Meet Scotland's 15 new solicitor advocates ready to represent clients in highest courts

The Law Society of Scotland has granted extended rights of audience to 15 new solicitor advocates in two ceremonies at the end of February.

These new solicitor advocates, who work across the public and private sectors, can appear in the High Court, the Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

The ceremony, overseen by Law Society of Scotland President Patricia Thom and Lord Lake, whom she invoted to administer the Declaration of Allegiance, took place at Parliament House, Edinburgh, on Wednesday February 18 and Friday February 20.

The Society President said: “It’s a proud moment for each and every one of our newest solicitor advocates. They have shown huge commitment and dedication in juggling demanding workloads and busy personal lives with the many hours of further training and exams required to represent their clients in our highest courts.

"I’m honoured to have been part of this week’s ceremonies and to have the opportunity to celebrate with them alongside their families and friends.”

Full list of incoming solicitor advocates

New solicitor advocates who obtained rights of audience on Wednesday, 18 February:

• Ian Scott, Bruce McCormack Limited
• David Fitzpatrick, Rradar (Scotland) Limited
• Taylor Muir, Russells Gibson McCaffrey
• Gemma McKechnie, COPFS
• Jack Caster, COPFS
• Lauren Donnelly, COPFS

New solicitor advocates who obtained rights of audience on Friday, 20 February:

• Paul Sutherland, Murphy Robb & Sutherland
• Jaclyn Robetson, Robertson Wyse
• Rachel Aedy, COPFS
• Andrew Ormiston, Ormiston & Co
• Liam McAllister, Lefevre Litigation
• Daniel Cameron, John Pryde SSC
• Rebecca Thompson, COPFS
• David Rogers, COPFS
• Kavin Ryan-Hume, COPFS

How to become a solicitor advocate

Solicitor advocates are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland and have rights of audience for the Court of Session, the Supreme Court, and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (Civil) and the High Court of Justiciary, and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (Criminal).

Solicitor advocates are, according to the Society, solicitors 'first and foremost' and that is where the majority of experience and court training will stem from.

The Statement of Standards for Solicitor Advocates – Performance Indicators form the basis for assessment under the Law Society of Scotland Rights of Audience Requirements and Rules. A solicitor advocate must be competent in each of these at the level required to practice effectively in the Courts to which rights of audience are sought.

All applicants should be aware that the whole process from applications opening to obtaining extended rights of audience can take up to twelve months.

Find out more from the Law Society of Scotland Rights of Audience page.