Sean White

Sean White called to the Bar in 2024, having enjoyed a varied civil litigation practice as a solicitor.

He practices mainly in commercial litigation, with particular interest in construction and property disputes, commercial contracts and professional and clinical negligence.

Sean came to the Bar with already impressive representative experience, having appeared in various courts and tribunals in Scotland, where he has conducted proofs, debates and other contentious and non-contentious hearings for pursuers and defenders. He has represented businesses and individuals in a range of complex and high-value cases.

Before calling to the Bar, Sean worked as a Senior Solicitor in the commercial disputes team of a well-known Scottish firm, where he focussed principally on construction and energy sector disputes. During this time, he worked on many Court of Session litigations and gained experience in different forms of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration and adjudication.

He previously trained and worked with an Edinburgh-based litigation firm, during which time he represented clients in a range of cases, covering commercial contracts, professional and clinical negligence, personal injury, interdict and judicial review, amongst other things.

During devilling, Sean gained further experience in construction, property, professional and clinical negligence, commercial contract, company and insolvency litigation.

Selected cases:

Amelia Mah

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

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.

Louise Jardine

Louise Jardine called to the Bar in 2024 after working as a solicitor for a large public sector organisation.

Louise’s practice focuses on clinical negligence and personal injury. She also has experience representing clients at public and fatal accident inquiries. Louise has experience in other areas including mental health, regulatory matters and public law. Louise has appeared in Sheriff Courts across Scotland, including the All-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court. As a solicitor, Louise regularly dealt with cases raised in the Court of Session. She also has experience of dealing with cases in the Inner House.

During her period of devilling, Louise expanded her knowledge base further having been exposed to cases involving other areas of professional negligence, commercial law and criminal law.

Louise completed her LLB and Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow.

Ampersand Advocates members appointed as Legally Qualified Chairs by SSSC

Ampersand Advocates is delighted to announce that two of its members, Vinit Khurana KC and Laurence Kennedy, have been appointed as Legally Qualified Chairs by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

In their new part-time roles, they will chair panels with social service and lay members to decide whether workers’ fitness to practise is impaired. They will also impose sanctions where necessary to protect the public and maintain confidence in the social service profession.

The SSSC is the regulator for the social service workforce in Scotland. It protects the public by registering social service workers, setting standards for their practice, conduct, training and education, and by supporting their professional development.

Vinit Khurana KC and Laurence Kennedy are both experienced advocates and their appointments further increase the extensive work that Ampersand members undertake in the regulatory field.

Scottish Episcopal Church appoints Paul Reid KC as new Procurator

A new Procurator has been appointed by the Scottish Episcopal Church, with immediate effect.

Paul Reid KC takes on the position following the resignation of his predecessor Alan McLean KC.

In November last year, the Preliminary Proceedings Committee of the SEC concluded its investigation into complaints lodged under Canon 54 regarding Bishop Anne Dyer. Those complaints which the PPC decided require further consideration were referred to the Church’s internal procurator as the next stage of the canonical process.

The role of the Church’s procurator is to decide whether to take the referred complaints to a hearing before the Clergy Disciplinary Tribunal.

As a result of issues which emerged during his initial consideration of papers sent to him by the PPC, Mr McLean decided to resign in order to allow the appointment of a replacement who has no pre-existing connection of any nature to any of the parties or witnesses potentially involved, so as to avoid any suggestion that the process was not being conducted in an independent and impartial manner.

The appointment of Mr Reid was made by the Provincial Standing Committee, in consultation with the College of Bishops.

No further comment will be made on the on-going Canon 54 process at this stage.

Originally published on 23rd January 2024 on the Scottish Episcopal Church website here: Church appoints new Procurator – The Scottish Episcopal Church (anglican.org)