Charles is a highly sought-after Counsel with a busy and diverse practice, focusing on commercial litigation, construction, property disputes, professional negligence, and financial services. In addition to his litigation work, Charles has experience in international arbitration including as an arbitrator. He accepts both instructions to act as Counsel and neutral appointments.

Recognised for his excellence in advocacy, Charles was named Junior of the Year at the inaugural Legal 500 Scotland Awards 2023 and was nominated again in 2024. He is ranked as a Leading Junior across three practice areas by Legal 500, where he has been praised as a “junior with mastery over the facts in a case”, being “well received by judges” and having a “compelling manner in court".

Charles’ clients include corporates, third-sector bodies including social landlords, and individuals. He is often instructed in cases that cross disciplinary lines and jurisdictions, including enforcement matters.

Previous instructions have included representing a social landlord in a complex construction dispute raised by way of group proceedings; acting for former partners of a dissolved partnership in a cross-border commercial dispute concerning a foreign state, including advising on issues under the State Immunity Act; and representing numerous pursuers in civil fraud proceedings arising from a large-scale property scam, linked to what was at the time the UK’s longest criminal trial.

Charles is also instructed in a group of claims relating to private medical treatment including allegations of mis-selling and clinical negligence, together with associated Consumer Credit Act claims against the financing lenders. He has advised on the group management of these actions in the Sheriff Court outside the scope of formal Court of Session Group Procedure including providing draft Practice Notes for the Sheriff Principal’s consideration. In addition, he has acted for a former business owner in defending allegations under the Proceeds of Crime Act. He was also instructed in relation to a cross-border claim for recovery of funds advanced to a spiritual teacher involving disputed issues of foreign law.

He is regularly instructed in cases that straddle multiple areas of law including those outwith his core practice areas. For example, he is often instructed in family litigation with cross-border elements, commercial assets or enforcement issues.

Beyond his litigation practice, Charles sits on the governance committee of the regulator of the Scottish Bar (the Faculty of Advocates). He has also served on the board of a major Scottish Housing Association for five years. He now accepts instructions to act both for and against Registered Social Landlords. He has also served as an ad hoc Reporter to the Law Society of Scotland in relation to professional conduct matters. He has taught commercial law, business entities, and delict at the University of Edinburgh, and was called to the Bar as a Lord Hope Scholar.