Gary Allan KC has practised as a lawyer for thirty three years, having served his apprenticeship in Scotland’s foremost commercial solicitors’ practice in Glasgow and Edinburgh before becoming an assistant and then a partner in a leading litigation practice in Glasgow. There his experience in both civil and criminal court matters provided a solid foundation for his call to the Bar in 1994. He was appointed King’s Counsel in 2007.

At the Bar he has practised mostly in the field of criminal law and has acted successfully for the defence in numerous serious, complex, sensitive and high profile cases. He has acquired a reputation as being amongst the leading practitioners at the Bar. In addition to his main skills in matters such as murder and rape cases, Gary has acquired well merited recognition for his expertise in white collar, regulatory, business and financial crime including Proceeds of Crime issues and issues arising under the Bribery Act.

He served as a Senior Advocate Depute in the Crown Office between 2007 and 2011. As well as prosecuting in the High Court and in the Court of Criminal Appeal, he was appointed Crown Counsel with responsibility for advising the COPFS Health and Safety Division. He offered opinions, advised and marked (i.e. decided whether prosecution should follow ) in most of the fatal and serious cases reported for possible prosecution.

He has represented a wide range of accused including public and local authorities and agencies, public limited companies, private companies, directors, unincorporated bodies, partners, managers and other individuals.

He has appeared for the defence in courts martial.

He has been involved in various capacities in a wide range of Fatal Accident Inquiries including the Lockerbie Air Crash Inquiry and matters arising in the oil and gas sector.

He has defended and prosecuted cases before a wide range of disciplinary and other tribunals, including those governing teachers, doctors, pharmacists, accountants, solicitors, dentists, police officers, prison officers, nurses, and farriers.

He has significant experience of appearing before employment tribunals, both for employer and employee.

He has represented individuals and sporting clubs before the disciplinary tribunals of their sporting bodies.

Additional Information

Gary is an experienced instructor in the Faculty of Advocates Advocacy Skills Programme.

As a junior counsel he served as devil master to no fewer than thirty two entrants to the Faculty of Advocates who are now in practice and remains their professional mentor.

He is a regular, accomplished and entertaining speaker on legal matters and regularly delivers lectures and seminars to lawyers, other professionals and the business community.

He is one of the founding directors of Casus Omissus, a pro bono legal advice service established and run by the Law students of the University of Aberdeen.

Having been a former partner in a successful law firm, a director of a large sports club, and having had interests in other fields of commerce he is acutely aware of the realities of business and regulatory compliance and is in a position to offer advice in relation to a wide range of issues.

Appointments

1980-82: Apprenticeship in McGrigor Donald
1982-1993: Assistant Solicitor then Partner in Hughes Dowdall
1994: Admitted as a Member of the Faculty of Advocates
2007: Appointed Queen’s Counsel
2007-2011: Senior Advocate Depute (Crown Counsel)