Five new solicitor advocates introduced to Court

Five Scottish solicitors, granted extended rights of audience by our Council to become solicitor advocates, have been introduced to the Court at a ceremony at Parliament House today (8 September 2021).

Following their introduction, the new solicitor advocates will be allowed to exercise their extended rights of audience in the Court of Session, the Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

The new solicitor advocates are:

• Nicola Hogg, West Lothian Council
• Steve Matthew, Scottish Water
• Kristopher Kane, Kennedys Scotland
• Susannah Mountain, Brodies LLP
• Eilidh Barnes, Scottish Legal Aid Board

Our President, Ken Dalling, invited Lord Turnbull to administer the Declaration of Allegiance to the solicitor advocates during the ceremony. It is the first time that the ceremony has been able to take place in person, since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ken Dalling said: “I am delighted that we have been able to mark this very special occasion in person once again and I am honoured to be part of the ceremony. It takes hard work and commitment to gain extended rights of audience and all the solicitors should be extremely proud of this tremendous achievement. We at the Society will continue to support them as they embark on the next stage of their legal careers. Congratulations to all!”

Left to right: Craig Connal QC (Civil Course Convener), Kris Kane, Eilidh Barnes, Ken Dalling, Nicola Hogg, Susie Mountain, Steve Matthew