Alistair Barbour and Debbie Reekie were admitted at a calling ceremony in the Court of Session. They now have extended rights of audience before the superior civil courts in Scotland as well as the Supreme Court.

Mr Barbour specialises in personal injury actions and having gained four years’ experience as a pursuers’ agent, he has focused for the last seven years at BTO on the defence of personal injury actions, including employer’s liability, occupier’s liability, public liability, motor claims and claims arising from occupational stress.

Ms Reekie, a Law Society of Scotland accredited specialist in family law, trained mediator and collaborative lawyer, deals with all aspects of family law, including financial provision on separation and divorce, cohabitation cases, prenuptial agreements and cases involving children. She previously worked as a criminal defence agent.

David Gibson, chairman at BTO, said: “I am delighted that Alistair and Debbie have achieved this qualification. Their new appointments illustrate their impressive legal and advocacy skills and are a welcome addition to our hugely talented ADVantage team, all of whom are committed to offering advocacy services as a “one stop shop” direct to our clients and to other firms of solicitors who lack their own advocacy capability.”