Westwater Advocates has been awarded 32 individual recommendations in 11 categories in the newly-published 2016 edition of the Chambers Directory.
On learning of the endorsements by the prestigious annual legal review, Clerk Sheila Westwater said “I am delighted to see the stable so very well portrayed in this year’s edition. Our strong showing across a broad range of categories reinforces our position as a thriving centre of multi-disciplinary excellence. It is particularly rewarding to see such positive feedback about our clerking team.”
The rankings include an impressive four ‘Star Individuals’ and three ‘Up and Coming’ recommendations for more recently-called junior counsel. The full rankings of the stable are as follows:
AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS (Band 1)
The members of this stable are well versed in all aspects of agricultural and crofting law, including landlord and tenant disputes, single farm payment and subsidy-related cases, and matters involving renewable energy projects. They are also expert in matters affecting landed estates, and offer advice on conveyancing and issues relating to fishing and sporting ventures. The advocates regularly appear before the Inner and Outer Houses of the Court of Session, the Scottish Land Court and the Sheriff Court, representing rural landlords, charities and, on occasion, the national government.
Clerks: “We’ve always found them to be a top-class team of clerks who are excellent to deal with.” “One of my preferred stables as it is very efficient and very organised.”
Sir Crispin Agnew QC (Star Individual) “The real standout in this area.” “Loquacious on his feet, he is very good at giving opinions and pleading.”
Donald Cameron (Band 1) “He is very eloquent on his feet and good at reacting to matters when they arise.” “One of the small number of juniors with a really good knowledge of rural affairs.”
Neil MacDougall (Up and Coming) “He is really focused; his opinions are concise and to the point.” “He is very persuasive and performs well on his feet.”
COMMERCIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Nick Ellis QC (Band 1) “His softly spoken manner belies a very sharp intellect. He is perceived to have the ear of the court and his arguments always command respect.”
Calum MacNeill QC (Band 2) “His written pleadings were concise and focused. He was eloquent on his feet, persuasive with clarity and structure in his submissions. A respected presence in the court, he inspired confidence in the client and witnesses.”
CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE
Margaret Hodge (Band 3) ‘maintains a broad practice with a medical negligence component that includes cases ranging from catastrophic injury to birth injury cases.’
CONSTRUCTION
Nick Ellis QC (Band 2) “He is very user-friendly, good with clients and has the ear of the court.”
EMPLOYMENT (Band 1)
Westwater Advocates is recognised as being at the forefront of Scotland’s employment law market. The stable offers a formidable group of advocates who are well versed in all manner of employment law cases including those concerning discrimination, equal pay, unfair and constructive dismissal and breach of contract. Members act for both employers and employees.
Clerks: “Sheila Westwater is excellent as she’s quick to respond and efficient. I tell her my budget and she gives me options. She has a great team behind her and comes back to me straight away. She makes my job easy.”
Calum MacNeill QC (Band 1) “He was good at seeing the bigger picture on the case, and his approach to cross-examining was also very good.” “He was responsive, quick to come back to you and easy to deal with.”
Alice Stobart (Band 1) “It’s excellent to see her cross-examining witnesses; she’s no-nonsense and direct.” “She’s personable, hard-working and good at long, complicated cases.”
Donald Cameron (Band 2) “He’s extremely knowledgeable, and excellent at dealing with clients in a sensible, pragmatic way.”
Juliette Casey (Band 3) ‘Her practice has an emphasis on matters of equality and discrimination, alongside human rights and criminal law. She also writes and lectures on subjects related to equality law.’
David Hay (Band 3) “He has great attention to detail, vast knowledge and he’s very approachable – an all-rounder.”
Ken McGuire (Band 3) “He’s approachable and down-to-earth, with good advocacy skills.”
FAMILY/MATRIMONIAL (Band 1)
Westwater Advocates has established itself as a first port of call for family law cases. The team offers outstanding strength in depth, with talented advocates at all levels of call who specialise in every aspect of family law, including the high-value financial provision claims and complex points of law in cohabitation and childcare cases.
Clerks: “The strength and volume of advocates there means you can be sure that whoever you instruct will be extremely good.” “The clerks are really fantastic – very accommodating and nothing is too much trouble for them.”
Janys Scott QC (Star Individual) “Undisputedly the leading silk in the field of family law; she has an unrivalled understanding of technical issues.” “Tenacious and innovative, she applies an academic rigour to all of her cases. She’s genuinely passionate about family law.”
Lynda Brabender (Star Individual) “A superb strategist, she’s exceptionally quick on the uptake.” “She has an excellent combination of technical expertise with superb advocacy skills.”
Ruth Innes (Star Individual) “Bright, diligent and committed, she has a meticulous attention to detail and is tenacious in court.” “Extremely persuasive in her arguments and forensic in her approach, she has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all authorities.”
Kirsty Malcolm (Band 1) “She has a very approachable style, she’s reliable and is extremely well regarded by clients. She’s happy to tackle new issues and provides good advice on risk and possible outcomes.”
John Speir (Band 1) “He has quite an innovative approach and comes up with unique arguments.” “He always adds another layer of expertise and experience. His cross-examination of witnesses is masterful.”
Robert Hayhow (Band 2) “He is really easy to work with, prepared, organised and a really fierce negotiator. He’s good to have on your side.”
Mary Loudon (Band 2) “She is a very experienced family law advocate, committed and caring.”
Alison Wild (Band 2) “She did an excellent job at short notice and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.” “She is diligent, committed and approachable.”
Isabella Ennis (Band 3) “Detailed and methodical, she is always well prepared and her written work is of a high standard.”
Scott McAlpine (Up and Coming) “He is meticulous in his preparation of cases. His legal knowledge and advocacy skills are exceptional.” “He is always willing to research areas of uncertainty and provide a swift and practical response.”
Rachel Shewan (Up and Coming) “Concise, to the point and does not need to be aggressive. She will use reason and evidential logic to get her point across.”
HEALTH & SAFETY
Gavin Anderson (Band 1) “Gavin Anderson is a very experienced advocate. He is very professional, very conscientious and highly regarded by his peers.”
PENSIONS
Greg Cunningham (Band 1) “He is fantastic. He is genuinely interested in the client and wants to understand their position. He thinks about everything and prepares very well.”
PERSONAL INJURY (Band 3)
Westwater Advocates is one of the oldest stables at the Scottish Bar and it has built up considerable expertise across the full range of personal injury work. The advocates at the stable are capable of handling any personal injury matter from industrial disease cases to employers’ liability claims. The stable complements its personal injury offerings with expertise in a number of other areas such as professional discipline.
Clerks: “Sheila Westwater and her clerking team are excellent. They are well organised and nothing is too much trouble.”
Andrew Hajducki QC (Band 2) “He genuinely cares about clients and wants to help them.”
Gilmour Ivey QC (now retired) (Band 2) With a specialism in industrial disease work, he handles cases concerning a broad range of illnesses including dermatitis and asbestos-related diseases.
Laura Wray (Band 2) “She’s very personable and also very thorough in terms of her approach.” “She is caring and conscientious.”
Andrew MacMillan (Band 3) “Andrew Macmillan has vast experience in the field of personal injury. He puts clients at ease. He is personable and approachable. He explains complex legal issues to clients in a manner which they will understand.”
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT
Sir Crispin Agnew QC (Band 1) “He is interesting, inspiring, a good team member and a joy to work with. He was very quick to pick up on technical matters and to understand their significance for the case.”
TAX
Iain Artis (now retired) (Band 2) A standing junior counsel to HMRC who is known for his commerciality and dedication.