Terra Firma trio take silk

Fourteen new appointments have been made by Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. This brings the number of silks at Terra Firma to seventeen.

James Findlay called to the Scottish Bar in 2008, having been a practising Barrister in England & Wales since 1984, taking silk in 2008. He is recommended in the current editions of the Legal 500 and Chambers UK for his work at both the Scottish and English bars in respect of Planning, Environmental, Licensing, Administrative & Public law.

He was appointed Standing Junior to the Scottish government in 2013 and is Chair of the Scottish Planning, Local Government and Environmental Bar Group (SPLGEBG). Along with fellow TFC member Roy Martin QC, James joins a group of only 5 practising members at the Scottish Bar with the distinction of being QC in both Scotland and England & Wales.

Stephen O’Rourke called to the Bar in 2002. He specialises in complex and high value commercial and administrative law cases and is experienced in planning, property, agricultural law and land valuation appeals.

He has experience at every level up to and including the UK Supreme Court and has represented parties in arbitrations and mediations. He is a Standing Junior Counsel to the Advocate General for Scotland and was an Advocate Depute for Crown Office from 2010-2013.

David Parratt called to the Bar in 1999 where he has developed a wide ranging practice covering many different aspects of civil law including land law construction, trust work, general commercial work and contract.

He has a keen interest in international commercial arbitration and has practical experience of various forms of alternative dispute resolution including arbitration, adjudication and mediation. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), holds Chartered Status and is a Board Member of the Faculty’s Dispute Resolution Service.

He called to the English Bar (Lincoln’s Inn) in 2009 and the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2016. Since 2012, he has held the position of Director of Training and Education at the Faculty of Advocates.

Emma Potter, practice manager of Terra Firma Chambers said: “These appointments are richly merited and further enhance the strength and depth of Senior Counsel on offer at Terra Firma Chambers.

“To have two of only five dual-qualified silks at TFC emphasises the stable’s credentials as the premier stable at the Scottish Bar for advice or representation for clients with UK wide interests.

“James, Stephen and David richly deserve this recognition and we at Terra Firma wish them, and the other newly appointed silks, every success in their roles as Queen’s Counsel.”