Qualifications

LL.B (Hons) University of Edinburgh

Dip.LP University of Edinburgh

Special interests

Family

Public and fatal accident inquiries

Public law, including judicial review and human rights

Biography

John specialises in child and family law.

He has experience in children’s referrals, permanence, adoption, section 11 proceedings, financial provision on divorce, cohabitation claims and surrogacy.

John has a particular interest in cross border family issues including the relocation of children and proceedings under the Hague Convention.

As a solicitor, John instructed cases involving the nobile officium and judicial reviews concerning child related issues including one which was decided in the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. John also has experience of public inquiries involving rights and duties relating to children, young people and statutory bodies.

John is a tutor in Family Law (Ordinary) at the University of Edinburgh and has taught on the Child Law (Honours) course. He is a co-editor to Butterworth’s Scottish Family Law Service and regularly contributes to the W. Green Family Law Bulletin. He previously volunteered with the Scottish Child Law Centre.