John Stirling

Partner, Dispute Resolution and Solicitor Advocate
Gillespie Macandrew

John is a Solicitor Advocate and has been a specialist in corporate, regulatory and property litigation since 2005.

John has been a Court of Session reporter in corporate reconstructions and capital reductions since 2002. He advised a major international charity for twenty years and is a member of one industry regulator and advises another.

Property litigation

  • Represented Mr Salvesen in Salvesen v Riddell, the first time a piece of flagship Scottish civil legislation was struck down by the Supreme Court.
  • Acted for the landowner in Danish Forestry v Scottish Coal (lawmaking case about the interpretation of contracts (Supreme Court)).
  • Acted for the developers  of the Viking windfarm in Shetland (Supreme court).
  • Acted for the developers of the Seagreen windfarm off the Firth of Forth (Inner House).
  • Acted for the crofting community in Stornoway seeking to develop wind farm proposals in competition with EDF (Inner house).

Regulation

Law Society of Scotland reporter in misconduct and inadequate professional service cases.

Scottish agent for the Health Professions Council.

Acted for the Court of Session in:

Chapter 26 and 26 A of the Companies Act applications by;

  • Premier Oil
  • Devro PLC
  • Urban and Civil PLC
  • John Menzies PLC
  • Miller Homes  PLC

Capital reconstructions;

  • Clydesdale Bank PLC
  • Harbour Energy PLC
  • Restaurant Group PLC
  • BMO Managed Portfolio Trust PLC

General regulation

  • Acted in a series of cases about notices in the construction industry following the Construction Act 1996.
  • Acted for RBS in a series of cases about spousal guarantees culminating in Black v RBS.
  • Acted in Clancy v Caird(about temporary Judges).

John is a former Clerk to the Signet. He is a Notary Public and has served as Linlithgow and Ormond Pursuivants and is now the Ross Herald.

CPD & Training with John Stirling:

Conveyancing Conference 2026

CPD
Live online
13th May 2026 09:30 - 12:30 CPD & training events, Conference, Paralegal suitable|Housing, Civil court work, Alternative dispute resolution, Property litigation, Houses, property and neighbours, Environment
Our Conveyancing Conference 2026 is a chance for practitioners to learn more about the legal developments that are influencing the work of conveyancers and offers attendees the opportunity to explore new and innovative ideas to help them improve their practice.