Back to Our Advocates

Areas of expertise

Professional information

  • 2025: Statutory Inquiry Committee – House of Lords
  • 2006-2010: Advocate General for Scotland
  • 2006: Davidson Review – Implementation of EU legislation
  • 2000-2001: Solicitor General for Scotland
  • 1984-1993: Standing junior to various UK government departments
Professional experience

‘A superb strategist with immense experience and a great insight into the mind of the bench – a brilliantly understated cross-examiner’ Chambers UK

Lord Davidson has over 40 years’ experience which has involved him in many of the major commercial and public law cases in both Scotland, the Supreme Court of the UK and the Privy Council. In addition he has been instructed in international and maritime arbitration, proceedings about defamation, procurement, patents, state aids, M&A, banking, public inquiry and national security. He has been instructed in cases and advisory matters concerning jurisdictions including the US, China, EU recently covering Latvia and Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, India, Nigeria, Thailand, UAE and East Caribbean.

He has substantial experience in providing strategic advice. This can be at the point of decision making whether in pre dispute or in litigation or arbitration or in general matters requiring complex analysis. As co-founder of a major strategy consultant Lord Davidson understands the strategic imperative that may face decision makers from time to time especially in the international context.

He has been involved for defending corporations in recent group proceedings in the UK involving diesel emissions and overseas plantation owners.

He was a member of the House of Lords Committee in 2025 examining the conduct of public inquiries in the UK

Notable cases

Shareholder disputes

  • Cheyne v Balmoral [2021] CSOH 17 – Unfair Prejudice; International winch company
  • Gray v Braid Group [2016] CSIH 68 – Unfair Prejudice; International logistics company

Asset recovery

  • Petroceltic Resources v Archer [2019] CSOH 15 – Bulgarian oil & gas issue
  • Heather Capital v Levy and Macrae [2017] CSIH 19 – Hedge fund fraud

Contested schemes of arrangement

  • Premier Oil v ARCM [2020] CSOH 39 – Oil & Gas company
  • Scottish Lion v Goodrich [2011] CSIH 18 – Insurance run-off

Procurement

  • Roche Diagnostics Limited v Greater Glasgow Health Board & Abbott Laboratories Limited [2024] CSOH 90 – Major dispute
  • Capita Business Services Limited v The Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service [2023] CSOH 9 – Framework agreement on broadband
  • Dem-Master v Renfrewshire Council [2016] CSOH 150 – Tender corrections
  • Street Lighting Supplies v Scotland Excel [2014] CSOH 145 – Lighting contract

Commercial

  • Daniel Donald v David Booth [2026] CSIH 35 – Terms of oral joint venture agreement
  • Rocep-Lusol Holdings Limited v Lindal Dispenser GmbH [2025] CSIH 20 – Enforceability of royalty obligations of patent
  • Andrew Marr International v Tait [2021] CSOH 121 – Breach of warranty claim
  • Prickly Bay v British American Insurance Co. 2020/0001 JCPC – Caribbean properties
  • DNO Oman v Clouston [2019] CSIH 1 – Islamic Law – UAE
  • MacDonald v Carnbroe Estates [2019] UKSC 57 – Pre-insolvency property sales
  • SI 2016 v AMA [2019] CSOH 99 – Contractual interpretation
  • Zahid v Duthus Group [2018] CSOH 59 – Implication of contractual terms
  • Henderson v Foxworth Investments [2014] UKSC 41– Gratuitous consideration in liquidation
  • McGraddie v McGraddie [2013] UKSC 58 – Findings of fact on appeal

Construction

  • Prospect Healthcare v Kier Build [2018] CSIH 43 – Expenses – Relief from sub-contractor

Public law

  • John Paton & Sons Ltd v Glasgow City Council & The Scottish Ministers [2023] CSOH 74 – Low Emissions Zone challenge
  • The University of Dundee v Chakraborty [2023] CSIH 22 – Extent of privilege
  • The Scottish Association of Landlords v Lord Advocate & The Scottish Ministers [2023] CSOH 76 – Rent restriction imposed by law
  • Smith v Scottish Legal Complaints Commission [2020] CSIH 19 – professional conduct issue
  • Raeshaw Farms Limited v Scottish Natural Heritage [2017] CSOH 50 – Licensing of grouse moor

Group Proceedings

  • Milligan v Jaguar Land Rover [2025] CSIH 16 – Challenge to representative party
  • Bridgehouse v BMW [2024] CSOH 2 – Standing of representative party
  • Campbell v James Finlay (Kenya) LTD [2023] CSIH 39 – Sist/ stay of claim for tea workers
  • Campbell v James Finlay (Kenya) Ltd [2022] CSOH 61– Tea plantation workers claim – Kenya

International Law

  • Elly Okong’o Ingan’ga and others v Browns Plantations Kenya Limited [2026] SC EDIN 10 – Proof of Kenyan law
  • Dno Oman Ltd v Grant Clouston [2019] CSIH 1 – Proof of UAE Law