Kenneth called to the Bar in 2022 having trained at Brodies LLP where he worked in the public law and real estate litigation departments.

Kenneth previously served as a member of a Local Authority. On the planning committee he was a decision-maker in respect of all types and sizes of development as well as the Local Development Plan.

With a strong academic background, Kenneth graduated as the first-placed student in his graduate LLB programme. He spent a number of years tutoring Civil Law at the University of Edinburgh. He was a Lord Hope Scholar at the Faculty of Advocates in 2021/22.


Testimonials

'Kenneth Young is very contactable, eloquent and competent on his feet.' Chambers & Partners UK, 2026

'He is very responsive, and delivers what is promised. He communicates well with clients' Legal 500, 2026

'A rising star of the property and planning Bar. He is clever and hard-working, with a 'can do' attitude to legal problems.' Legal 500, 2025

'Kenneth is very responsive and very thorough in his work. A very high quality advocate.' Legal 500, 2025

• Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government, 2024
• Deputy Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, 2024
• Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government for the UK and Scottish Covid-19 Public Inquiries, 2023
• Tutor in Civil Law, the University of Edinburgh (2017-2023)
• Elected Member, Midlothian Council (2014-2017)

• Samuray v Asanov (No 2), [2026] CSOH 64 - Junior counsel in the proof, following success as sole counsel at debate, in respect of a successful claim for repayment of a cryptocurrency loan in the context of a failed SPA.
• Galloway without Pylons, Petitioners [2026] CSOH 24  - Sole counsel in the Outer House for the Scottish Ministers, who successfully resisted this judicial review in respect of 47 km of overhead power lines. The court held that adequate reasons had been given for rejecting the recommendation of the reporters.
• Raeshaw Farms Ltd v Scottish Ministers, 2026 S.L.T. 183 - Junior Counsel in the Inner House for the successful appellant in this planning appeal, in which it was held that it was an error of law for the Reporter not to consider whether the wind farm and grid connection constituted a single project for the purpose of Environmental Impact Assessments.
• Pirnie v Rarity, [2026] CSIH 1 - Sole counsel in the Inner House for the appellant against a decision of the Lands Tribunal for Scotland in respect of whether the respondent's title was habile to include certain disputed land.
• Paul Dixon v Angus Council, [2025] CSIH 29 - Junior Counsel in the Inner House in a planning appeal against the grant of permission for a crematorium. 
• Almond Housing Association Limited v John Docherty, [2025] SC LIV 101 - Counsel for the Defender in an action for removal where it was argued that a new tenancy had been created by the actings of the parties. 
• Papel Payment Services Provider LLC v Monitor Ltd, 2026 SLT 161 - Junior counsel in the Commercial Court and in the successful reclaiming motion. An ex-parte payment order granted by Dubai's Commercial Court could be enforced in Scotland where the parties had agreed that their contract was to be governed by the law of Dubai, and court notices were served in Arabic rather than English. 
• Wheatley Homes Glasgow Ltd v Yasmin Sharif, 2025 S.L.T. (Sh Ct) 56 - Successfully defended the tenancy of a Somalia-born woman who, having fled the civil war in that country, experienced psychiatric ailments. These symptoms influenced her conduct in connection with her Scottish Secured Tenancy. After evidence, including from a psychiatry expert, the termination of her tenancy was found to be unlawful under the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010, and the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. 
• Forthtay Ltd Employee Trust v Scottish Ministers [2025] SC DUN 24; 2025 G.W.D. 19-178 - Counsel for the landowner in the first appeal against a decision of the Scottish Ministers to grant an application to buy land under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.
• Mex Group Worldwide Ltd v Ford [2025] CSOH 39; 2025 G.W.D. 20-186 - Counsel for one of several defenders in a Commercial Court action for £85m in damages. On abandonment each defender was found entitled to agent/client expenses as well as a 75% additional fee.
• Samuray v Asanov [2025] CSOH 16; [2025]; 2025 G.W.D. 7-61 - Counsel for the Pursuer in a Commercial Court action in the Court of Session seeking repayment of a loan. There were multiple contractual documents. The court held that the courts of Scotland had jurisdiction.
• Pepper UK Ltd v Alvey, 2024 UTS/AP/23/0035 - Counsel for the heritable creditor in an appeal to the Upper Tribunal, which held that the creditor had not taken on the landlord's repairing obligations when they took decree for possession.
• Edwardson v The Scottish Ministers [2023] CSIH 45; 2024 S.C. 216 - Junior Counsel for the successful appellant before the First Division in relation to whether a Planning Enforcement Notice had been served out of time where integral fencing had not been completed by the relevant date.
• Strathtyrum Trustees v Hamilton and Collier - Counsel for the respondents in the Sheriff Appeal Court and Inner House. The case related to a success fee for tax planning advice and turned on contractual interpretation. The Sheriff Appeal Court dismissed the appeal and refused permission to appeal. The Inner House likewise refused permission.
• Pringle v Wightman [2024] SC EDIN 6; 2024 G.W.D. 7-53 - Counsel for the defender in this Sheriff Court action of count, reckoning, and payment in respect of rental income said to have been received and retained by a non-owner.