and Customs in both the First-Tier and Upper Tribunals. He also appeared as appearing as a junior to Kieron Beal QC of Blackstone Chambers in London, again on behalf of the Revenue, in the Supreme Court case Frank A Smart & Sons v HMRC, which concerned the deductability of VAT incurred when purchasing entitlements to the Single Farm Payment, a European Union farming subsidy.
Ross Anderson – Ampersand Advocates ‘ He has made a sure-footed transition from academia to the Bar. ’
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Ampersand advocates recognised as leaders in their field in Who’s Who Legal 2019: UK Bar 2019
Ampersand Advocates is delighted that 4 members are recognised as leaders in their field in the latest guide from Who’s Who Legal: UK Bar 2019.
Robert Howie QC (Construction), David Sellar QC (Restructuring and Insolvency), Craig Sandison QC (Intellectual Property) and Usman Tariq (Intellectual Property) have been identified by independent research with clients and peers as being amongst the UK’s leading counsel.
Full listings on WWL: UK Bar 2019 can be found on their website here: www.WhosWhoLegal.com.
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Top Rankings success in latest Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide
Ampersand has 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 2019.
Ampersand received 56 listings across 17 areas of practice, ranking as top tier (band 1) in Clinical Negligence as a Set, and band 2 in Administrative & Public law, Civil Liberties & Human Rights, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Planning & Environment, Personal Injury, Product Liability and Restructuring/Insolvency as a Set. 4 members are noted as “star individuals”.
Noted as a Band 1 set for Clinical Negligence, Ampersand has 16 rankings in this area. The guide says “Ampersand enjoys an excellent reputation in the field of Scottish clinical negligence litigation. It houses a large number of advocates who specialise in the pursuit and defence of clinical negligence cases, including both QCs and juniors. Matters commonly dealt with include brain and spinal injury claims as well as fatal accident inquiries. Members are skilled at handling high-profile group actions, such as the recent suits regarding vaginal mesh implants. Sources highlight the stable’s impressive offering in the area and the “great strength and depth” of its advocates.” The listing includes Maria Maguire QC as a “Star Individual”.
Band 2 listings include Administrative and Public law where Ampersand’s frequent level public law challenges across a wide range of practice areas noted. In Civil Liberties & Human Rights the Band 2 listing notes Ampersand as a “dynamic group of public law and human rights advocates” and that “Ampersand Advocates is particularly well known for advising on the ECHR and the intersection between UK and EU law.”
In Commercial Dispute Resolution it states “Ampersand Advocates offers a strong bench of versatile and well-regarded commercial dispute resolution practitioners. The stable houses a number of silks and juniors experienced in general commercial litigation, with proficiency in disputes concerning insolvency, professional negligence and construction in particular. Advocates are also noted for their abilities in contentious matters involving planning, commercial contracts and intellectual property, often representing large companies and financial institutions”. Ampersand’s Commercial expertise is further noted in Restructuring and Insolvency, which includes “Star Individual” David Sellar QC, stating Ampersand “Home to leading silks for restructuring and insolvency in Scotland. They are regularly instructed by insolvency administrators, directors and shareholders in a variety of matters ranging from the interaction of insolvency law with public regulatory schemes to allegations of wrongful trading. The advocates have good expertise in relation to jurisdictional matters.”
Ampersand’s Personal Injury work is again acknowledged with the guide noting “A well-reputed personal injury stable on the Scottish Circuit, noted for its expert handling of complex catastrophic injury and fatal claims on behalf of both pursuers and defenders. It is regularly instructed by several leading Scottish law firms, as well as major insurers and government agencies.” It also notes that our “members also have experience appearing before fatal accident inquiries, representing health boards, doctors and hospitals, as well as bereaved families and individuals. Ampersand’s advocates are regularly involved in high-value and complex personal injury claims, and have litigated cases in the Sheriff Courts, the Court of Session and the Supreme Court.” The listing includes Maria Maguire QC and Graham Primrose QC as “Star Individuals”.
In Planning and Environment it states “Ampersand Advocates includes a number of advocates who specialise in planning and environmental law. It excels in handling judicial reviews and planning challenges, and has substantive expertise in the communications, transport and energy sectors. Its clients include local councils, conservation bodies and developers.” This includes “Star Individual” Malcolm Thomson QC. Ampersand is also a Band 2 set in Product Liability stating “A prominent player in product liability matters, with additional bench strength in the areas of personal injury and professional liability. Members routinely act in cases involving defective medical devices and claims relating to industrial product liability. They are experienced in the representation of defenders and pursuers, both in individual cases and in group actions.”
The Clerks also receive high praise again stating “the clerking is excellent” noting “the clerking team is very responsive and experienced. The quality shines through.” and “team is very accommodating and helpful. The clerks respond to enquiries timeously”.
Ampersand’s full listings can be viewed on the Chambers and Partners website here.
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Timothy Young
‘Timothy Young is an excellent leading junior and operates at the very top of the junior Bar. He has experience of complex areas of corporate, property and commercial law which few can match.’ (Chambers (2025) – Commercial Dispute Resolution and Real Estate Litigation – Scotland)
‘Timothy Young is very technically adept and super diligent.’ (Chambers (2025) – Construction – Scotland)
‘Timothy is extremely bright and capable; he is impressive’ (Chambers (2025) – Commercial Dispute Resolution – Scotland)
‘He is a powerful and focused advocate and enjoys the respect of judges.’ (Legal 500 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)
‘Timothy is a very astute operator who commands the confidence of clients and solicitors alike.’ (Chambers (2024) – Commercial Dispute Resolution – Scotland)
‘His intellectual prowess and ability to quickly and competently ascertain the critical considerations of a case and the best strategy moving forward is matched with a formidable style of advocacy.’ (Chambers (2024) – Construction)
‘He is one of the best advocates at the Bar. He is very bright and very user-friendly’ (Chambers (2023) – Commercial Dispute Resolution)
‘Tim is excellent. He is regularly instructed in public law matters and his written work is exceptional.’ (Chambers (2023) – Administrative and Public Law)
Tim Young is a leading junior counsel in commercial and public law disputes at the Scottish bar. He has been widely recognised as such in all the major legal directories including Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal.
He is regularly instructed – both led and unled – in the most important, complex, and high-value commercial cases before the Scottish courts and in arbitrations.
He has extensive experience and expertise in commercial contract disputes (particularly complex construction and IT contract matters), civil fraud and bribery, trusts, banking, company, insolvency, and shipping and maritime law. He is also a contributing editor to leading practitioner texts in these areas, the Companies Law (reissue) and Shipping and Maritime Law (reissue) volumes of The Laws of Scotland: Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia.
He has also been retained by the defenders in several sets of group proceedings relating to diesel emissions and has been heavily involved in several recent and important decisions on the proper approach to such litigations.
He also has a very extensive experience in all commercial and agricultural property matters. He has conducted many cases in relation to the electronic communications code, crofting, agricultural tenancies, commercial leases, servitudes, rights of way, and title disputes.
In addition to his heavy weight commercial practice, he also has substantial experience of judicial review and statutory appeals in the field of public and administrative law. He is particularly sought after for his experience in dealing with human rights challenges, malicious prosecution cases, public procurement disputes, and professional discipline matters. As well as appearing in Court, he has appeared in a wide variety of tribunals, committees, and disciplinary hearings. Tim has also been appointed as a Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government, and regularly appears in the courts for the Scottish Government.
He graduated with a first class honours from the University of Strathclyde. Throughout his career, he has maintained links with academia through tutoring Business Entities and Constitutional Law at both the University of Edinburgh and Napier University, and as an external examiner at Robert Gordon University. He is also the Deputy Editor of the official law report series in Scotland, Session Cases.
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