John returned to practice at the Bar in August 2016 after a spell working as a family law and litigation partner in a busy Highland practice.

Since calling in 2005, John has received a wide variety of repeat instructions with particular emphasis on family and child law.

As well as all aspects of separation and financial provision on divorce, he advises on and appears in cases dealing with adoption, permanency, residence/contact and international child abduction. He has a particular interest in the rights of former cohabitants and has regularly given presentations to solicitors on that subject.

He was one of the first group of lawyers in Scotland to be accredited as an arbitrator by the Family Law Arbitration Group Scotland (FLAGs) www.flagsarb.com which offers parties a less formalistic and more cost-effective means of dispute resolution where they have been unable to agree a solution by either negotiation and/or mediation.

While back in practice, John developed an interest in advising on partnership, mental health and employment law matters.

As well as his civil practice, John has extensive experience in all the Scottish criminal courts, appearing for the defence as well as for the Crown. He has a working knowledge of Proceeds of Crime legislation having appeared as Crown junior in one of the first cases to be prosecuted in the High Court as well as assisting Crown Office in initiating recovery proceedings.

Prior to calling at the Bar, John ran his own business as a proprietor/pharmacist of two pharmacies in the north of Scotland. After retraining as a lawyer, he specialised in corporate and commercial law, latterly acting for both private and public organisations on the Private Finance Initiative.