Ampersand Advocates welcomes 2 new members: Sarah McWhirter and Tony Convery
Ampersand is delighted to welcome Sarah McWhirter and Tony Convery to the stable, following their call to the Bar on Friday, 27th June 2025.

On the new members’ arrival, Stable Director Isla Davie KC, said: “We are delighted that Sarah and Tony are joining Ampersand. They are already highly regarded as lawyers, and this is the start of incredibly promising careers for both at the Bar. Not only does their considerable experience lend itself well to our existing practice areas, but they are also lovely people and we look forward to welcoming them into the stable.”
Ampersand’s Practice Manager, Alan Moffat added “I am delighted to welcome our newest members of Ampersand. Their addition to our set brings the membership to 61 and the experience which each of them brings is a fantastic fit for Ampersand’s core areas of practice. They will be a real asset to those looking to instruct counsel. I am sure that joining Ampersand will offer them rewarding opportunities and collaborative support”.
Sarah and Tony featured in Ampersand’s “& the Devils in the Detail” Hey Legal Live chat in May. You can watch clips of Sarah and Tony discussing their practice areas here.
Sarah McWhirter
Sarah specialises in clinical negligence and personal injury actions. She has extensive experience in complex and high-value claims. She has particular expertise in birth injury, spinal injury, amputation and fatal claims.
Prior to calling to the Bar, Sarah specialised in clinical negligence and personal injury work for over 10 years. Latterly, Sarah was Head of Clinical Negligence (Scotland) and a Principal Lawyer (partner) at a large UK-wide firm. She was ranked ‘Band 1’ in Chambers and Partners for Clinical Negligence: Mainly Claimant (2025). Sarah has experience of representing both pursuers and defenders.
As a solicitor Sarah, appeared in the All-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court and regularly dealt with cases raised in the Court of Session.
During devilling, Sarah enhanced her existing experience in clinical negligence and personal injury work. She expanded her knowledge of specialist personal injury claims, including industrial disease and historical child abuse. She also gained experience in other areas of law, most notably mental health, professional regulation and public law.
Sarah is the Course Organiser for the Personal Injury elective course on the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Edinburgh.
Tony Convery
Tony specialises in commercial litigation and public law. He calls to the Bar as the Lord Reid Scholar. That Scholarship is awarded annually to the outstanding candidate. He previously worked at a leading commercial law firm.
Tony has considerable commercial litigation experience, including in professional negligence, company and property law disputes. He also has experience of group proceedings, procurement litigation and proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Tony has a broad public law practice. As well as core constitutional and administrative law, Tony has experience in: (i) equality and human rights, (ii) planning and (iii) information law (including data protection and freedom of information). He has a wealth of experience in advising on legislative competence challenges.
Tony also has experience of acting in environmental, regulatory, education and media law disputes, as well as inquiries. He provides advice on trade/financial sanctions and related regulatory schemes.
Tony was a research assistant to Professor Jim Murdoch CBE in relation to the fourth edition of the leading textbook, Human Rights Law in Scotland. He has also published in his own right. He is a tutor at the University of Glasgow.
For further information about their practices view their profiles on the Ampersand Advocates website: Our People – Ampersand Advocates
To instruct either of them, please contact the Ampersand Clerking Team: ampersandclerks@advocates.org.uk.
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Tony Convery
Tony Convery specialises in commercial litigation and public law. He called to the Bar in 2025 as the Lord Reid Scholar. That Scholarship is awarded annually to the outstanding candidate. He previously worked at a leading commercial law firm.
Tony has considerable commercial litigation experience, including in professional negligence, company and property law disputes. He also has experience of group proceedings, procurement litigation and proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Tony has a broad public law practice. As well as core constitutional and administrative law, Tony has experience in: (i) equality and human rights, (ii) planning and (iii) information law (including data protection and freedom of information). He has a wealth of experience in advising on legislative competence challenges.
Tony also has experience of acting in environmental, regulatory, education and media law disputes, as well as inquiries. He provides advice on trade/financial sanctions and related regulatory schemes.
Tony was a research assistant to Professor Jim Murdoch CBE in relation to the fourth edition of the leading textbook, Human Rights Law in Scotland. He has also published in his own right. He is a tutor at the University of Glasgow.
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Arbitration for the Scottish Energy Sector
*** Scottish Arbitration Centre event ***
The Scottish Arbitration Centre is organising an event on Arbitration for the Scottish Energy Sector in Aberdeen on 19 June. The event is sponsored and hosted by Burness Paull at their Aberdeen offices located at 2, Marischal Square, Broad St, Aberdeen AB10 1DQ, and supported by the CIArb Northern Branch and Aberdeen Bar Association.
This free event will focus on dispute resolution, including arbitration, in the energy sector in Scotland and provide perspectives from in-house counsel in the oil and gas and renewables sectors, as well as local counsel and arbitrators. Gillian Carmichael Lemaire (Chair of the Centre) will moderate a panel involving Ampersand’s Brandon Malone (Arbitrator and Advocate and a Director of the Centre), Alice Leggat (Legal Manager at SSE and a Director of the Centre), Neil Smith (Partner at Burness Paull), Grant Walker (General Counsel and Company Secretary at Dana Petroleum).
Visit Scottish Arbitration Centre’s website for more details.
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Ampersand Advocates excels in Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025
Ampersand Advocates has once again demonstrated its exceptional standing in the Scottish legal landscape, securing top-tier rankings across multiple practice areas in the newly published Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025. The stable has been recognised as a Band 1 set in Clinical Negligence, Personal Injury, Planning & Environment, and Public and Fatal Accident Inquiries, while achieving Band 2 rankings in Administrative & Public Law, Civil Liberties & Human Rights, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Construction, Professional Negligence, Real Estate Litigation, and Restructuring/Insolvency.
This performance underscores Ampersand’s breadth and depth of expertise, with the stable boasting a total of 11 set rankings and an impressive 101 individual rankings across 18 areas of practice for 41 members, which includes 6 “star individual” rankings.

Key highlights from the guide include:
- Administrative & Public Law: The stable is praised for its “impressive number of highly-rated junior and senior counsel” and their involvement in significant constitutional and human rights issues. Notable practitioners include Aidan O’Neill KC, Douglas Ross KC, Ian Forrester KC, Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC, Paul Reid KC, Timothy Young, and Usman Tariq KC.
- Civil Liberties & Human Rights: Ampersand is recognised for representing both private individuals and public bodies in significant proceedings. Aidan O’Neill KC, Douglas Ross KC, and Usman Tariq KC are highlighted for their expertise in this area.
- Clinical Negligence: Described as a “go-to chambers for medical negligence work”, Ampersand’s advocates are lauded for their expert legal advice and representation in a wide range of disputes. Notable practitioners include Maria Maguire KC, Euan Mackenzie KC, Lauren Sutherland KC, Lisa Henderson KC, Mark Fitzpatrick, Simon Bowie KC, Una Doherty KC, Geoffrey Mitchell KC, Graham Primrose KC, Isla Davie KC, Jamie Dawson KC, Jennifer Nicholson-White, Philip Stuart, Vinit Khurana KC, Shane Dundas, Fiona Drysdale KC, James McConnell KC, and Paul Reid KC.
- Commercial Dispute Resolution: The stable is admired for its skilful work in high-profile commercial disputes. Robert Howie KC, Ross Anderson, Timothy Young, Giles Reid, Eoghainn MacLean, Graeme Hawkes KC, Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC, Mark Boni, Michael Way, Nicholas McAndrew, Paul Reid KC, and Usman Tariq KC are recognised for their expertise in this area.
- Company: Ross Anderson and Timothy Young are ranked as Band 1 practitioners in this area.
- Construction: Ampersand offers significant experience in advising clients on a range of building and construction works in Scotland. Robert Howie KC, Timothy Young, and Nicholas McAndrew are highlighted for their expertise.
- Employment: Aidan O’Neill KC is ranked as a Band 2 practitioner in this area.
- Information Technology: Usman Tariq is recognised as a New Silk in this area.
- Intellectual Property: Usman Tariq is recognised as a New Silk in this area.
- Media Law: Usman Tariq is recognised as a New Silk in this area.
- Personal Injury: Ampersand is highly regarded for personal injury matters, with members acting for both pursuers and defenders. Notable practitioners include Graham Primrose KC, Maria Maguire KC, Euan Mackenzie KC, Lisa Henderson KC, Simon Di Rollo KC, Douglas Ross KC, Jennifer Nicholson-White, Alan Cowan, Christian Marney, Isla Davie KC, and Shane Dundas.
- Planning & Environment: The stable is well-regarded for complex planning and environmental work. Malcolm Thomson KC, Ailsa Wilson KC, Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC, Marcus McKay KC, and Nicolas McAndrew are recognised for their expertise in this area.
- Product Liability: Paul Reid KC is recognised as a New Silk in this area.
- Professional Negligence: Ampersand is recognised as a leading stable for professional liability matters in Scotland. Paul Reid KC and Usman Tariq KC are highlighted for their expertise in this area.
- Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries:Ampersand offers unparalleled bench strength across seniorities in the Scottish inquiries space. Notable practitioners include Geoffrey Mitchell KC, Jamie Dawson KC, Jennifer Nicholson-White, Lisa Henderson KC, Simon Bowie KC, Susanne Tanner KC, Ayla Iridag, Michael Way, Fiona Drysdale KC, James McConnell KC, and Paul Reid KC.
- Real Estate Litigation: Ampersand offers a strong bench of well-regarded advocates active across a broad range of real estate litigation topics. Ross Anderson, Timothy Young, Giles Reid, Robert Howie KC, Mark Boni, and Michael Way are recognised for their expertise in this area.
- Restructuring/Insolvency: Ampersand is well-regarded for handling a wide range of restructuring and insolvency matters. Robert Howie KC, Ross Anderson, and Usman Tariq KC are highlighted for their expertise in this area.
- Tax: Julian Ghosh KC is ranked as a Star Individual, while Ross Anderson is ranked in Band 2 for this area.
In additional to these Scottish bar listings, Ampersand has members recognised in the London Bar where Julian Ghosh KC is Band 1 ranked in 3 tax areas, Aidan O’Neill KC is Band 2 listed for European Law, and Susanne Tanner KC has a spotlight listing for Independent Investigations in the All Circuits region.
The Ampersand clerks have again garnered widespread praise for their exceptional clerking services, with numerous sources highlighting the team’s efficiency, responsiveness, and proactive approach. The clerks are described as friendly, helpful, and pragmatic, offering first-class service that aligns with the commercial realities of litigation. Overall, Ampersand’s clerking team is recognised for delivering a consistently high standard of service.
These outstanding rankings reaffirm Ampersand Advocates’ position as a leading stable in Scotland, offering exceptional expertise across a wide range of practice areas. The stable’s commitment to excellence and depth of talent backed by exceptional clerking, continues to give instructing agents confidence when instructing an Ampersand advocate.
All of the Ampersand rankings can be viewed on the Chambers and Partners website here.
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Ampersand Advocates Achieves Top Rankings Across Multiple Practice Areas in Legal 500 2025 Guide
Ampersand Advocates is delighted to once again be recommended as a top-tier set across multiple practice areas by The Legal 500 UK Bar Directory in their latest listings for the 2025 guide. The Stable has again achieved impressive rankings across five key practice areas, solidifying its position as a leading Scottish Set.
Ampersand has been listed as tier 1 in Administrative & Public Law, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence, Crime and Regulatory, and Property, Planning & Construction. The stable also secured a tier 2 ranking in Commercial Disputes. This comprehensive recognition spans an impressive 34 Senior Counsel rankings and 21 Junior Counsel rankings, including 2 rising stars, across the Scottish Bar listings.
Administrative and Public Law (Tier 1) Ampersand’s expertise in this area is highlighted by the rankings of Douglas Ross KC, Aidan O’Neill KC, Laura-Anne Van Der Westhuizen KC, Susanne Tanner KC and Paul Reid KC (2023 silk). The stable’s juniors Timothy Young and Ross Anderson are also recognized, with Michael Way noted as a rising star. Usman Tariq KC’s appointment to silk in September 2024 further strengthens the team.
Personal Injury and Medical Negligence (Tier 1) An impressive roster of silks includes Simon Bowie KC, Una Doherty KC, Lisa Henderson KC, Euan Mackenzie KC, Maria Maguire KC, Geoffrey Mitchell KC, Graham Primrose KC, Lauren Sutherland KC, Alan Dewar KC, Vinit Khurana KC, Douglas Ross KC and Fiona Drysdale KC (2023 silk). Jennifer Nicholson-White, Ayla Iridag, and Shane Dundas are recognized as leading juniors. James McConnell KC took silk in September 2024, further bolstering the team’s expertise.
Crime and Regulatory (Tier 1) The stable’s strength in this area is evidenced by the rankings of Simon Bowie KC, Lisa Henderson KC, Jamie Dawson KC, Una Doherty KC, Susanne Tanner KC, Geoffrey Mitchell KC, Paul Reid KC (2023 silk), and Fiona Drysdale KC (2023 silk). Ayla Iridag and Jennifer Nicholson-White are noted as leading juniors, with Michael Way recognized as a rising star. James McConnell KC and Usman Tariq KC were appointed to silk in September 2024.
Property, Planning and Construction (Tier 1) Robert Howie KC, Ailsa Wilson KC, Marcus McKay KC, and Laura-Anne Van Der Westhuizen KC are all ranked as leading silks. Eoghainn MacLean, Nicholas McAndrew, Ross Anderson, Timothy Young and Giles Reid are recognized as leading juniors.
Commercial Disputes (Tier 2) The stable’s commercial disputes team is led by silks Robert Howie KC, Laura-Anne Van Der Westhuizen KC, and Paul Reid KC (2023 silk). Ross Anderson, Eoghainn MacLean, Mark Boni, Timothy Young and Nicholas McAndrew are ranked as leading juniors, with Michael Way noted as a rising star. Usman Tariq KC’s appointment to silk in September 2024 adds further depth to the team.
Ampersand Advocates is also recommended in the Employment and Private Client and Family categories, with Aidan O’Neill KC ranked as a leading silk in Employment and Mark Boni recognised as a leading junior in Private Client and Family.
The Stable’s clerking team, led by Alan Moffat, received high praise for their efficiency, responsiveness, and proactive approach.
These rankings reflect Ampersand Advocates’ continued excellence and dedication to providing top-tier legal services across a wide range of practice areas in Scotland.
Full listings, for all of Ampersand’s rankings can be viewed on the Legal 500 website here.
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Ampersand advocates successfully represents SSEN Transmission in Overhead Line Approval
Marcus McKay KC and Nicholas McAndrew of Ampersand Advocates have successfully represented SSEN Transmission in obtaining consent for a new 275kV overhead electricity line in Argyll and Kintyre. The Scottish Government has granted approval for the 13.3km Creag Dhubh-Dalmally line, following a public local inquiry.
The project, which will span approximately eight miles, faced initial objections from the Argyll and Bute Council committee in 2022. This led to a public local inquiry, which has now concluded with a favourable decision for SSEN Transmission.
The approved plans include the construction of a line running from the proposed Creag Dhubh substation to the tie-in point with the existing Scottish Power Energy Networks overhead line at Glen Lochy. This infrastructure is part of SSEN Transmission’s efforts to enhance the region’s energy system.
This approval marks a significant step in the development of critical national infrastructure, which SSEN Transmission argues is essential for delivering a cleaner, more secure, and affordable energy system for current and future generations.
The case highlights the complexities involved in balancing local interests with national infrastructure needs, and the important role of legal representation in navigating the planning and approval process for large-scale energy projects.
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