Professional information

  • 2021: Legal Member, Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission
  • 2020 – 2022: Registrar, Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)
  • 2019: Panel counsel, Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland
  • 2019 – 2021: Standing junior counsel to the Advocate General for Scotland
  • 2019 – 2021: Deputy Director of Training & Education, Faculty of Advocates
  • 2017: Law Reporter, Session Cases
  • 2016: Called to the Bar (Lord Reid Scholar); Devilmasters: Morag Ross QC, Gavin MacColl QC, Susan Duff
  • 2018 University of Nottingham: International Human Rights Law (Distance Learning)
  • 2013 University of Strathclyde: LLM Advocacy (with Distinction)
  • 2002 – 2007 University of Edinburgh:  LLB (Hons), First Class (2006); Dip LP Diploma in Legal Practice, (2007)
Professional experience

Jacqueline called to the Bar in 2016, as the Lord Reid Scholar 2015-16, and was Deputy Director of Training and Education at the Faculty of Advocates 2019-21.

She has particular interests in public law, human rights, and criminal justice.  She is a Legal Member of the SCCRC, a contributing editor of Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia (Criminal Law, Public International Law, Human Rights), and has previously lectured in constitutional and administrative law.

She has appeared in a variety of matters in the Scottish courts and tribunals, including the UK Supreme Court, and has been instructed in judicial review and human rights proceedings, contractual disputes, professional liability and disciplinary proceedings, media law, public inquiry, and as ad hoc Crown junior counsel.

Jacqueline also has distinct domestic and international quasi-judicial experience.  She was Registrar of the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) in Scotland, providing legal advice to judges and exercising delegated judicial functions in respect of interlocutory and case management issues.  She is a former Law Clerk to the Lord Justice Clerk (Lord Carloway and Lady Dorrian), developing a particular understanding of effective appellate advocacy and strength in opinion writing.  She is also a former Visiting Professional in the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (assigned to then President of the Court, Judge Eboe-Osuji), gaining experience of international criminal law, including questions of state immunity, and international administrative law matters.

Jacqueline is a board member of The Howard League for Penal Reform in Scotland.  She previously practised as a litigation solicitor in Edinburgh.

Notable cases

Civil Liberties and Human Rights

  • Brown v The Parole Board for Scotland & Ors [2017] UKSC 69: Landmark decision on scope of duty under art. 5 ECHR to provide real opportunity for rehabilitation to prisoners serving extended sentences
  • McDowall v G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Limited [2016] SC EDIN 67: Claim for ‘just satisfaction’ damages in respect of alleged breach of prisoner’s human rights under art. 3 and art. 8 ECHR.

Professional Liability and Regulation

  • Ross Dickson, Petr [2018] CSOH 19: Junior counsel in judicial review of police disciplinary procedures.
  • Kidd v Paull & Williamsons LLP & Anr [2017] CSOH 16: Junior counsel in defence of high value professional negligence and related claims against solicitors.
Select publications
  • The Laws of Scotland: Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia, Criminal Law, 2nd reissue (2020), Public International Law, 2nd reissue (2021), and Human Rights, 2nd reissue (forthcoming)