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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Euan Scott
Euan Scott called to the Bar in 2020 having worked in one of Scotland’s leading litigation firms.
He has a broad civil practice with a particular focus on medical and professional negligence, and commercial dispute resolution (with his experience concentrating on commercial contract disputes, property disputes, contentious construction and insurance).
He also has an interest in media law and insolvency issues and has extensive experience of public inquiries.
Euan was appointed as Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government in 2022
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Infected Blood Inquiry: Scots victims to give evidence
As the UK-wide inquiry into infected blood continues, the evidence moves to Edinburgh over the next 2 weeks, to hear from victims and their families in Scotland.
An estimated 3,000 people were infected with blood products in Scotland in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Inquiry, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff will examine why men, women and children in the UK were given infected blood and/or infected blood products, the impact on their families, how the authorities (including government) responded, the nature of any support provided following infection, questions of consent and whether there was a cover-up.
Ampersand’s Aidan O’Neill QC with Jamie Dawson (and Kirsten Sjovoll of Matrix Chambers) as junior counsel, act for Haemophilia Scotland and the Scottish Infected Blood Forum instructed by Thompsons Solicitors (Scotland). Ampersand’s Simon Bowie QC (with Barney Ross of Compass Chambers) is for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and Health Boards is instructed by the Central Legal Office, NHS National Services Scotland.
Details of the Inquiry can be found on the Inquiry website here.
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Michael Way
Michael Way’s principle areas of practice are public & administrative law, commercial disputes and civil liberties/human rights.
Michael is listed as a ‘Rising Star’ in the 2021/22 Legal 500 in both Commercial Disputes and Administrative and Public Law.
“A brilliant advocate – insightful, thorough and refreshingly convincing on his feet, he is approachable and easy to work with.” – Legal 500 2021/22 ‘Administrative and Public Law’
After spending several years as a performer in the music industry, Michael trained with one of Scotland’s leading commercial law firms and undertook a six month secondment to the Scottish Government Legal Directorate. Shortly after qualifying as a solicitor Michael began devilling, during which he won the Mike Jones Excellence in Advocacy prize and was the Faculty Scholar 2018/19.
Since calling, Michael has appeared regularly in courts and tribunals throughout Scotland. In particular, he has:
- appeared for Serco defending over 150 interdict actions, including appearances in the Sheriff Appeal Court and instruction during the related Inner House reclaiming motion process;
- been instructed by petitioners in a number of successful Court of Session judicial review actions in immigration and housing matters;
- instructed by child respondents in nobile officium petitions seeking recognition of English High Court deprivation of liberty orders;
- appeared frequently for the Advocate General as a standing ‘junior junior’ in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber);
- been instructed in a variety of property, contractual, professional negligence, debt recovery and insolvency disputes, including success after proof in a case involving a challenge to interest to enforce real burdens;
- developed a proficiency in consumer rights issues, including claims under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008;
- assisted in a major offshore dispute in Jersey;
- undertaken criminal appeal work, with successful appearances in the High Court and Sheriff Appeal Court.
Michael has a strong academic background with degrees from Oxford, King’s College London and Edinburgh. Since 2015, Michael has tutored at the University of Edinburgh (Jurisprudence; Critical Legal Thinking) and was previously a guest lecturer in Business Law at Queen Margaret University. He was the research assistant to Lady Poole and Sheriffs McCartney and Drummond on their recent book A Practical Guide to Public Law Litigation in Scotland (2019; W.Green)
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Infected Blood Inquiry evidence begins
The first evidence from the infected and affected began today in the UK-wide Infected Blood Inquiry.
The Inquiry will examine why men, women and children in the UK were given infected blood and/or infected blood products, the impact on their families, how the authorities (including government) responded, the nature of any support provided following infection, questions of consent and whether there was a cover-up.
In the opening statement from the Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the Inquiry he said:
“Today is a significant day for the Inquiry. It’s the day we first hear evidence given orally.”
“I want to thank the many who have volunteered statements…some are harrowing, some moving, some chilling. All are valuable.”
“At the preliminary hearings I set out the principles guiding this Inquiry: putting people at its heart, being as quick as reasonable thoroughness permits, respecting a person’s right to be heard, being open and transparent, being independent and being frightened of no one.”
“Every statement the Inquiry receives will be read. Each will be different, and each is important. And the evidence of all those who have made, or will make, statements is of real value, whether or not they give it orally.”
“For many making a statement has been, and for some it yet will be, an act of bravery…. It may have stirred up, and may yet stir up, distressing memories. I understand some simply cannot bring themselves to make a statement because it is too much.”
“I am here to listen. I have much to learn and the oral evidence will be an important part of that.”
In her opening statement, Jenni Richards QC, Counsel to the Inquiry, said:
“The fulfilment of the terms of reference requires us to look at treatment, to look at warnings, to examine adequacy of information provided and the adequacy of support and care given.”
“Those who are not being called to give evidence should know that every statement is read and every statement will inform our findings and every statement will be published.”
“I would like to update on the work of the Inquiry. The scale is unprecedented. So far the Inquiry has received 1200 witness statements and we expect the same again in the coming months. Large scale searches are taking place.”
“Further plans for hearings, following those in October, the Inquiry intends to build on evidence from individuals by hearing from some clinical experts giving evidence about impact. There will then be a pause to review evidence before further hearings beginning in Spring.”
Ampersand’s Aidan O’Neill QC with Jamie Dawson (and Kirsten Sjovoll of Matrix Chambers) as junior counsel, act for Haemophilia Scotland and the Scottish Infected Blood Forum instructed by Thompsons Solicitors (Scotland). Ampersand’s Simon Bowie QC (with Barney Ross of Compass Chambers) is for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and Health Boards is instructed by the Central Legal Office, NHS National Services Scotland.
Details of the Inquiry can be found on the Inquiry website here.
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UK Infected Blood Inquiry set to begin
A UK-wide Inquiry examining infected blood and/or infected blood products opens in London today with a commemoration of its victims.
The Inquiry will examine why men, women and children in the UK were given infected blood and/or infected blood products, the impact on their families, how the authorities (including government) responded, the nature of any support provided following infection, questions of consent and whether there was a cover-up,
3 days of preliminary hearings will hear from Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the Inquiry and Jenni Richards QC, Counsel to the Inquiry, followed by the core participants, ahead of the main hearings scheduled to start in 2019.
Ampersand’s Aidan O’Neill QC with Jamie Dawson (and Kirsten Sjovoll of Matrix Chambers) as junior counsel, will deliver the Opening Statement on behalf of 248 individual core participants, Haemophilia Scotland and the Scottish Infected Blood Forum instructed by Thompsons Solicitors (Scotland) . Simon Bowie QC delivering the Opening Statement for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is instructed by the Central Legal Office, NHS National Services Scotland.
Details of the Inquiry, including how to watch the live stream, can be found on the Inquiry website here.
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