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Ampersand recommendations in Chambers & Partners UK 2010 and European edition

12th November 2009

Ampersand has secured 9 listings in the latest editions of the independent legal directory including their top Band 1 ranking, which follows on from the 22 listings in the Legal 500 earlier this year.  The listings are:

Commercial Dispute resolution
Robert Howie QC is famed as a "walking encyclopaedia," thanks to his far-reaching knowledge of the law and "brain the size of a planet." Construction work is a particular forte and he has appeared in, and acted as adviser in, adjudications under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.

At the same set, David Sellar QC offers a first-rate advisory practice that centres on company and insolvency law, and helping clients avoid rather than resolve disputes. Peers profess him to be "highly experienced and technically brilliant."

Another jewel in Ampersand's crown is "the exceptional all-round advocate," Ronnie Clancy QC. He hasn't been visible of late, because of his role as Senior Crown Counsel in the Lockerbie appeal.

Commercial and administrative law specialist Alan Dewar QC is regularly instructed in procurement-related cases.

The "stupendously good" Craig Sandison is a leading light in the commercial property and commercial contract fields in particular. Peers applaud his "ability to come up with angles that others couldn't even think of," and he is also praised as "a tenacious advocate; he gets stuck into battle and is not one for taking a step backwards."

Robert Weir concentrates on professional negligence, construction and maritime disputes. Interviewees commend his "highly persuasive presentations."

Planning
Ampersand benefits from Malcolm Thomson QC's "impressive ability to grasp complex issues; he's a knowledgeable, practical and level-headed tactician with a detailed understanding of planning law."

Ailsa Wilson QC is considered especially strong in the renewable energy sector. "She's very experienced and absolutely great with clients," report sources.

Employment
Aidan O'Neill QC of Ampersand has an impressive portfolio of work and a breadth of knowledge of employment law at both the national and European level. One recent highlight for him was a race discrimination claim pertaining to the employment and funding arrangements for research scientists working on cloning issues at the Roslin Institute.

Competition/European Law – European edition
Ian Forrester QC is acclaimed as “an extraordinary competition lawyer.” According to interviewees, “he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law and excellent communication skills, and pulls out all the stops for his clients.” He acted for Microsoft on its appeal against a Commission decision, and also represented Nintendo as co-counsel in appeal proceedings in the Court of First Instance against a Commission decision fining Nintendo for breaches of Commission antitrust rules.

View the Ampersand profile on the UK 2010 Chambers and Partners website.

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