Education & Professional Qualifications
Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Edinburgh (1999)
LLM First Class, University of Cambridge (Jesus College) (1998)
LLB (Hons) First Class, University of Aberdeen (1997)
Professional Career to date
Devilmasters: Roisin Higgins, Mark Lindsay, Thomas Ross.
2011: Admitted to the Faculty of Advocates
2011 (to date): Tutor, University of Edinburgh (Diploma in Legal Practice and Professional Competence Course)
2006 - 2010: Associate, Maclay Murray & Spens LLP, Commercial Dispute Resolution
2003 - 2006: Senior Solicitor, Maclay Murray & Spens LLP, Commercial Dispute Resolution
2001 - 2003: Assistant Solicitor, Maclay Murray & Spens LLP, Commercial Dispute Resolution
1999 - 2001: Trainee solicitor, Maclay Murray & Spens LLP
1998, 1999: Research assistant, Scottish Law Commission (Partnership law)
1998 - 1999: Tutor, University of Edinburgh (Commercial Law and Scottish Legal System)
Professional Experience
Before joining the Faculty of Advocates, Ross worked for nine years as a dispute resolution solicitor with one of Scotland's large commercial law firms.
His work reflected the diversity of the Scottish economy and focused in particular on the commercial property, financial services and drinks sectors.
As a solicitor, he handled cases at all levels of the Scottish court system, including the House of Lords. Many of his litigated actions were conducted in the Court of Session Commercial Court, and he also ran cases in the Sheriff Court, the Lands Tribunal and the Special Commissioners for Income Tax. Two of his drinks industry cases involved litigation in Spain and Greece.
He has also represented clients in mediations, third party expert determinations and arbitrations (when a solicitor).
His advocacy experience as a solicitor included proofs, appeals, debates, opposed motions and interim interdict applications in the sheriff court, and hearings before third party experts.
Courts & Tribunal Experience
All levels of the Scottish court system, including the House of Lords; Lands Tribunal; Special Commissioners for Income Tax.
Cases
Cases worked on as a solicitor include the following:
Blower and others (the Trustees of the WTL International Limited Retirement Benefits Scheme) v Edwards and Scottish Widows plc [2010] CSOH 34 (alleged professional negligence of pension scheme actuary).
Robert Purvis Plant Hire Limited v Alex Brewster & Sons [2009] CSOH 28 (interpretation of lease).
West Coast Capital (Lios) Limited, Petitioner [2008] CSOH 72 (shareholder's unfair prejudice application concerning Tesco and Dobbie's Garden Centres).
Other
Successful resolution, without concluded litigation, of: high-value professional negligence claim against solicitors arising out of advice on a land acquisition option agreement (at mediation); professional negligence claim against life insurance company arising out of defective pension scheme rules.