Our Advocates

Professional Information:

Year of Call: 1995
Devil Masters: Devil Masters: The Hon. Lord Bracadale; The Hon. Lord Woolman
Qualifications: LL.B (Hons) University of Edinburgh; Dip. L.P. University of Edinburgh


Biography:

Maurice called to the Bar in 1995 and has developed a varied and successful practice with particular emphasis on Planning, Employment, Public and Administrative Law, Professional Negligence and Commercial Law as well as general reparation.  He has conducted planning inquires for developers, objectors and local authorities and has appeared on many occasions in the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal.

Maurice is also a Legal Associate to the Royal Town Planning Institute, and was Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government from 2003 to 2012.   In addition to his extensive experience conducting civil actions within the Court of Session (both at appeal at first instance), Maurice has experience of appearing in the Sheriff Courts and the Land Court.  Maurice has also gained jury trial experience in his capacity as an ad hoc advocate depute for the Crown Office, a position he has held since 2002.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Maurice O'Carroll worked in Brussels for three years, initially with the European Commission and then with a commercial law firm specialising in international trade.


Appointments:

• Chairperson Member of the Homeowner Housing Panel (September 2012 - present)
• Legal Member of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (April 2011- present) 
• Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government: 2003 - 2012
• Ad hoc Advocate Depute since 2002
• Vice-Chairman of Scottish Planning, Local Government and Environmental Bar Group (SPLGEBG)
• Secretary and founding member of Faculty of Advocates Employment Law Group since March 2010

Publications:

• Scottish Planning Factbook (chapter 6 - appeals)
• Articles in Scottish Property and Environmental Law Journal
• Monthly contribution to Scottish Property Federation newsletter

Recent Cases:

Major recent appearance and advisory work includes the following:

• Forbes v FM Developments (in Administration), Commercial Court, January 2013
• Jamieson v Nationwide, Employment Tribunal for respondent, January 2013
• Planning Hearing into Hasockrigg Incinerator Facility, for local authority, July 2012
• Renton v Scottish Prison Service, Employment Tribunal, for claimant, June 2012
• Judicial Review re Elgin Retail Park, Court of Session, for petitioners, March 2012
• Harbour Revision Order Public Local Inquiry, Rosyth International Container Terminal, for objectors, mid-January to mid-March 2012
• Inner House statutory planning appeal for housing developer, December 2011
• Employment Tribunal for North Lanarkshire Council, December 2011
• CPO Inquiry: Aberdeen Third Don Crossing, for objectors, November 2011
• Professional Negligence for pursuer: 8 day proof settled. October 2011
• Judicial Review, Court of Session: Waste Transfer Facility, Dovesdale, South Lanarkshire, for objectors October 2011