Simon Bowie KC

Listed as a Leading Silk (Legal 500, 2024)

“A highly regarded silk who is regularly retained to defend institutions and individuals implicated in alleged medical negligence….He is widely recognised for his involvement in large group actions. (Chambers 2024)”

“A thoughtful, detailed, organised and clever advocate who has the ear of the court. A very thorough, calm and methodical approach” (Chambers 2023)

“An excellent strategist…an excellent advocate… first-class skills in dealing with clients… very approachable” (Chambers 2022)

“Regularly retained to defend institutions and individuals implicated in alleged medical negligence…..very responsive” (Chambers 2021)

“A highly regarded silk….an excellent advocate…” (Chambers 2020)

“A highly experienced and astute senior counsel who hides considerable steel under an air of unflappable congeniality” “A highly regarded silk” (Chambers 2019)

“Very good in court… very knowledgeable… always very well prepared” “His attention to detail is second to none.” “Extremely user friendly. Very good with clients” (Chambers 2018)

“Has the ear of the court… excellent at defending cases” (Chambers 2017)

“Very intellectually able… measured, unflappable and very dedicated” (Chambers 2016)

“Always ensures that the client’s best interests are kept centre stage” (Chambers 2015)

“Widely recognised for his work on behalf of both clinical institutions and health professions” (Chambers 2014)

Simon Bowie KC undertakes a wide range of civil litigation. He has “an impressive and broadranging practice which covers a wide range of civil and commercial work.” (Chambers 2014) He has over 19 years experience; he has appeared at most levels of the Scottish criminal and civil court systems.

He has extensive experience of oral advocacy. “He is very calm, self assured, reasonable and a very smooth advocate”. “He has excellent attention to detail”. His “ability to swiftly grasp vast amounts of information is superb.” (Chambers 2015) He has appeared in proofs and reclaiming motions in the Court of Session, and prosecuted serious crime in the High Court and the Appeal Court. He has acted in high profile cases involving complex and novel points of law: shipping/oil and gas law (The “Braer” Oil tanker litigations), construction law (Costain Engineering v Scottish Rugby Union arbitration), negligence/scope of duty of care of police (Gibson v Chief Constable of Strathclyde); corporate insolvency (Geddes Petitioner). Between 2005 to 2008 he was appointed standing junior to the Department for Work and Pensions (social security) and the Home Department (immigration).

Recent high profile instructions/cases: UK/Scottish Covid Inquiries for Public Health Scotland (2023); UK Infected Blood Inquiry for Scottish Health Boards and SNBTS (to January 2023); Mesh litigation “class action” – principal senior counsel for NHS Scotland defending around 500 cases – largest medical litigation in Scottish legal history. Retained by the Scottish Football Association.

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Ailsa Wilson KC

Ailsa Wilson KC has practised widely in various areas of the law since calling to the Bar in 1993, as reflected by the range of areas of interest. More recently, the focus of her practice has been on land-related disputes that include planning, environmental and other statutory regimes. The cases in which she has been involved, either representing parties at hearings or providing advice, cover not only statutory consents procedures but also compulsory purchase and compensation claims. She has considerable experience with infrastructure proposals for both promoters and objectors. Her experience also includes the more detailed disputes that arise from the regulatory environmental protection regime, such as appeals against decisions by SEPA.

Ailsa Wilson’s practice involves providing advice in relation to a broad range of issues that can arise from land ownership, such as property rights and contractual obligations associated with development of land. It also covers interference with property rights and recently she acted for the access authority in a test case under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 in respect of Kinfauns Estate owned by Ann Gloag.

These areas of practice often give rise to public inquiries, appeals to either the Sheriff Court or Court of Session, and applications for judicial review. Separately as a Standing Junior to the Advocate General, Ailsa Wilson has gained considerable experience in administrative and public law areas such education, immigration, human rights and competition law.

Selected recent Cases

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