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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Tony Convery

Tony Convery specialises in commercial litigation and public law. He called to the Bar in 2025 as the Lord Reid Scholar. That Scholarship is awarded annually to the outstanding candidate. He previously worked at a leading commercial law firm.

Tony has considerable commercial litigation experience, including in professional negligence, company and property law disputes. He also has experience of group proceedings, procurement litigation and proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Tony has a broad public law practice. As well as core constitutional and administrative law, Tony has experience in: (i) equality and human rights, (ii) planning and (iii) information law (including data protection and freedom of information). He has a wealth of experience in advising on legislative competence challenges.

Tony also has experience of acting in environmental, regulatory, education and media law disputes, as well as inquiries. He provides advice on trade/financial sanctions and related regulatory schemes.

Tony was a research assistant to Professor Jim Murdoch CBE in relation to the fourth edition of the leading textbook, Human Rights Law in Scotland. He has also published in his own right. He is a tutor at the University of Glasgow.

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Ampersand Advocates excels in Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025

Ampersand Advocates has once again demonstrated its exceptional standing in the Scottish legal landscape, securing top-tier rankings across multiple practice areas in the newly published Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025. The stable has been recognised as a Band 1 set in Clinical Negligence, Personal Injury, Planning & Environment, and Public and Fatal Accident Inquiries, while achieving Band 2 rankings in Administrative & Public Law, Civil Liberties & Human Rights, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Construction, Professional Negligence, Real Estate Litigation, and Restructuring/Insolvency.

This performance underscores Ampersand’s breadth and depth of expertise, with the stable boasting a total of 11 set rankings and an impressive 101 individual rankings across 18 areas of practice for 41 members, which includes 6 “star individual” rankings.

Key highlights from the guide include:

In additional to these Scottish bar listings, Ampersand has members recognised in the London Bar where Julian Ghosh KC is Band 1 ranked in 3 tax areas, Aidan O’Neill KC is Band 2 listed for European Law, and Susanne Tanner KC has a spotlight listing for Independent Investigations in the All Circuits region.

The Ampersand clerks have again garnered widespread praise for their exceptional clerking services, with numerous sources highlighting the team’s efficiency, responsiveness, and proactive approach. The clerks are described as friendly, helpful, and pragmatic, offering first-class service that aligns with the commercial realities of litigation. Overall, Ampersand’s clerking team is recognised for delivering a consistently high standard of service.

These outstanding rankings reaffirm Ampersand Advocates’ position as a leading stable in Scotland, offering exceptional expertise across a wide range of practice areas. The stable’s commitment to excellence and depth of talent backed by exceptional clerking, continues to give instructing agents confidence when instructing an Ampersand advocate.

All of the Ampersand rankings can be viewed on the Chambers and Partners website here.

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New panel of Standing Junior Counsel to the Advocate General for Scotland announced

Ampersand Advocates is pleased to note 6 members have been confirmed on the new panel of Junior Counsel to the Advocate General for Scotland, following the recent appointment process. The list includes Graham Maciver who remains as First Standing Junior, a new appoint of Scott Clair and renewed appointments for Ross Anderson, Giles Reid, Ayla Iridag and Alan Cowan. The appointments are for 4 years.

Full details of all appointments can be found on the UK Government’s website here.

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Ampersand Advocates welcomes Julian Ghosh KC to the Stable

Ampersand Advocates is pleased to announce the addition of Julian Ghosh KC to its ranks. With an impressive track record and extensive expertise in tax, commercial, and public law, Julian is set to further strengthen the stable’s position in these areas.

Julian Ghosh KC is a highly respected advocate and barrister, known for his exceptional intellect and vast knowledge across multiple areas of law. His expertise encompasses corporate work, European taxation issues, Judicial Review, and Administrative Law. Julian is co-authoring the upcoming edition of Wade & Forsyth, a seminal textbook on Judicial Review, and is a teacher of Administrative Law at the University of Cambridge.

Julian Ghosh KC

As King’s Counsel at the Scottish Bar and Bar of England and Wales, and a member of the Bar of Ireland, Julian brings a wealth of experience to Ampersand Advocates. He also serves as a part-time Judge of the First-Tier and Deputy Judge of the Upper-Tier Tax Tribunals.

In addition to his legal practice, Julian holds several prestigious academic positions, including Senior Fellow at the International Tax Centre, Leiden; Bye-fellow at Peterhouse, Cambridge; and Visiting Professor at King’s College London, where he teaches the Law of Personal Taxation.

Commenting on the new addition to the stable, Alan Moffat, Practice Manager at Ampersand Advocates, stated, “We are delighted to welcome Julian to the Stable. Julian is a leading Silk in tax, commercial and public law. He is a strong addition to the Stable and we look forward to working with him as he establishes a greater presence in Scotland.

Julian’s outstanding contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed. In 2021, he was awarded the title of Tax Silk of the Year at the UK Chambers Bar Awards, a testament to his expertise and dedication to his clients.

With Julian Ghosh KC joining its ranks, Ampersand Advocates is poised to continue delivering exceptional legal services to clients across Scotland and beyond.

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Julian Ghosh KC

Julian Ghosh KC is a highly respected and accomplished advocate and barrister, renowned for his exceptional intellect, vast knowledge, and commanding presence in court. He has risen to the top of his field in multiple areas of law, which include corporate work and European taxation issues. Additionally, Julian specialises in Judicial Review and Administrative Law and is co-authoring the upcoming edition of Wade & Forsyth, a seminal textbook on Judicial Review. He also teaches Administrative Law at the University of Cambridge.

Julian is King’s Counsel at the Scottish Bar and Bar of England and Wales and is also called to the Bar of Ireland. He is a part-time Judge of the First-Tier and Deputy Judge of the Upper-Tier Tax Tribunals. Julian holds several prestigious academic positions, including Senior Fellow at the International Tax Centre, Leiden; Bye-fellow at Peterhouse, Cambridge; and Visiting Professor at King’s College London, where he teaches the Law of Personal Taxation.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field, Julian was awarded the title of Tax Silk of the Year at the 2021 UK Chambers Bar Awards.

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