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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Shane Dundas
Shane Dundas principally practises in the fields of clinical negligence and fatal accident and public inquires. He has considerable experience acting on behalf of NHS Health Boards and medical indemnity providers in complex and high-profile cases both at first instance and appellate levels. Shane has a particular interest in cases giving rise to medical ethics considerations, having acted in several complex and sensitive cases concerning the treatment of vulnerable patients. He has also provided advice on complex medico-legal issues to several bodies (including Health Boards and charities) in an advisory capacity. He is ranked by Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 as a leading junior in the areas in which he principally practises.
Directories
Chambers UK Bar – Clinical Negligence, Band 2
Chambers UK Bar – Fatal Accident & Public Inquiries, Up and Coming
Chambers UK Bar – Personal Injury, Up and Coming
Legal 500 – Personal Injury and Medical Negligence, Band 2
Legal 500 – Crime and Regulatory, Band 2
“The ‘incredible advocate’ Shane Dundas’s strategic thinking, legal skills, communication and attention to detail are second to none.” (Legal 500, 2026 (Personal Injury and Medical Negligence))
“His ability to analyse and bring focus to the core issues of a case makes him an exceptionally skilled advocate to have on your side.” (Chambers & Partners, 2026 (Clinical Negligence – Scotland (Bar))
“He has an incredible attention to detail, and his advocacy is of the highest standard.” (Chambers & Partners, 2026 (Public & Fatal Accident Inquiries – Scotland (Bar))
“Shane’s depth of knowledge and understanding within the highly complex field of medical litigation is of a golden standard.” (Legal 500, 2025 (Personal Injury and Medical Negligence))
“Shane is a standout advocate. I would trust him with any matter I work on… I feel very reassured when I have Shane instructed on a case.” (Chambers & Partners, 2024 (Clinical Negligence – Scotland (Bar))
“A dedicated junior with superb judgement.” (Legal 500, 2024 (Personal Injury and Medical Negligence))
“An outstanding advocate who is great to work with. He is responsive, proactive and excellent in court.” (Legal 500, 2023 (Personal Injury and Medical Negligence))
Selected cases
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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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Alexander Sutherland
Alex practises primarily in public law (including judicial review and planning) and reparation. Selected cases are below.
He was an advocate depute, preparing and presenting cases in the High Court of Justiciary, from 2021 to 2024. He conducted over 30 trials in the High Court, including for murder, attempted murder, causing death by dangerous driving, possession of firearms and rape.
In March 2024 he was appointed as a standing junior to the Scottish Government.
In May 2020 he was appointed as a reporter for Session Cases. He contributed chapters on the sale of goods and (together with Ross Anderson) alternative dispute resolution for the second edition of Scots Commercial Law. He tutored Civil Court Practice as part of the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at Edinburgh University in 2019 and 2020.
Before calling to the Bar, Alex trained with a commercial firm in Edinburgh. He completed his LLB at Glasgow University in 2014 and the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at Edinburgh University in 2015. Before then, he studied German and English Language at Edinburgh University, during which time he spent a year studying in Vienna.
He speaks fluent German and French and is well placed to undertake work involving consideration of documents in those languages.
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