Alan has spent his whole career representing Trade Unions and their members in a wide variety of cases. He was appointed a partner at Thompsons in January 2018 and currently leads their Crime, Inquiry, and Professional Regulation Unit.

Alan frequently attends Trade Union conferences across the UK, providing legal training to their Organisers and Delegates, and lecturing on the latest developments in many areas of the law. He has contributed articles to various Trade Union publications and operates the Scottish Legal Assistance Helpline for several major Scottish Trade Unions.

Criminal

Alan has acted for clients in every criminal court in Scotland, dealing with everything from minor road traffic issues, to serious sexual crime, drug trafficking, and other cases tried before a Jury. He provides standing legal counsel to Scotland's largest Trade Unions and their members in regards to any and all criminal prosecutions.

He has also represented clients before the Parole Board of Scotland and in the Sheriff Appeal Court in regard to alleged perverse jury verdicts and miscarriages of justice.

Employment

Alan spent many years dealing with Employment Tribunal cases on behalf of a multitude of Trade Unions and their members. He has pursued unfair dismissal, racial discrimination, and equal pay matters throughout Scotland, all the way to the Employment Appeal Tribunal. He has conducted Judicial Mediation at the Tribunal, and provided ongoing advice to one of the UK's largest specialist Unions in respect of balloting, strikes, and picketing.

Inquiries

Alan has appeared at dozens of Fatal Accident Inquiries, all across Scotland. He has represented the families of the deceased, as well as medical and custody professionals, and police staff. He was instructed in the FAI into the Sumburgh Helicopter Crash, and has represented Trade Unions and their members in such Inquiries for several years.

Professional Regulation

Alan is frequently instructed on behalf of individuals subject to professional disciplinary matters. He has appeared before the Scottish Social Services Council, the General Teaching Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, among others. He provides ongoing advice to Trade Unions and their members subject to such action.

He has represented Union members seeking Professional re-registration following disciplinary, criminal, and/or strike-off matters.

Civil cases, personal injury, and medical negligence

Alan has pursued personal injury and civil cases on behalf of Trade Union members since 2009. He has represented clients in the Sheriff Court and Court of Session, and before the Criminal Injuries Appeal Panel.

He has conducted cases involving minor injures and assaults, all the way up to fatal and birth damage cases. He has acted on behalf of the families of individuals killed in industrial accidents, including complex multi-jurisdictional cases involving saturation diving incidents and fatalities. He has represented clients who are survivors of historic abuse in claims against individuals and sporting and religious  organisations.

Alan has also pursued civil cases in respect of Professional Negligence, and represented Commercial Agents in claims for damages following the termination of Agency contracts. He has been instructed in adoption and divorce proceedings, as well as child contact matters, and frequently represents Union members in matters relating to unpaid wages and/or breach of contract.