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Douglas Ross

Summary

Douglas Ross has a busy civil practice. He appears regularly in personal injuries and medical negligence cases. Since 2000, he has been a Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Executive and has gained substantial experience of judicial review, particularly in relation to prisons and human rights. Other areas of practice include employment law and mental health.

Experience

Extensive advocacy experience includes Inner and Outer House appearances in a wide range of cases. Douglas Ross has also appeared at Fatal Accident Inquiries and before the Employment Appeal Tribunal, Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland and the House of Lords.

Selected Cases

• Somerville & Others v Scottish Ministers 2007 SC 140 - for respondents. Judicial review dealing with prisoners' rights and raising important issues relating to public interest immunity, the grounds of judicial review and the relationship between the Scotland Act and the Human Rights Act.
• Gerrard v Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust 2005 SC 192 - for defenders. Medical negligence action based upon death following delivery of second twin. Issues considered included the standard of care required of an obstetrician and the significance of deviation from normal practice.
• M Petitioner 2003 SLT 219 - for respondents. Judicial review raising human rights issues in relation to compulsory medical treatment of patient detained under mental health legislation.
• Stronach's Executors v Robertson 2002 S.L.T.1044 - for defender. Case brought by fiar against liferenter neglecting property. Issue was competency of decree of specific implement sought by fiar.
• Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Margaret Fewkes at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow (2004-2005) - for Greater Glasgow Health Board.

Appointments

• Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government: 2000 to 2010

Previous experience

• Lecturer in Law, University of Dundee: 1985 to 1987
• Legal Adviser at the United Nations: 1988 to 1996

Education

• Batchelor of Laws (LL.B) with Honours, University of Glasgow (1984)
• Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Law, Queens' College, University of Cambridge (1985)

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