Laura Thomson KC

Year of Call
2014
Year of Silk
2024
Devil Masters
Ruth Charteris KC
Ruth Innes KC
Lady Ross
Thomas L Ross KC

Contact

laurathomson@amadvocates.co.uk 0131 260 5824 (Practice Manager)

Practice Profile

Laura has a busy and varied civil practice, with particular emphasis on personal injury and professional negligence claims, inquiries, and professional discipline.

Laura is regularly instructed in fatal and catastrophic cases, and in actions that have as their subject matter deaths in state custody, employers’ liability, harassment, industrial disease, sexual abuse and suicide.

Laura was appointed as Lead Junior Counsel to the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry in 2020, and as Senior Counsel to the Inquiry following her appointment as King’s Counsel in 2024. The Inquiry was set up to establish the circumstances of Mr Bayoh’s death following restraint by the police; and to examine the post-incident management process and investigations that followed; and to determine whether Mr Bayoh’s race was a relevant factor.

Laura was a Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government between 2017 and 2024.

Laura has represented clients at fitness to practice panels (NMC; ARB) and is a legally qualified chair of the fitness to practice committee of the SSSC.

From 2009-2012, Laura held the office of Advocate Depute. In this role, she prosecuted (as Lead Counsel) many high-profile, difficult and anxious cases before the High Court of Justiciary. These included murder, culpable homicide, armed robbery, causing death by dangerous driving, rape, and the sexual abuse of children.

Laura's appointment as an Advocate Depute followed a long and successful career in the Crown Office, during which time she held a number of specialised legal posts, including the investigation of sudden, suspicious and unexpected deaths and the conduct of Fatal Accident Inquiries; precognoscing and indicting cases for trial in the High Court; and international co-operation in the investigation and prosecution of crime.

Laura's criminal experience informs her approach to her civil work, and she brings to her practice considerable advocacy experience, sound judgement, and a meticulous approach to case preparation. In both the civil and criminal courts, Laura has extensive experience of preparing and presenting cases which are both factually and legally complex, and in which expert evidence has been led.

Alongside her civil practice, Laura maintains an interest in criminal law. She takes the evidence of vulnerable witnesses on Commission in advance of trial, on behalf of the Crown. As defence counsel, she has been instructed in murder and rape cases, and as Lead Counsel for one of 5 accused in a 14 week High Court trial arising out of allegations of historical sexual and physical abuse in a residential home for vulnerable children run by the Christian Brothers.

Laura has a particular interest in cases at the interface between the criminal and civil law: she was instructed as Junior Counsel to represent a professional footballer in a civil action of damages for rape, both at proof in the Court of Session and in the subsequent reclaiming motion, and has been instructed to pursue civil actions for damages in a number of historical sexual abuse cases since the coming into force of the Limitation (Childhood Abuse)(Scotland) Act 2017.

Education & Professional Career to Date

• Appointed as King’s Counsel, 2024
• AMCIArb, 2021
• Called to the Bar, 2014
• Advocate Depute, 2009-2012
• Principal Depute, Crown Office, 2007-2009
• Admitted as Solicitor-Advocate (higher rights of audience in the criminal courts), 2007
• Procurator Fiscal Depute, Edinburgh, 2000-2007
• Trainee Solicitor, Simpson & Marwick, 1998-2000
• Former part-time tutor in Criminal Law, Edinburgh University

• LLB (Hons), Edinburgh University
• Dip LP, Edinburgh University
• Post-graduate Certificate in Forensic Medicine, Edinburgh University

Appointments

  • Senior Counsel to the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry (2024–present)
  • Ad hoc Advocate Depute (2021–present)
  • Lead Junior Counsel to the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry (2020–2024)
  • Standing Junior to the Scottish Government (2017–2024)
  • Advocate Depute (2009–2012)
  • Legally Qualified Chair to Fitness to Practise Committee of the SSSC

Selected Cases

  • Selected cases: civil

  • Samuel Cameron v Martin Swan [2021] CSIH 30

    Junior Counsel for reclaimer (Senior, Andrew Young KC) in successful Appeal to Inner House.

  • Samuel Cameron v Martin Swan [2020] CSOH 20

    Junior Counsel for pursuer (Senior, Andrew Young KC) in proof on liability arising from road traffic accident in which a van struck a man lying on the roadway.

  • Lord Advocate v Mohammed Aslam [2019] CSIH 17

    Successful application for vexatious litigant order on behalf of the Lord Advocate.

  • Ashley Thom v Scottish Ministers SLC 90/17 (20 March 2019)

    Successfully representing the Scottish Ministers in appeal to the Scottish Land Court - common agricultural policy.

  • Douglas Cassells v David Allan and another [2019] CSOH 14

    Junior Counsel for the pursuer (Senior, Andrew Young KC) in an action for damages arising out of a fatal accident where a pedestrian was struck by a bus. The pursuer was successful in establishing fault on the part of the bus driver, and the deceased’s employer, at proof.

  • Downie v Scottish Ministers SLC/8/18 (2 November 2018)

    Successfully representing the Scottish Ministers in appeal to the Scottish Land Court – common agricultural policy.

  • Anji Mannas v Chief Constable [2018] CSOH 126

    Junior Counsel for the pursuer (Senior, Simon di Rollo KC) in an action for damages arising out of a road traffic accident in 2001. Successful opposition to motion for dismissal of action on grounds of inordinate and inexcusable delay.

  • Brian Gracie -v- City of Edinburgh Council [2018] CSOH 37

    Junior Counsel for the pursuer (Senior, Angela Grahame KC) in an action for damages arising out of a road traffic accident in 1965, when the pursuer was a young child. The case was time barred and submissions were made in terms of s19A of the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973.

  • DC v DG & another [2017] CSOH 5

    Junior counsel (Senior, Dorothy Bain KC) for the first defender in this action for civil damages for rape.

  • DC v DG & another [2017] CSIH 72

    Junior counsel (Senior, Dorothy Bain KC) for the reclaimer in the Appeal to the Inner House.

  • Roger Harris v Advocate General [2016] CSOH 49

    Junior counsel (Senior, Simon Di Rollo KC) for the pursuer in the first case in Scotland (since the coming into force of the Damages (Asbestos Related Conditions) (Scotland) Act 2009) in which the court was asked to determine the methodology appropriate to the quantification of damages for pleural plaques on a full and final basis.

  • John McShane v Burnwynd Racing Stables Ltd [2015] CSOH 70

    Junior counsel, (Senior, Angela Grahame KC) for the pursuer, a race horse trainer who fell from a horse and sustained life-changing injuries. Complex issues of fact and law.

  • Selected cases: criminal

  • HM Advocate v Sean Patrick Flynn

    Junior Counsel (Senior, Alex Prentice KC) in successful application to bring a new prosecution, under section 4(3)(b) of the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2011.

  • HMA v Kelly, Farrell, Egan, Murphy and Don

    Lead counsel for the fifth accused in a 14 week trial arising out of allegations of historical sexual and physical abuse in a residential school for vulnerable children run by the Christian Brothers. Client acquitted of all charges.

  • Selected cases: criminal from Laura's time as an Advocate Depute:

  • HMA v Mohammed Akram, 2012

    Accused convicted of sexual assault of a 4 year old girl, whose evidence was taken on commission by live link.

  • HMA v Ruraidh Docherty, 2011

    Accused convicted of causing death by dangerous driving; both accused and deceased were school boys.

  • HMA v John Nugent, 2011

    Accused convicted of historical sexual abuse of three children.

  • HMA v Kevin Kirkpatrick, 2011

    Rape – one of the first cases to be brought under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.

  • HMA v Robert Clark, 2011

    Accused convicted of historical physical and sexual abuse of two children.

  • HMA v Robert Melvin, 2011

    Murder. Stabbing – circumstantial case.

  • HMA v John Docherty, 2011

    Accused convicted of the attempted murder of his wife of 40 years. Defence of sleepwalking. The only eye witness was the complainer who was supportive of her husband and convinced he was asleep. Complex expert evidence led.

  • HMA v Alan Stewart, 2010

    Accused convicted of causing death by careless driving.

  • HMA v Gary Gallacher, 2010

    Accused convicted of armed robbery.

  • HMA v Robert Black, 2010

    Accused convicted of two charges of assault with intent to rape.

  • HMA v James Whitson, 2010

    Accused convicted of culpable homicide after supplying methadone to a vulnerable teenage girl, in the knowledge that she would use the methadone to overdose to commit suicide.

  • HMA v Gerard Costa, 2010

    Accused convicted of assault with intent to rape.

  • Selected cases from Laura's time as a Procurator Fiscal Depute/Principal Depute:

  • HMA v Marek Harcar, 2009

    Laura assisted the then Lord Advocate, Dame Elish Angiolini, with the international aspects of this murder prosecution; this involved traveling to Slovakia to oversee the ingathering of evidence and questioning of witnesses there.

  • HMA v ICL Plastics and ICL Tech, 2007

    This prosecution, brought under health and safety legislation, followed a factory explosion in which a number of people lost their lives. Laura's role was to draft the charges and indict the case for trial. The accused companies pled guilty and significant fines were imposed.

  • During her time as a Procurator Fiscal Depute, Laura prosecuted several Sheriff Court cases arising from road traffic fatalities - including the prosecution of a police officer who collided with another vehicle during a police chase. She conducted a number of prosecutions in which evidence was taken from child witnesses. Laura prosecuted two high-profile cases brought under health and safety legislation, following fatal accidents in hotel premises. She conducted a number of Fatal Accident Inquiries, including deaths in custody, deaths in the workplace and a complex medical FAI arising out of a misdiagnosis.

Publications & Seminars

Laura collaborated with a crime writer, forensic scientist, pathologist and professional colleagues to stage a reconstruction of a 1930s murder trial at the Bloody Scotland crime writing festival (2019). All performances sold out and the production received high acclaim, with articles in several newspapers. The production was filmed by the Modern Studies Association, to be used as part of the school curriculum throughout Scotland. The film was shown as the closing event at the Bloody Scotland 2020 (online) Festival and was followed by a panel discussion, which Laura chaired. She had previously chaired an event at Bloody Scotland in 2017, in which she debated the need for accuracy in the way in which courtroom scenes are portrayed in works of fiction with 3 lawyers-turned-crime-writers.

Laura has written about her passion for legal education in both the Herald and the Scotsman. She provides occasional advice to crime writers and television script writers on criminal law, evidence and procedure. She is an advocacy trainer and mentor.

During the course of her career, Laura has developed an interest in, and commitment to, helping vulnerable witnesses give their best evidence. She has given a number of presentations on this topic (including a talk on special measures for vulnerable witnesses at a Law Society conference, and a talk to members of the French Judiciary in Paris, organised by the Judicial Studies Committee). She contributed to the Faculty response to the draft Vulnerable Witnesses Bill.

During her time in Crown Office, Laura spoke at numerous seminars on a range of topics, and was interviewed by the BBC for a radio broadcast on the role of the Fiscal in the investigation of sudden deaths. She contributed to the training of A&E doctors on the same subject

Laura served on an Advisory Group to the Scottish Law Commission during the preparation of its Discussion Paper on Damages for Personal Injury (2022).

Directories

Ranked in Chambers and Partners Bar Guide
Personal Injury - Band 2

2024
"Laura is very approachable and highly skilled in this area. She has an excellent manner with clients and puts them at ease. Her written work is of an extremely high quality."

2023
"She is a superb advocate."

2022
"A very diligent, thorough and experienced advocate. She is always well prepared and willing to fight for her clients"
"She is excellent in court"

2021
"She's fantastic - very clever, easy to deal with, and the insight she offers into cases is spectacular."
"She is a consummate professional who is meticulous in her analysis of cases."

2020
"Her attention to detail is really good and she is always so well prepared." "She's very approachable and is excellent with clients."

2019
"Clever, hard working, courteous and very determined."

Recommended in the Legal 500 UK Bar Guide:
Personal Injury and Medical Negligence - Band 2 Leading Junior
2022
2021
'She is an excellent, hard working, diligent junior with many years of experience.'

Additional Information

Faculty Scholar 2013/14

NITA Certificate in Advanced Trial Advocacy

Proficient written and spoken French