Marie H. Clark called to the bar in 1996 and enjoys an enviable civil litigation practice with a firm emphasis on family and child law. She has extensive experience of all aspects of litigation concerning divorce, financial provision, cohabitation, civil partnerships and every facet of child law.

Her cases have encompassed complex jurisdictional issues with strong international and human rights components, high value financial provision divorces and cohabitation cases, Hague petitions, petitions for adoption, permanence orders and social work referrals.

She has been ranked by Chambers and Partners in relation to all aspects of family law work and she is the head of Arnot Manderson’s Family Law Group and vice chair of AFLA.

Laura Thomson called to the bar in 2014 and has been counsel to the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry since 2020. Away from the inquiry she has a busy and varied civil practice, with particular emphasis on personal injury and professional negligence claims.

She is regularly instructed in fatal and catastrophic cases and has served as standing junior counsel to the Scottish government. From 2009-2012, and prior to calling to the bar, she held the office of advocate depute.

In this role, she prosecuted many high-profile, difficult and anxious cases before the High Court of Justiciary. These included murder, culpable homicide, armed robbery, causing death by dangerous driving, rape, and the sexual abuse of children. She is also ranked by Chambers and Partners.

Practice manager Andrew Sutherland commented: “We are delighted to see Marie and Laura recognised in this way. This is a well-deserved accolade for both counsel and everyone at the stable is extremely proud. Both Marie and Laura exemplify the commitment of the Stable to excellence in their areas of specialism.

“I know both counsel will continue to offer the highest standard of advice and representation to solicitors and clients across Scotland, particularly but not exclusively in the fields of Family Law and in cases at the interface between criminal and civil law.”