Westwater Advocates has been awarded some 31 individual recommendations in 9 categories in the newly-published 2015 edition of The Legal 500 Directory.
Clerk Sheila Westwater said “The overall performance of Westwater Advocates across the categories cements our reputation as a thriving stable of multi-disciplinary excellence.”
The recommendations are as follows:
THE STABLE
“Westwater Advocates has a strong reputation in family law with ‘many expert advocates’. The stable is also able to provide expertise in commercial, property, employment and regulatory matters. This range allows the stable ‘to meet cross-discipline issues which are increasingly common in today’s market’. The clerking team ‘stands apart because of the friendly, approachable clerks’; the main contact is Sheila Westwater.”
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
“Westwater Advocates has expertise in contract disputes as evidenced in the Rubislaw Quarry case which concerned the interpretation of a commercial contract.”
- Nick Ellis QC – ‘Very effective in court.’
- Greg Sanders – ‘Recommended for contractual disputes.’
CRIME
“Westwater Advocates has expertise in business and regulatory crime, proceeds of crime and fatal accident inquiries.”
- Gavin Anderson – ‘He is experienced, knowledgeable and has the ear of the court.’
EMPLOYMENT
“Westwater Advocates ‘always provides a high-quality service’ and has ‘excellent employment advocates’. Recent cases handled by members include equal pay and constructive dismissal disputes involving large public bodies and banks.”
- Calum MacNeill QC – ‘Expertise in cases concerning constructive dismissal, harassment and restrictive covenants.’
- James Peoples QC – ‘Recommended for equality and discrimination issues.’
- Alice Stobart – ‘Strong insight into the corporate and commercial issues of employment law.’
- David Hay – ‘Displays deep understanding of employment matters.’
- Donald Cameron – ‘He can easily relate to clients and explain very complex legal matters in a straightforward manner.’
- Juliette Casey – ‘A hardworking and dedicated advocate.’
FAMILY AND CHILDCARE
“Westwater Advocates has a reputation as the ‘first-choice stable’ for family law, with an ‘extensive range of advocates able to deal with almost any case’. Advocates are highly experienced in a range of issues, including cross-border disputes and high-value divorce cases.”
- Janys Scott QC – ‘She brings a fully comprehensive knowledge of the law.’
- John Speir – ‘A solid reputation in matrimonial finance.’
- Julianna Cartwright – ‘Recommended for high-value divorce litigation.’
- Kirsty Malcolm – ‘Deals with children law cases including cross-border issues.’
- Lynda Brabender – ‘A top family law advocate.’
- Maggie Hughes – ‘Noted for her broad family law practice.’
- Robert Hayhow – Robust and always well prepared.’
- Ruth Innes – ‘One of the brightest junior members of the junior family Bar in Scotland.’
- Scott McAlpine – ‘A highly gifted advocate, and a first choice for family law matters.’
HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND REGULATORY
“Westwater Advocates has ‘excellent advocates’ within this field. Gavin Anderson has environmental regulatory expertise.”
- Gavin Anderson – ‘Recommended for his specialist regulatory practice.’
PERSONAL INJURY, MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE AND PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE
“Practitioners at Westwater Advocates ‘get the job done to the highest standard’. Their areas of expertise include personal injury, including mesothelioma claims, and clinical negligence cases.”
- Andrew Hajducki QC – ‘Recommended for cases involving industrial disease.’
- Andrew MacMillan – ‘Very knowledgeable on every aspect of personal injury litigation.’
- Laura Wray – ‘Excellent in catastrophic injury cases.’
PLANNING, ENVIRONMENTAL AND LICENSING
“Westwater Advocates is a ‘market leader in planning and environmental law’, with advocates specialising in environmental law, including environmental crime and licensing disputes.”
- Andrew Hajducki QC – ‘Recommended for licensing disputes.’
- Sir Crispin Agnew QC – ‘Expertise in environmental law.’
- Gavin Anderson – ‘Expertise in environmental crime including pollution, waste and planning issues.’
PROPERTY, CONSTRUCTION AND AGRICULTURE
“Westwater Advocates is recommended for agricultural claims. Notable cases include Feakins which involved several members of the stable and saw a challenge to EU regulations on common agricultural policy. Advocates also specialise in property and construction litigation.”
- Calum MacNeill QC – ‘Recommended for construction disputes.’
- Nick Ellis QC – ‘He has a pragmatic and practical approach to commercial property issues.’
- Sir Crispin Agnew QC – ‘A leading advocate in agricultural law.’
- Donald Cameron – ‘A strong rural property and environmental law practice.’
- Greg Sanders – ‘Recommended for construction litigation.’
TAX, TRUSTS AND PENSIONS
“Laurence Cunningham at Westwater Advocates specialises in pensions and trusts issues.”
- Laurence Cunningham (known as Greg) – ‘Recommended for pensions and trusts disputes.’