January 28th – CPD (2 hours) for the Highlands and Islands Bar by Niall McCluskey

April 2nd – CPD (via Zoom) – Coronavirus Act 2020 by Niall McCluskey

July 9th – CPD (via Zoom) – “What are the practical implications of the UKSC decisions in ABC and XY v SCRA?” by Julian Aitken

December 2020 – Training Webinars provided by Gary Allan QC

The entire membership of Optimum Advocates was both shocked and saddened to learn, this morning, of the death of one of its Senior members, Derek Ogg Q.C. In his untimely death, we have lost an enormous character, and inestimable colleague.

His professional achievements need no rehearsal. He was a committed, fearless and talented Advocate. Today, however, as a stable, we mourn the man beneath the wig. He was a man full of fun, compassion, wit and good humour. To those around him, he was, above all, a loyal and generous friend.

The Gown Room has lost one of its true characters.

But our loss is inconsequential to that of a family which has lost a partner, brother and uncle. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

May he rest in peace.

June – CPD Seminar on Proceeds of Crime by Janice Green

September 2nd – CPD Seminar for Old Bailey Insight & Legal London by Ed Targowski QC

September 6th – CPD Seminar for Old Bailey Insight & Legal London by Janice Green

November 11th – CPD Seminar for Old Bailey Insight & Legal London by Ed Targowski QC

November 13th – CPD Seminar for Old Bailey Insight & Legal London by Niall McCluskey

CPD Seminar for Old Bailey Insight & Legal London by Neil Shand

March 8th – CPD (1 Hour) Seminar with SLAB – Criminal fees update

April 12th – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar by Digital Forensics Expert Jim Borwick – mobile telephone forensics

April 26th  – CPD (2 hours) Family Law Seminar with speakers from the Stable – followed by Hospitality

May 24th – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar in Inverness with various speakers from the stable

June 28th – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar in relation to Criminal Law with various speakers from the stable for the Falkirk Faculty

September 6th – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar by The Forensic Institute

September 27th – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar by Dr Paul Skett and Dr Stephanie Sharp of Glasgow Expert Witness Service Ltd

November – Mackinnon Advocates Winter Reception

All CPD events will be accredited.

Glasgow events will take place in the Corinthian, Ingram Street, Glasgow. Registration is 16.30 hours, with the event commencing at 17.00 hours.

If you wish to attend any of these events please contact Angela Bath on 0141 370 8669 or angela.bath@advocates.org.uk.

Tony Graham, our Stable Director was appointed to the rank and dignity of Queens Counsel in September 2017.  We are all delighted for Tony.

March 29th 2017 – CPD (2 Hours) – Beyond the Basics: Criminal Law Update with Mackinnon Advocates – in conjunction with the SYLA – 29 Private Members Club, Glasgow

April 13th 2017 – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar by Law Accountant Tim Atler “Leaving the Flat Rate Scheme for VAT, Making Tax Digital and how you can organise your accounts to deal with these changes”

May 4th 2017 – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar with Forensic Experts from Keith Borer – Adrian Armstrong “The causes of Road Traffic Collisions – a case study” (1 hour) and Simon Bunter “Cognitive Bias in Fingerprints: What do you think?” (1 Hour)

June 23rd 2017 – Mackinnon Advocates Summer Reception – The Corinthian, Ingram Street, Glasgow (Invite Only)

October 26th 2017 – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar by Computer Forensics Expert Jim Borwick – Mobile telephone forensics

November 16th 2017 – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar By Dr Rhonda Wheate – discussing the mounting international evidence of catastrophic failure across all parts of forensic science, and the things that the criminal bar and juries need to look out for in these circumstances.

All CPD events will be accredited.

Most events will take place in The Corinthian, Ingram Street, Glasgow.  Seminars will commence at 17:00 with registration from 16:30.

If you would like to attend any of these events please contact Angela Bath on 0141 553 4892 or on the email address shown on the website

Frank Gallagher who was a member of our stable for some 26 years sadly passed away suddenly on 6th August 2016.

Although he had suffered with ill health for some time, his passing came far too soon and was a shock to us all.  Frank was a real character and much loved and respected by those who knew him both on a personal and professional level.  He will be very sorely missed by all of his friends and colleagues and others who had the priviledge to have met him and to know him.

JUNE 17th 2016 – Mackinnon Advocates Summer Reception – Bar Soba, 79 Albion Street, Mechant City, Glasgow

JULY 16th 2016 –  CPD (4.5 Hours) Seminar on different aspects of Criminal Court Practice – Various speakers from the Stable – Dundee

For the last few years a group of leading Advocates have organised Conferences at various locations in Scotland on topical areas of Banking Law.  They proceed under the banner of “Trouble at Bank“.  Invariably a complete sellout, these events have greatly contributed to the National dialog on Banking woes.

The latest, Trouble at Bank – the Sequel, breaks new ground by focusing on the increasingly concerning legal problems currently unfolding in the retail banking sector.  Many observers now consider these may have an even greater impact than the 2008 Banking Crisis itself.

What is special about this event is that Jeremy Rose who chairs Bully-Banks, an organisation whose 2,000 members claim to have been mis-sold financial products is coming to Edinburgh to join in discussions with well known members of the legal profession about the extent of the problem.  Also, new lending sources such as Peer-to-Peer Lending which may ultimately come to dominate Corporate Finance in the UK are described and discussed by Asset Match, one of the best known operators in the sector.  Asset Match operate a transparent facility which enables regulated interaction to take place between buyers and sellers of unlisted securities at reasonable cost.

This conference covers key areas of immediate concern to the commercial world in Scotland.  The well known legal figures taking part are Iain G Mitchell QC, Michael Howlin QC and Richard Aird Advocate, all who have had a long involvement in this area.  The topics include:

• Interest rate miss selling
• Banks misrepresenting their lending intentions
• New angles to defending actions brought by Banks
• Defences to Personal Guarantees

Trouble at Bank – The Sequel is being held on Thursday 19th November 2015 from 2.00pm at the Faculty of Advocates Conference centre, The Mackenzie Building, 172 High Street, Edinburgh.  Admission is Free and CPD accredited.  The past events have booked out quickly.  For further details contact Angela Bath at angela.bath@advocates.org.uk or 0141 553 4892.

APRIL 25th 2015 – CPD (5 Hours) Seminar on different aspects of criminal court practice – various speakers from the Stable – Dundee

MAY 14th 2015 – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar – Forensic expert Julian Dunnill of Keith Borer – “Cannabis cultivation – it’s all gone to pot” (1 Hour) followed by Donald Findlay, QC – “Challenges in Forensic Medicine and Science – My Perspective” (1 hour)

JUNE 4th 2015 – CPD (2 Hours) Dr Rhonda Wheate of The Forensic Institute – “The Expert, The Jury, and The Trial: What do we know?”

JUNE 19th 2015 – Mackinnon Advocates Summer Reception – The Slug and Lettuce

SEPTEMBER 3rd 2015 – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar – DNA Legal – “Legal Highs & Designers Drug Testing for Family Courts”

OCTOBER 22nd 2015 – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar sponsored by Mackinnon Advocates for the SYLA.  Speakers are Niall McCluskey, Julian Aitken, Owen Mullan & Wendy Hay.

NOVEMBER 19th 2015 – CPD (2 Hours) Seminar – Principal Forensic Services – “The Integrity of Scientific Evidence: Contamination in the Forensic Process” – Mike Barber, “Interpreting DNA Evidence: How did the DNA get there?” – Jonathan Whitaker, “An Introduction to Blood Patter Analysis” – Gillian Leak

NOVEMBER 19th 2015 – CPD (3.5 Hours) “Trouble at Bank – The Sequel” – banking update for commercial Lawyers & Accountants – presented by Richard Aird with speakers from various Stables – Edinburgh

All CPD events will be accredited.

Registration for Glasgow events is 16:30 hours and the CPD event will commence at 17:00 hours. Most events are free.

If you wish to attend any of these events please contact Angela Bath on 0141 553 4892 or email the address shown on the website.