Three new QCs for Axiom Advocates

14 November 2008

Axiom Advocates has welcomed the appointment to Queen's Counsel of three of their members.

Ruth Crawford, Sarah Wolffe and Jonathan Lake were amongst 15 new QCs whose appointment was announced today, following The Queen's approval and on the recommendation of First Minister Alex Salmond.

David Johnston QC, chairman of Axiom, congratulated his colleagues saying:
"The appointment of Ruth, Sarah and Jonathan as QCs acknowledges that they have each distinguished themselves in practice in the Supreme Courts. There is a rigorous process to becoming a Queen's Counsel.
"Axiom is proud to add these three new QCs to the existing eight within the group. These appointments should ensure that solicitors and others who instruct us continue to have confidence in the quality of our membership. I also believe that today's announcement reinforces our reputation for excellence in the marketplace."
 
Ruth Crawford QC (Year of Call: 1993)
Ruth's practice has concentrated on public law. She was appointed Second Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Executive in 2002. That involves advising, acting and appearing for the Scottish Executive in numerous aspects of public law, with an emphasis on planning. In addition, she has acted for the UK Government and drafted written submissions in respect of challenges submitted to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
 
Ruth also has experience in other administrative matters, such as licensing, mental welfare, provision of pharmaceutical services, professional disciplinary matters and freedom of information.
 
Her other areas of practice over the more recent years include professional negligence (usually for defenders/insurers), commercial leases and construction contracts. She has been instructed as junior counsel in three House of Lords appeals.
 
Sarah Wolffe QC (Year of Call: 1994)
Sarah specialises in administrative and constitutional law, commercial law and European law (especially VAT under the Sixth Directive). She has appeared in planning inquiries, tribunals (Lands Tribunal and VAT), Sheriff Courts, Inner and Outer House of the Court of Session, and in the House of Lords and Privy Council.
 
She represents both national and local government and petitioners in judicial reviews involving planning, human rights, Crichel Down rules, homelessness and licensing and is regularly instructed by the DTI and OFT in regulatory matters.
 
Sarah is also experienced in, and has extensive advisory practice in, commercial and insolvency, property, insurance, professional negligence and banking matters.
 
Jonathan Lake (Year of Call: 1994)
In fourteen years at the Bar, Jonathan Lake has appeared in a number of lengthy cases - the Dunblane Inquiry, the Lockerbie Trial and the Transco Trial. The remainder of the time has been spent in the fields of commercial law, planning and public law.
 
His commercial work has included intellectual property disputes, contract disputes, construction cases, heritable property disputes and has entailed both advocacy and advice.
 
Jonathan's planning work includes inquiries for both developers and local authorities, cases brought in court to challenge planning decisions and advisory work. He has also represented a promoter of a private bill in the Scottish Parliament.
 
He has also been instructed by public and professional bodies to advise them and represent them in various proceedings for dispute resolution other than the courts.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/11/14124443