Westwater Advocates has received 26 individual rankings and Band 1 practice area rankings in Employment Law and Family Law.
The full rankings are:
ADMINISTRATIVE & PUBLIC LAW
Janys Scott KC [Band 2] is renowned for her expertise in family and education law, alongside broader public law and civil liberties strengths. She is also noted for her substantial experience before the appellate courts.
Strengths:
- “Janys’ ability to present complex and novel matters in a punchy and persuasive way is a truly impressive thing to behold.”
- “Janys has an impressive knowledge base and excellent advocacy skills.”
CIVIL LIBERTIES & HUMAN RIGHTS
Janys Scott KC [Band 3] is esteemed for her varied civil liberties and human rights practice, which encompasses her additional expertise in family, education and public law. Recent cases have involved issues relating to religious liberties, children’s rights and deprivation of liberty.
COMMERCIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Nick Ellis KC [Band 2] possesses broad commercial expertise incorporating professional negligence and media law. He is particularly sought after for complex construction disputes.
CONSTRUCTION
Nick Ellis KC [Band 2] of Westwater Advocates is a highly esteemed advocate whose experience in construction disputes is extensive. He demonstrates notable skill in complex contractual matters and in cases that overlap with professional negligence.
EMPLOYMENT – Practice Area Band 1
Westwater Advocates houses an impressive roster of employment advocates who defend and pursue. The stable acts for both public and private sector bodies, including the police, the Scottish Government, hospitals and local councils. Members handle a wide range of employment matters, including discrimination and equal treatment claims. Westwater has notable recent experience in cases relating to pension entitlement. Case highlights include Rhona Malone v Chief Constable, Police Service of Scotland, concerning a claim for sex discrimination and victimisation. A client says: “Westwater Advocates have a number of advocates who are able to deal with the most complex cases and appeals.”
Client service:
- “The clerks are extremely efficient and will go the extra mile to ensure representation is provided.”
- “The clerks are always very responsive and helpful.”
- “All the clerks we have corresponded with have been excellent. They have always responded quickly to any enquiries and been very helpful in their responses with any information we have asked for.”
Calum MacNeill KC [Band 1] is an experienced practitioner instructed in all aspects of employment law, with expertise in handling complex restrictive covenant and unfair dismissal claims, as well as equal pay and discrimination cases. He has represented clients in courts across the land, ranging from employment tribunals to complex cases in the Supreme Court.
Strengths:
- “He is extremely efficient and produced very positive results.”
- “Calum is concise and precise; he distils complexity into simplicity. His written work makes even difficult choices appear as elegant solutions. He is undoubtedly one of the best around.”
- “Calum is our go-to senior for employment and discrimination cases.”
David Hay KC [New Silk] represents individuals, large organisations and local authorities across the whole range of employment law. His particular areas of interest include holiday pay issues, discrimination law, whistle-blowing and the Working Time Regulations.
Strengths:
- “David is a very capable pair of hands for more challenging or complex matters.”
- “David was very helpful and provided excellent guidance and advice on the matter. He drafted a strong skeleton argument and we were confident in our position.”
Alice Stobart [Band 1] provides expert advice across the whole range of employment issues, with added strength in professional discipline matters. She regularly handles complex discrimination issues including those relating to ageism and sexism. Stobart is also adept at supporting clients with difficult cases of unfair and constructive dismissal.
Strengths:
- “Alice has been extremely helpful. She is knowledgeable, and her views on cases are considered and thorough and explained in a very detailed but straightforward way.”
- “Alice is very strong. She is the leading employment law junior advocate in Scotland and is capable of dealing with the most complex cases. Nothing ever seems to be too much trouble and she has provided us with invaluable assistance.”
Kenneth McGuire [Band 1] is an advocate with experience across the whole range of employment law, with particular strengths in discrimination and equal pay issues. He regularly represents clients in employment tribunals and the Court of Session.
Strengths:
- “I have never seen him get flustered despite tight deadlines and opponents providing new arguments and many documents at the latest stage in proceedings. His tactics have invariably resulted in overall success and brought genuinely significant value to the case.”
- “Kenneth’s an excellent employment advocate who provided high-level representation.”
- “Kenneth is a very capable advocate, particularly when it comes to closing legal arguments.”
Colin Edward [Band 2] is noted for his experience in discrimination cases and provides expertise in a range of other areas of employment law, including TUPE claims. He acts for both employers and employees.
Strengths:
- “Colin has always been one of the first names we would turn to for advocacy as his knowledge of the law and advocacy skills have always served us well.”
Neil MacDougall [Band 2] is well versed in matters regarding unfair dismissal, race discrimination and harassment claims. He is also involved in TUPE-related matters.
Strengths:
- “Neil is excellent to deal with. He dealt with a very complex case successfully and was pragmatic and technically very good.”
- “He has strong case management and advocacy; he achieved a good result and liaised with the client well.”
- “Neil is very solid and reliable.”
FAMILY/CHILDREN
Janys Scott KC [Star Individual] is an outstanding silk who is recognised for her roles in leading cases. She regularly acts for clients in complex financial provision cases with overseas assets, as well as maintenance variations across different jurisdictions. She is particularly well known for the breadth of her expertise in children matters involving the Hague Convention, deprivations of liberty and children’s hearings.
Strengths:
- “Janys is the queen of family law. When it comes to Scottish family law, she knows it all.”
- “She has a breadth of knowledge in relation to family law matters that few can match. She is trusted to provide excellent advice and robust representation to her clients.”
- “She is exceptional, thorough in her preparation, well organised and forensic while being completely commercially aware.”
Lynda Brabender KC [Band 1] is a highly respected silk with expertise across finance and children matters. She offers particular prowess in high net worth financial provision cases involving farming and pension assets as well as complex children cases, including judicial reviews.
Strengths:
- “Lynda is the very best advocate for complex family law cases. Watching her in action is an absolute masterclass in court craft.”
- “She exceptional. She combines an incredibly empathetic approach with rigorous preparation and tenacious litigation.”
- “Lynda is strong on all areas of family law, but particularly high net worth financial cases and those involving companies. Her empathy with clients leaves them reassured they are in the best hands and her advocacy skills are outstanding.”
Ruth Innes KC [Band 1] is widely considered to be one of the leaders for high-value financial provision cases, especially those involving complex asset and income structures. Her varied experience also covers highly complex children work, including cross-border work regarding the Hague Convention and sibling rights under the ECHR.
Strengths:
- “Ruth is expert in all areas of Scottish family law and she has a particular edge in international child cases. Her client skills and excellent advocacy skills combine to make her an excellent advocate.”
- “Ruth Innes is one of the best in the business. She is unflappable, and grasps the detail and complexities of the most challenging cases with remarkable speed and ease.”
- “She is a stellar, skilled, calm and well-organised advocate.”
Kirsty Malcolm KC [Band 1] is renowned for her breadth of experience in complex cohabitation cases, particularly those concerning unjust enrichment, as well as financial provision cases involving asset disclosures. She is also well versed in handling maintenance variation issues with cross-border elements.
Strengths:
- “Kirsty is a very experienced KC who is good on her feet.”
- “She is calm, methodical and easy to work with.”
Scott McAlpine [Band 1] is a leading advocate for children and financial matters. He is regularly involved in complex children cases including Hague Convention and ECHR rights for children. He is further noted for his expertise in financial provision and maintenance payments cases involving various asset structures.
Strengths:
- “Scott is superb on his feet in court; he argues creatively and his involvement in a case changes outcomes.”
- “His expertise, knowledge and ability to handle complex international family cases is second to none.”
- “Scott’s advocacy skills are excellent in child-related cases.”
Rachel Shewan [Band 1] has considerable experience and continues to be recognised for her expertise as an advocate in family law. She regularly deals with child abduction, relocation and contact arrangements, with a focus on Hague Convention and Brussels II cases. She also handles financial provision cases with complex asset structures in the Sheriff Courts.
Strengths:
- “Rachel brings a calm and considered approach to complex cases. She is extremely able, talented and composed.”
- “She is excellent, measured and persuasive.”
- “Rachel is an exceptional advocate and quickly gains the confidence of clients with her calm, measured approach.”
Alison Wild [Band 2] is an excellent junior with particular strength in highly contentious children matters. She regularly acts for parents, for children and as curator ad litem in international adoption, relocation and contact arrangement cases.
Strengths:
- “Alison is a pleasure to work with and is considerate and compassionate when dealing with clients.”
Amy Donachie [Band 2] has an impressive, growing practice in family law. She has significant experience in habitation matters and permanence orders. She is also frequently sought to act in finance-related family law proceedings.
Strengths:
- “Amy is very good at giving accurate technical legal advice while being practical and down to earth in a way clients connect with immediately.”
FAMILY / MATRIMONIAL FINANCE – Practice Area Band 1
Westwater Advocates is widely considered to be the go-to stable for the full spectrum of family law matters. Its members are highly regarded for complex, high-value provisions matters including those with overseas and farming assets. The stable is also very well respected for its work in child care proceedings involving inter-UK care orders and disputes around contact and child arrangements. Members regularly act in leading cases and appear at all levels of court, including the Sheriff Court, Court of Session and Supreme Court.
Client service:
- “Service is exceptional and extremely professional.”
- “The clerks are always helpful and prompt to come back with answers to queries.”
- “The clerks are helpful, personable and informed.”
Janys Scott KC [Band 1] is an outstanding silk who is recognised for her roles in leading cases. She regularly acts for clients in complex financial provision cases with overseas assets, as well as maintenance variations across different jurisdictions. She is particularly well known for the breadth of her expertise in children matters involving the Hague Convention, deprivations of liberty and children’s hearings.
Strengths:
- “Janys is the queen of family law. When it comes to Scottish family law, she knows it all.”
- “She has a breadth of knowledge in relation to family law matters that few can match. She is trusted to provide excellent advice and robust representation to her clients.”
- “She is exceptional, thorough in her preparation, well organised and forensic while being completely commercially aware.”
Lynda Brabender KC [Band 1] is a highly respected silk with expertise across finance and children matters. She offers particular prowess in high net worth financial provision cases involving farming and pension assets as well as complex children cases, including judicial reviews.
Strengths:
- “Lynda is the very best advocate for complex family law cases. Watching her in action is an absolute masterclass in court craft.”
- “She exceptional. She combines an incredibly empathetic approach with rigorous preparation and tenacious litigation.”
- “Lynda is strong on all areas of family law, but particularly high net worth financial cases and those involving companies. Her empathy with clients leaves them reassured they are in the best hands and her advocacy skills are outstanding.”
Ruth Innes KC [Band 1] is widely considered to be one of the leaders for high-value financial provision cases, especially those involving complex asset and income structures. Her varied experience also covers highly complex children work, including cross-border work regarding the Hague Convention and sibling rights under the ECHR.
Strengths:
- “Ruth is expert in all areas of Scottish family law and she has a particular edge in international child cases. Her client skills and excellent advocacy skills combine to make her an excellent advocate.”
- “Ruth Innes is one of the best in the business. She is unflappable, and grasps the detail and complexities of the most challenging cases with remarkable speed and ease.”
- “She is a stellar, skilled, calm and well-organised advocate.”
Kirsty Malcolm KC [Band 1] is renowned for her breadth of experience in complex cohabitation cases, particularly those concerning unjust enrichment, as well as financial provision cases involving asset disclosures. She is also well versed in handling maintenance variation issues with cross-border elements.
Strengths:
- “Kirsty is a very experienced KC who is good on her feet.”
- “She is calm, methodical and easy to work with.”
Robert Hayhow KC [Band 2] is a brilliant advocate with considerable strength across the full spectrum of financial issues during separations. He is particularly well versed in handling complex financial provision cases with various asset structures and multi-jurisdictional proceedings.
Strengths:
- “Robert is an excellent advocate.”
- “He is really solid and well prepared.”
Scott McAlpine [Band 1] is a leading advocate for children and financial matters. He is regularly involved in complex children cases including Hague Convention and ECHR rights for children. He is further noted for his expertise in financial provision and maintenance payments cases involving various asset structures.
Strengths:
- “Scott is superb on his feet in court; he argues creatively and his involvement in a case changes outcomes.”
- “His expertise, knowledge and ability to handle complex international family cases is second to none.”
- “Scott’s advocacy skills are excellent in child-related cases.”
Rachel Shewan [Band 2] has considerable experience and continues to be recognised for her expertise as an advocate in family law. She regularly deals with child abduction, relocation and contact arrangements, with a focus on Hague Convention and Brussels II cases. She also handles financial provision cases with complex asset structures in the Sheriff Courts.
Strengths:
- “Rachel brings a calm and considered approach to complex cases. She is extremely able, talented and composed.”
- “She is excellent, measured and persuasive.”
- “Rachel is an exceptional advocate and quickly gains the confidence of clients with her calm, measured approach.”
REAL ESTATE LITIGATION
Nick Ellis KC – Band 2
Nick Ellis KC of Westwater Advocates maintains a broad real estate litigation practice. His expertise covers dilapidations, product liability, commercial leases and an extensive range of other property matters. He is highly regarded across the market for residential and commercial real estate work.
Strengths:
- “He continues to provide a safe pair of hands.”