David D Anderson

David is an expert in housing, homelessness, social work and other areas of local government law.  In the local government context he has also dealt with planning, education, local taxation, and other varied matters.  David maintains a broad practice also dealing with other private and public law cases such as personal injury, property law, succession and commercial matters.

David has conducted substantive hearings at all levels of the courts and tribunals in Scotland.  He has acted for and against public bodies, large and small companies, private and social landlords, and individuals.

David is ranked in Band 2 by Chambers and Partners for public and administrative law. He is a member of the Scottish Planning, Local Government and Environment Bar Group (“SPLGEBG”) and TrustBar, the Trusts, Fiduciaries and Executries Bar Group.  David is on the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s panel of legal assessors for regulatory proceedings.

He is also the honorary law officer of a golf club, and an assistant beaver scout leader.

Selected Cases

Simply Inverness v. Highland Council [2025] SAC (Civ) 1

Representing local authority in appeal by care home provider against sheriff’s decision to refuse application for suspension of diligence

Y v. Glasgow City Council [2024] CSOH 113

Representing petitioner in judicial review of local authority performance of statutory duties owed to her

Redcroft Care Homes v. City of Edinburgh Council [2024] CSIH 34

Representing local authority in appeal against decision that judicial review of care home funding decision was not competent and separately without merit

Y & Others v. NHS Grampian [2024] CSOH 72

Representing child and family in action against health board alleging interference with their article 8 right to respect for private and family life

Boyle v. Denton [2024] SAC (Civ) 20

Representing appellant in appeal against sheriff’s decision to grant welfare guardianship in favour of the respondent, without hearing evidence

Marshall v. Berkshire Hathaway International Insurance Company Limited [2024] SAC (Civ) 13

Representing respondent in appeal against sheriff’s decision to award damages in his favour without reliance on expert medical evidence

Mack v. Standards Commission [2022] CSIH 15

Representing local councillor in appeal against decision by the Standards Commission for Scotland to disqualify him from office

Dafaalla v. City of Edinburgh Council [2022] CSIH 30

Representing local authority in judicial review relating to their duties to homeless persons

Argyll Community Housing Association v. George 2021 SAC (Civ) 9

Representing landlord in appeal by tenant based on alleged failure to follow statutory guidance on streamlined eviction procedure

North Lanarkshire Council v. Kelly [2022] SC HAM 26

Representing landlord in action for recovery for possession defended on human rights grounds

Khaliq v. Gutowski [2018] CSIH 66

Representing respondent in appeal against sheriff appeal court decision to refuse appeal due to default

M v. The City of Edinburgh Council [2017] CSIH 24

Representing a local authority in an Inner House appeal by a tenant from a decision of the lands tribunal concerning the nature of his right to buy his council house

Falkirk Council v. Gillies [2016] CSIH 90

Representing a tenant in an inner house appeal against a sheriff principal’s decision that he did not have a Scottish secure tenancy under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001

East Lothian Council v. Martin [2015] CSIH 13

Representing a local authority in opposing an appeal by the owner of livestock against decisions made by a sheriff under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2005