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Axiom Advocates

Advocates Library, Parliament House, Edinburgh, EH1 1RF

Telephone: 0131 226 2881
facsimile: 0131 225 3642
Email: Clerks
DX ED 549302
Edinburgh 36

Public Law, Judicial Review and Human Rights

Areas of Specialism

Public Law, Judicial Review and Human Rights


Public law, sometimes called administrative law, regulates the legal relationship between public authorities and private organisations and individuals.

Public law disputes are usually dealt with by a petition for judicial review in the Court of Session or by way of a statutory appeal procedure.

Judicial review allows individuals and businesses to challenge the decisions made by Ministers, Government Departments, local authorities and other public bodies. These bodies can include professional organisations, regulatory bodies, planning authorities and some tribunals.

The Human Rights Act 1998 significantly expanded the scope to challenge decisions made by public bodies by making it unlawful for public bodies to act incompatibly with certain provisions of the European Convention on Human rights (“ECHR”).

The courts can strike down delegated legislation and Acts of the Scottish Parliament. Axiom members have significant expertise in constitutional law and have acted in the leading cases that have arisen since devolution and the creation of the Scottish Parliament.

Members of Axiom Advocates have extensive experience in all aspects of public law and have appeared in the majority of the leading cases in this area in recent years.

Members have significant experience in relation to:

  • Constitutional law
  • Judicial Review
  • Human Rights & civil liberties
  • Local government
  • Planning & environmental law
  • Data protection & privacy
  • Freedom of information
  • Immigration & nationality
  • Mental health
  • Police & prison law
  • Housing law
  • Education law
  • Public Inquiries
  • Public procurement
  • Regulatory & disciplinary law

Advocates in : Public Law, Judicial Review and Human Rights Order by Seniority

Sean Smith QC

Sean Smith QC

Call: 1999 | Silk: 2012
James Mure QC

James Mure QC

Call: 1995 | Silk: 2009
Megan Dewart

Megan Dewart

Call: 2019
Helen Watts

Helen Watts

Call: 2009
David Welsh

David Welsh

Call: 2017
Scott Manson

Scott Manson

Call: 2014
Roddy Dunlop QC

Roddy Dunlop QC

Call: 1998 | Silk: 2010
Martin Richardson QC

Martin Richardson QC

Call: 2004 | Silk: 2017
The Lord (Neil) Davidson of Glen Clova QC

The Lord (Neil) Davidson of Glen Clova QC

Call: 1979 | Silk: 1993
Adam McKinlay

Adam McKinlay

Call: 2018
Jacqueline Fordyce

Jacqueline Fordyce

Call: 2016
David Johnston QC

David Johnston QC

Call: 1992 | Silk: 2005
Chris Paterson

Chris Paterson

Call: 2010
Mark Lindsay QC

Mark Lindsay QC

Call: 1996 | Silk: 2011
Alastair Duncan QC

Alastair Duncan QC

Call: 1999 | Silk: 2012
Ruth Crawford QC

Ruth Crawford QC

Call: 1993 | Silk: 2008
David Thomson QC

David Thomson QC

Call: 2004 | Silk: 2017
Jonathan Barne QC

Jonathan Barne QC

Call: 2003 | Silk: 2017
Euan Duthie

Euan Duthie

Call: 2006
Heriot Currie QC

Heriot Currie QC

Call: 1979 | Silk: 1992
The Lord Keen of Elie QC - Advocate General for Scotland (non-practising)

The Lord Keen of Elie QC - Advocate General for Scotland (non-practising)

Call: 1980 | Silk: 1993
David Massaro

David Massaro

Call: 2014
Morag Ross QC

Morag Ross QC

Call: 2003 | Silk: 2016
John N M MacGregor

John N M MacGregor

Call: 2007
Ewen Campbell

Ewen Campbell

Call: 2013
Lesley Irvine

Lesley Irvine

Call: 2012
Dan Byrne

Dan Byrne

Call: 2010
Gerry Moynihan QC

Gerry Moynihan QC

Call: 1985 | Silk: 1997
Susan Ower

Susan Ower

Call: 2009
Paul O’Brien

Paul O’Brien

Call: 2004
Kenny McBrearty QC

Kenny McBrearty QC

Call: 2000 | Silk: 2013
Jonathan Lake QC

Jonathan Lake QC

Call: 1994 | Silk: 2008

Axiom Advocates Advocates Library Parliament House Edinburgh EH1 1RF
Tel: 0131 226 2881 Fax: 0131 225 3642 | Registered No.48261 Scotland.