Timothy Young

‘Timothy Young is an excellent leading junior and operates at the very top of the junior Bar. He has experience of complex areas of corporate, property and commercial law which few can match.’ (Chambers (2025) – Commercial Dispute Resolution and Real Estate Litigation – Scotland)

‘Timothy Young is very technically adept and super diligent.’ (Chambers (2025) – Construction – Scotland)

‘Timothy is extremely bright and capable; he is impressive’ (Chambers (2025) – Commercial Dispute Resolution – Scotland)

‘He is a powerful and focused advocate and enjoys the respect of judges.’ (Legal 500 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

‘Timothy is a very astute operator who commands the confidence of clients and solicitors alike.’ (Chambers (2024) – Commercial Dispute Resolution – Scotland)

‘His intellectual prowess and ability to quickly and competently ascertain the critical considerations of a case and the best strategy moving forward is matched with a formidable style of advocacy.’ (Chambers (2024) – Construction)

‘He is one of the best advocates at the Bar. He is very bright and very user-friendly’ (Chambers (2023) – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

‘Tim is excellent. He is regularly instructed in public law matters and his written work is exceptional.’ (Chambers (2023) – Administrative and Public Law)

Tim Young is a leading junior counsel in commercial and public law disputes at the Scottish bar. He has been widely recognised as such in all the major legal directories including Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal.

He is regularly instructed – both led and unled – in the most important, complex, and high-value commercial cases before the Scottish courts and in arbitrations.

He has extensive experience and expertise in commercial contract disputes (particularly complex construction and IT contract matters), civil fraud and bribery, trusts, banking, company, insolvency, and shipping and maritime law. He is also a contributing editor to leading practitioner texts in these areas, the Companies Law (reissue) and Shipping and Maritime Law (reissue) volumes of The Laws of Scotland: Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia.

He has also been retained by the defenders in several sets of group proceedings relating to diesel emissions and has been heavily involved in several recent and important decisions on the proper approach to such litigations.

He also has a very extensive experience in all commercial and agricultural property matters. He has conducted many cases in relation to the electronic communications code, crofting, agricultural tenancies, commercial leases, servitudes, rights of way, and title disputes.

In addition to his heavy weight commercial practice, he also has substantial experience of judicial review and statutory appeals in the field of public and administrative law. He is particularly sought after for his experience in dealing with human rights challenges, malicious prosecution cases, public procurement disputes, and professional discipline matters. As well as appearing in Court, he has appeared in a wide variety of tribunals, committees, and disciplinary hearings. Tim has also been appointed as a Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government, and regularly appears in the courts for the Scottish Government.

He graduated with a first class honours from the University of Strathclyde. Throughout his career, he has maintained links with academia through tutoring Business Entities and Constitutional Law at both the University of Edinburgh and Napier University, and as an external examiner at Robert Gordon University. He is also the Deputy Editor of the official law report series in Scotland, Session Cases.

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Kathryn Ferguson

Kathryn Ferguson joined Ampersand in 2018 and has completed Paralegal qualifications in both Conveyancing and Wills and Executries. Prior to joining the team Kathryn worked for a global law firm supporting the Commercial Real Estate and Litigation teams.

Kathryn brings a can-do approach and is always willing to assist in all aspects of instructing counsel.

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Stephen Bell

Stephen Bell called in 1996 after 13 years in practice as a solicitor during which he was a litigation partner in firms in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. He has a wide ranging civil practice, including family law (both financial provision and child law), commercial law and reparation. He is regularly instructed in professional negligence cases, including medical negligence. He acts for and against private individuals and corporations. He also has experience of acting for and against local authorities, particularly in adoption applications. He provides written advice on a wide variety of matters.

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Robert Howie KC

Robert Howie KC was admitted as an advocate in 1986. He took silk in 2000. He has been involved in a large number of adjudications as Counsel, legal adviser or adjudicator. He has also acted as the Court’s reporter in several petition cases including Earl of Balfour, Petitioner 2003 SC (HL) 1 and Chisholm, Petitioner 2006 SLT 394. He regularly appears in the Inner and Outer Houses of the Court of Session. He has appeared in the Sheriff Court, the Lands Tribunal and in several Arbitrations. Robert Howie has also led in the House of Lords and the UK Supreme Court.

Robert Howie KC is ranked in the current edition of Chambers and Partners under 4 areas of practice. In Construction Law he is described as “A really great lawyer who is deserving of his great reputation and an opponent to be reckoned with… He is very good at marshalling and dealing with legal arguments.” He is also ranked in Chambers and Partners for Insolvency described as being “very commercially and tactically minded… His advice is always first-class, clear, well thought out and supported by detailed knowledge of case law.” Under Commercial Dispute Resolution “His thoroughness and knowledge are second to none… He is one of the cleverest advocates at the Scottish Bar. He’s near the top of the pile in terms of quality commercial work.” And under Professional Negligence “He has an amazing ability to come up with a left-field argument… He is very bright, very able and an inventive thinker.”

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Sheena Hume

Sheena joined Ampersand in 2015. Prior to joining us, Sheena worked at a top Edinburgh Law firm, initially as a trainee then as a Solicitor in their Employment Department. Sheena holds a LL.B and Legal Practice Diploma from the University of Edinburgh.

Sheena’s legal experience provides her with ideal insight to assist with all inquires in relation to instructing counsel. Sheena brings a friendly and professional service to the Clerking team and is always ready to assist.

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Shawn McArthur

Shawn McArthur joined Ampersand in 2018. Prior to joining Ampersand Shawn was a Legal Secretary at a global law firm, based in Edinburgh, working Dispute Resolution and prior to that worked in Property and Insolvency teams.

Shawn brings a friendly outlook and efficient work ethic to the team.

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