Former naval officer hopes to make waves at the Faculty

Tim Haddow

Tim Haddow, admitted to the Faculty of Advocates today, brings an unusual blend of practical experience and technical expertise to the bar. Before retraining for the legal profession, Mr Haddow served as a naval officer in a variety of operational, engineering, procurement and information technology roles at sea and ashore. These included appointments as principal warfare officer (communications) in HMS Ark Royal, the then fleet flagship, and weapons engineer officer in the frigate HMS Montrose.After leaving the Royal Navy in 2010, Tim undertook his LLB at Edinburgh University, winning the John Hastie Scholarship for most distinguished graduate of 2012 and the Green’s Prize for best overall performance on the graduate LLB programme.

Following completion of the DPLP, he trained at Anderson Strathern LLP in Edinburgh before starting devilling in 2015.

Mr Haddow will be the only Chartered Engineer at the Scottish bar, making him uniquely equipped to bring his technical knowledge to bear on disputes or inquiries involving complex engineering, technology or project management issues. He is also interested in public law and human rights, having previously been seconded to the Office of the Advocate General for Scotland, where he dealt mainly with immigration judicial reviews. His other legal experience includes general public and commercial litigation; procurement challenges; personal injury; health and safety; fatal accident inquiries; professional regulation; property; private client work; employment and criminal trials. Mr Haddow also brings to his practice his experience as a charity trustee, a former member of the Children’s Panel and a campaigner for fairer access to the legal profession.

He becomes the second member of his family at the Scottish bar. His father, Christopher Haddow QC, called in 1971 and remains a practising member of Faculty.

At the admission ceremony, Gordon Jackson QC, Dean of Faculty, told Mr Haddow: “Some of us have only been lawyers but you have had another career…Bringing that variety of background experience will, I am sure, be of great value.”

He added: “We (the Faculty) continue to have a fundamental responsibility to the administration of justice and to maintaining the rule of law which is essential for any secure and successful society. And in that context, I believe that an independent bar with the highest standards has a vital part to play, and as long as we attract men and women with commitment and talent as we have today in yourself, we can approach the future challenges with confidence.”

Mr Haddow made the declaration of allegiance before Lord Glennie who, on behalf of the Supreme Courts, admitted him to the public office of advocate.

Lord Glennie stated: “The office of advocate is one of the cornerstones of our legal system. The life of an advocate can be hard, but please remember that the life of an advocate is meant to be fun as well. It is challenging, stimulating and gives you access to good company and society, so enjoy it.“

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