Our Advocates

Professional Information:

Year of Call: 1998
Devil Masters: Peter W. Ferguson QC; Ian M. Duguid QC
Qualifications: M.A.(Hons) University of Aberdeen; LLB University of Aberdeen; Dip. LP University of Edinburgh


Biography:

Neil is an experienced advocate whose core areas of practice are property, reparation and crime.  He has appearanced before most courts and tribunals.

Since leaving Crown Office, Neil has acted for a respondent before the Employment Tribunal in a TUPE transfer case; advised the accused in a waste management prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and appealed to the Scottish Land Court, the failure by a farmer to obtain an agricultural subsidy under the E.C. directives on rural aid.

Neil also has an active interest in human rights law, having given advice and litigated cases involving property and privacy rights (the Land Reform Act; access rights; windfarms and pollution); finance (financial reporting orders; money laundering; VAT penalties); family rights (access to adoption records; choice of sex of embryo); and discrimination.

Neil is a former Gordon Highlander; he passed "P" Coy and is a one time Artist Rifle.


Appointments:

Advocate Depute 2006-2009


Selected Cases:

• Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Petitioners 2009 SLT 363: Contempt of court by media; publication of photograph; whether a celebrity exception.
  
• Catherine Green v Lothian and Borders Police 2004 SCLR 301: Reparation, civil jury trial or proof.
  
• Hill v McAlpine 2004 SLT 736: Prescription.
  
• HMCE v Fong & Royal Blossom Ltd: VAT Tribunal 2004:  Multiple assessments and delay.
  
• McAlister v Wallace: 2003 SCLR 773:  conveyancing; servitude right of "prospect" and view; definition of a line "North".