Shaun called to the Bar as a Lord Hope Scholar and specialises in criminal law, children’s referrals, family law and regulatory matters, with particular expertise in sexual offences. Prior to calling, Shaun was a Procurator Fiscal Depute for five years, conducting trials at all Sheriff Court levels, including Sheriff and Jury. He spent three years in the specialist High Court Sexual Offences Unit at COPFS, where he developed substantial expertise in complex cases involving multiple complainer Moorovs, repressed memories, docket offending and section 275 applications. He gained significant experience in cases involving vulnerable complainers including children and with specifications for complainer’s records and telephones. Shaun prepared the first case to libel uncorroborated rapes within a section 1 Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 charge.

Before joining COPFS, Shaun practised in family law and children’s hearings, regularly appearing in child contact/residence disputes and children’s referral proceedings. His experience in children’s referrals is particularly extensive, having served as a Children’s Panel member for three years prior to qualifying as a solicitor. His traineeship at an international firm covered medical negligence, health and safety prosecutions, and professional liability. This included regulatory work and disciplinary proceedings before the GMC, GDC and SSSC. He also worked at the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, handling complex cases involving historic sexual crime, in particular related to grooming gangs and care institutions.

During devilling, Shaun gained public inquiry experience through the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry and Fatal Accident Inquiries. He also gained further knowledge of complex medical negligence matters.

He has tutored Criminal Law and Evidence at Strathclyde University since 2018, maintaining academic rigour alongside practice.