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& the devil is in the detail: Laura-anne Langlands (live)

In this Ampersand Live session, Alan Moffat sits down with Laura-anne Langlands as she prepares to call as an advocate at Ampersand.

Broadcasting live on Monday 15 June 2026 at 12.30pm, with questions from Deputy Clerk, Sheena Hume.

Laura-anne talks candidly about her journey to the Scottish Bar – the experiences and influences that shaped her decision, the moment she knew advocacy was the right path, and the intensity of the devilling process at the Faculty of Advocates. She also shares her plans for calling and beyond: the areas of law she’s passionate about and the kind of work she hopes to take on as she begins her career as an advocate.

Whether you’re considering a career at the Bar, looking to instruct new counsel, or simply curious about the journey from solicitor to advocate, Laura-anne’s story offers a compelling insight into the next generation at Ampersand.

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& the devil is in the detail – live on Ampersand Live

Meet the newest generation of Ampersand Advocates – live.

This June, “& the devil is in the detail” returns to Ampersand Live with two live broadcasts – each a conversation with one of our newest advocates as they prepare to call to the Scottish Bar.

Hosted by Alan Moffat, Practice Manager at Ampersand, with questions led by one of our Deputy Clerks, each session goes behind the wig and gown to explore the journey to the Bar, what devilling was really like, and each advocate’s plans for calling and beyond.

Join us live:

What to expect:

Each live session follows one advocate’s story – the journey that brought them to the Bar, the realities of the nine-month devilling process, and their plans for practice once they call. Whether you’re a solicitor considering instructing new counsel, a law student curious about life at the Scottish Bar, or simply interested in what it takes to become an advocate, these conversations are for you. Tune in live and bring your questions. Or watch on demand later.

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Paul Reid KC calls to Bar of England and Wales

We are please to announce Paul Reid KC has called to the Bar of England and Wales and joins Cornerstone Barristers as a tenant. Paul remains a member of Ampersand Advocates for his work in Scotland and will practice in both jurisdictions.

Paul joins Cornerstone Chambers with a distinguished practice in public, regulatory and healthcare law. A silk in Scotland since 2023, he previously served as First Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government, advising and appearing in a number of high-profile constitutional and public law cases, including the 2022 Referendum Reference before the Supreme Court.

Alongside his public law work, Paul has extensive experience advising the NHS in Scotland and medical defence unions on clinical liability and regulatory matters.

Paul Reid

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Legal Services Agency webinar – Public Inquiries: Recent Developments and Trends

*** LSA event ***

23rd February 2026 2pm to 3pm. CPD 1 hour

OBJECTIVES

This webinar will explore recent developments and emerging trends in public inquiries. This session will provide an overview of high-profile and ongoing inquiries, examine evolving legal and procedural approaches, and highlight key lessons for practitioners involved in or advising on inquiry processes. Ideal for lawyers, policy professionals, and public sector staff, this webinar offers essential insights into an area of growing legal and public interest.

PARTICIPANTS

This Zoom webinar is aimed at solicitors, trainee solicitors and anyone with an interest in the latest developments in public inquiries in Scotland.

SPEAKER

Chris Stephen, Advocate, Ampersand Advocates

Chris is an Advocate in Scotland and a Barrister in England & Wales. He specialises in public law, including public inquiries, commercial law and international arbitration. He is junior Counsel to the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry and Standing Junior Counsel to the Advocate General for Scotland.

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UK Covid Inquiry publishes second report and 19 recommendations, examining ‘Core UK decision-making and political governance’

The Chair of the UK Covid Inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, published her second report on 20th November 2025.

The report, ‘Core UK decision-making and political governance’ (Module 2), calls for the prompt and thorough implementation of 19 key recommendations. The recommendations must be considered during the development of all future pandemic preparedness strategies.

They include the need for urgent reform and clarification of the structures for decision-making during emergencies within each of the four governments.

Other key recommendations include ensuring that decisions and their implications are clearly communicated to the public – laws and guidance must be easy to understand. There should be greater Parliamentary scrutiny of the use of emergency powers as well as improved consideration in an emergency of the impact that decisions might have on those most at risk.

The full 800 page report, and summaries, can be found on the Inquiry website here.

10 members from Ampersand Advocates were instructed for various parties for this module, which included 9 weeks of hearings in October/November 2023 in London, and 4 weeks of hearings in Edinburgh in January/February 2024:

 

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Ampersand Advocates Celebrates Outstanding 2026 Chambers & Partners Rankings

Ampersand Advocates is proud to celebrate another outstanding year in the Chambers and Partners UK Bar 2026 rankings published date, confirming its position as one of the most highly regarded and comprehensive sets at the Scottish Bar.

This year, Ampersand and its members secures 12 set rankings and an impressive 99 individual rankings across 25 practice areas, including recognition across the London Bar and All Circuits. The stable is further honoured with five Star Individuals, underscoring its depth and quality.

Set Rankings
Ampersand Advocates is ranked as a set in the following areas:

Band 1:

Band 2:

Practice Areas and Ranked Members

Administrative & Public Law – Band 2
Ranked Members:
Aidan O’Neill KC, Douglas Ross KC, Ian S. Forrester KC, Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC, Michael Way, Paul Reid KC, Timothy Young, Usman Tariq KC

Star Individual: Aidan O’Neill KC

Highlight: Appearing in landmark constitutional and equality law cases before the Supreme Court and Court of Session.

Civil Liberties & Human Rights – Band 2
Ranked Members:
Aidan O’Neill KC, Douglas Ross KC, Usman Tariq KC

Highlight: Leading advocates in major human rights and discrimination cases, including Billy Graham Evangelistic Association v SMG (UK) Ltd.

Clinical Negligence – Band 1
Ranked Members:
Euan Mackenzie KC, Fiona Drysdale KC, Geoffrey Mitchell KC, Graham Primrose KC, Isla Davie KC, James McConnell KC, Jamie Dawson KC, Jennifer Nicholson-White, Lauren Sutherland KC, Lisa Henderson KC, Maria Maguire KC, Mark Fitzpatrick, Shane Dundas, Simon Bowie KC, Una Doherty KC, Vinit Khurana KC

Star Individual: Maria Maguire KC

Highlight: Described as “the premier stable for clinical negligence in Scotland”, with members leading in complex medical and catastrophic injury cases.

Commercial Dispute Resolution – Band 2
Ranked Members:
Eoghainn MacLean, Giles Reid, Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC, Mark Boni, Michael Way, Nicholas McAndrew, Robert Howie KC, Ross G. Anderson, Timothy Young, Usman Tariq KC

Highlight: Recognised for “depth and breadth across civil litigation”, with expertise in commercial, contract, and intellectual property disputes.

Company

Ranked Members:
Ross G. Anderson, Timothy Young

Highlight: Expertise in shareholder and director disputes, representing corporate entities and institutions.

Construction – Band 2
Ranked Members:
Nicholas McAndrew, Robert Howie KC, Timothy Young

Highlight: Trusted for handling large-scale building and delay disputes, including Greater Glasgow Health Board v Multiplex.

Employment

Ranked Members:
Aidan O’Neill KC

Highlight: Leading counsel in discrimination and constitutional employment cases.

Immigration

Ranked Members:
Michael Way

Highlight: Recognised for expertise in judicial reviews and appeals involving immigration and asylum.

Information Technology

Ranked Members:
Usman Tariq KC

Highlight: Specialist in software, data, and technology-related litigation.

Intellectual Property

Ranked Members:
Usman Tariq KC

Highlight: Recognised for IP and tech sector disputes and advisory work.

Media Law

Ranked Members:
Usman Tariq KC

Highlight: Acts in defamation, reputation, and privacy cases.

Personal Injury – Band 1
Ranked Members:
Alan Cowan, Christian Marney, Douglas Ross KC, Euan Mackenzie KC, Usman Tariq KC, Isla Davie KC, Jennifer Nicholson-White, Lisa Henderson KC, Maria Maguire KC, Shane Dundas, Simon Di Rollo KC

Star Individuals: Graham Primrose KC, Maria Maguire KC

Highlight: Described as “a formidable team of injury specialists”, acting in high-value, complex personal injury claims across Scotland.

Planning & Environment – Band 1
Ranked Members:
Ailsa Wilson KC, Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen KC, Marcus McKay KC, Nicholas McAndrew

Highlight: Commended for expertise in renewable energy, development planning, and environmental judicial review.

Product Liability

Ranked Members:
Paul Reid KC

Highlight: Recognised for handling complex product and regulatory disputes.

Professional Discipline

Ranked Members:
Paul Reid KC, Scott Clair

Highlight: Act for regulators and professionals in high-stakes disciplinary proceedings.

Professional Negligence – Band 2
Ranked Members:
Paul Reid KC, Scott Clair, Usman Tariq KC

Highlight: Expertise across financial, legal, and technical negligence claims.

Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries – Band 1
Ranked Members:
Ayla Iridag, Fiona Drysdale KC, Geoffrey Mitchell KC, Isla Davie KC, James McConnell KC, Jamie Dawson KC, Jennifer Nicholson-White, Lisa Henderson KC, Michael Way, Paul Reid KC, Shane Dundas, Simon Bowie KC, Susanne Tanner KC, Una Doherty KC

Highlight: Market leader in public inquiries including the UK and Scottish COVID-19 Inquiries, and the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Real Estate Litigation – Band 2
Ranked Members:
Giles Reid, Mark Boni, Michael Way, Robert Howie KC, Ross G. Anderson, Timothy Young

Highlight: Leading expertise in commercial property and access rights disputes.

Restructuring/Insolvency – Band 2
Ranked Members:
Robert Howie KC, Ross G. Anderson, Sheana Campbell, Usman Tariq KC

Highlight: Praised for “excellent knowledge and expertise” in insolvency, breach of duty, and cross-border matters.

Tax – Band 1
Ranked Members:
Julian Ghosh KC, Ross G. Anderson

Star Individual: Julian Ghosh KC

Highlight: Recognised as a Star Individual for Tax (London Bar), handling major tax appeals and IR35 cases such as McCann Media Ltd v HMRC.

Independent Investigations – All Circuits (Band 2)
Ranked Member:
Susanne Tanner KC

Highlight: Recognised across the UK for her leadership in independent investigations and inquiries.

European Law – London Bar (Band 2)
Ranked Member:
Aidan O’Neill KC

Highlight: Noted for constitutional and EU law expertise bridging the Scottish and London Bars.

Tax – London Bar & Private Client
Ranked Member:
Julian Ghosh KC

Highlight: Acknowledged as one of the UK’s foremost tax specialists.

Star Individuals

Ampersand Advocates proudly celebrates its five Star Individuals recognised for exceptional excellence and leadership:

Clerking Excellence

Ampersand’s clerking team, led by Alan Moffat, is again commended for professionalism, responsiveness, and efficiency.

“Second to none.”
“Depth and breadth across all disciplines.”
“Incredibly responsive and professional.”

The clerks’ deep understanding of clients’ needs continues to be a cornerstone of Ampersand’s success.

Overall Recognition

With 99 individual rankings, five Star Individuals, and 12 ranked practice areas, Ampersand Advocates cements its reputation as one of Scotland’s leading stable for excellence across the civil Bar. Ampersand stands out for its depth, versatility, and advocacy excellence.

You can view the full rankings and detailed individual feedback here.

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