Mhairi Richards QC tops legal aid payments table

Mhairi Richards QC received more in legal aid fees than any other advocate in 2016-17, the latest Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) figures show.

Ms Richards received £505,000 in 2016-17, a dramatic increase on the previous year’s figure of £274,000, when she placed third in the rankings.

Dean of Faculty, Gordon Jackson QC, takes second position with fees of £364,000, up from last year’s £251,000.

Meanwhile, Donald Findlay QC received £362,000 for legal aid work in the past year, compared to the previous year’s £288,000.

Gail Gianni, who was paid fees of £279,000 in 2016/17, leaped from 30th place last year to fifth this year.