SYLA Lunch & Learn: Criminal Litigation Series

SYLA Lunch & Learn: Criminal Litigation Series

Date: 2 July 2025 - 10 September 2025

Time: 13:00 - 14:00

Location: Zoom

The Scottish Young Lawyers’ Association (SYLA) is proud to present our Criminal Litigation Series 2025: a comprehensive lunchtime webinar programme designed to equip junior practitioners, trainees, and law students with practical, experience-based knowledge across key stages of the criminal justice process in Scotland.

Spanning from July to September 2025, the series features weekly sessions led by advocates from Optimum Advocates, AM Advocates and Black Chambers, partner from Keegan Smith and representatives from SLAB. Topics range from trial preparation and advocacy to sentencing, solemn procedure, appeals, trauma-informed lawyering, and legal aid funding.

Each webinar is free to attend, runs for one hour via Zoom, and includes a live Q&A with the speaker. Whether you’re just beginning your criminal law journey or looking to strengthen your courtroom strategy, this series is designed to help you develop core skills, gain real-world insight, and engage with leading figures in Scottish criminal defence.

Sign up now via Eventbrite to secure your place!

1. Trial Preparation & the Intermediate Diet

🗓 Date: 2 July 2025

🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

🎙 Speaker: Mairi-Clare McMillan, Advocate at Optimum Advocates

OBJECTIVES

Understand the Crown’s approach to trial preparation, the strategic use of the intermediate diet, and how to engage constructively with witnesses and opposing counsel pre-trial.

SPEAKER

Mairi-Clare McMillan, Advocate at Optimum Advocates

Mairi-Clare McMillan is an Advocate at the Optimum Advocates. Before calling to the bar, she was a Procurator Fiscal Depute and has extensive experience in prosecution and defence in solemn and summary cases, involving multiple complainers and historic offending.

OVERVIEW

This session explores how to prepare for trial, particularly in summary procedure, focusing on the intermediate diet as a tool for narrowing issues. It offers insight from the Crown’s perspective on effective case management and what makes a trial-ready defence.

2. Expert Reports, Forensic Evidence & Witness Statements

🗓 Date: 9 July 2025

🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

🎙 Speaker: Lynsey Morgan, Advocate at Optimum Advocates

CPD: 1 hour

OBJECTIVES

Learn how to analyse and challenge expert reports, interpret forensic evidence, and prepare effective witness statements.

SPEAKER

Lynsey Morgan, Advocate at Optimum Advocates

Lynsey Morgan called to the bar in June 2022 as a Lord Hope scholar. Prior to calling, she was a litigation solicitor in private practice for six years, where she specialised in family and child law.

In her criminal practice, Lynsey is instructed as both junior counsel acting alone, and as junior counsel to leading and senior counsel in a variety of cases including allegations of murder and serious sexual offences. In addition to her trial experience, Lynsey conducts evidential hearings, argues section 275 applications, and takes evidence of vulnerable witnesses on commission.

Lynsey is also instructed in appellate proceedings, both in the Sheriff Appeal Court and in the High Court of Justiciary Appeal Court in sentence appeal matters and in substantive conviction and preliminary issue appeals.

OVERVIEW

In this session, Lynsey Morgan will provide practical guidance on the use of expert reports and forensic evidence in criminal trials. Learn how to assess police reports, identify inconsistencies in witness statements, and strategically challenge flawed expert testimony. This session is particularly valuable for early-career defence lawyers seeking to develop a critical eye for evidence handling.

3. Summary and Jury Trials – Advocacy Skills

🗓 Date: 16 July 2025

🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

🎙 Speaker: Gareth Reid, Advocate at Optimum Advocates

CPD: 1 hour

OBJECTIVES

Understanding the practical skills required for persuasive advocacy in front of a jury and learn how to structure and present evidential narratives effectively.

SPEAKER

Gareth Reid, Advocate at Optimum Advocates

Gareth has significant trial experience, having prosecuted both summary and sheriff and jury cases as a fiscal in Glasgow Sheriff Court. He is well versed in leading evidence from experts, child and vulnerable witnesses in sexual and sensitive cases. He was part of the Crown team assigned to work on the 2015 Glasgow Bin Lorry FAI. Latterly, Gareth was a senior procurator fiscal depute in Crown Office where he focused on civil matters, including the case in which the Lord Advocate’s immunity was reconsidered by the Inner House in 2019. He also has experience of working on two private prosecution applications which were brought before the High Court in 2016.

OVERVIEW

Gareth Reid will lead this practical session on jury trials, with a focus on courtroom advocacy, handling evidence, and strategic preparation. Learn how to structure persuasive submissions, cross-examine effectively, and anticipate the challenges of trial before a jury.

4. Sentencing & Mitigation

🗓 Date: 30 July 2025

🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

🎙 Speaker: Safeena Rashid, Advocate at Optimum Advocates

CPD: 1 hour

OBJECTIVES

Gain a practical understanding of sentencing principles and how to present compelling mitigation in a range of cases.

SPEAKER:

Safeena Rashid, Advocate at Optimum Advocates

Safeena is an experienced junior with appearances ranging from the Justice of the Peace Court to the Appeal Court. As well as criminal law expertise, she has appeared in tribunals representing the Home Office, asylum seekers, immigrants, parties in employment disputes and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Safeena Rashid trained with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. She was a Procurator Fiscal Depute before devilling in 2012. Proficient in oral and written advocacy, Safeena’s career includes periods of advising the Justice of the Peace Court, giving advice to refugees in Greece, mentoring defence lawyers in Palestine and drafting legislation/policies for the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Safeena is also a keen advocate for equality, diversity, inclusion and widening access to justice. This is reflected in her legal career. With diverse experiences, she knows how to make clients feel at ease, focus on the relevant issues and provide exceptional representation.

OVERVIEW:

Safeena Rashid will walk participants through key sentencing principles and mitigation techniques. Understand how to present compelling personal circumstances, use character references effectively, and tailor your advocacy to different client profiles, from first-time offenders to repeat clients.

A valuable session for anyone handling sentencing hearings in either summary or solemn courts.

5. Plea Negotiation & Strategic Resolution

🗓 Date: 13 August 2025

🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

🎙 Speaker: Brian McConnachie KC, Advocate at Black Chambers

CPD: 1 hour

OBJECTIVES

Explore plea negotiation from both prosecution and defence perspectives, and understand how strategic resolution is reached in serious cases.

PARTICIPANTS

This webinar is aimed at criminal defence practitioners, trainee solicitors, devils, and early-career advocates interested in sharpening their advocacy and case strategy skills.

SPEAKER

Brian McConnachie KC, Advocate at Black Chambers

Brian is one of Scotland’s most senior and experienced criminal advocates. A former Principal Advocate Depute, he has prosecuted and defended many of the country’s most high-profile cases and is widely regarded as a leading authority on plea negotiation and strategic resolution in criminal litigation.

OVERVIEW

Join one of Scotland’s most experienced trial counsel, Brian McConnachie KC, as he discusses plea negotiation from both Crown and defence perspectives. The session will explore what influences Crown Office decisions, how timing and preparation impact negotiations, and strategies for resolving serious cases, including multi-accused or sensitive matters.

A rare opportunity to hear strategic reflections from a former Principal Advocate Depute and leading defence KC.

6. Defending Sexual Offence Cases - Section 274/275 and Beyond

🗓 Date: 20 August 2025

🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

🎙 Speaker: Sarah Loosemore, Advocate at AM Advocates

CPD: 1 hour

OBJECTIVES
This session provides a practical framework for preparing and defending sexual offence cases, with a focus on procedural rules under sections 274 and 275 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. Attendees will gain guidance on drafting applications, trial strategy, and managing sensitive client and witness dynamics. The session will also touch on Lord Advocate’s References and broader preparation tactics for both Sheriff & Jury and High Court sexual offence trials.

PARTICIPANTS
Ideal for criminal defence solicitors, trainees, devils, and junior advocates who are preparing for or currently handling serious sexual offence cases.

SPEAKER
Sarah Loosemore, Advocate at AM Advocates

Sarah called to the Scottish bar in 2022, having called to the bar in Ontario, Canada in 2003. Her principal areas of experience and interest are criminal law, public law, and personal injury, particularly clinical negligence and historic child abuse. Since calling to the Scottish bar, Sarah has appeared regularly in the High Court and the Court of Session, as well as the Sheriff Court and Sheriff Appeal Court on a wide variety of civil and criminal matters.

On the criminal side, Sarah has developed a particularly strong practice in criminal appeals and extradition matters. She has been involved in many of the most significant criminal appeals in Scotland in recent years. She was instructed as junior counsel to the Respondent in Lord Advocate’s Reference No. 1 of 2023 and Lord Advocate’s Reference No. 3 of 2023. She was also instructed as junior counsel in the Supreme Court appeal in ADK v HMA regarding the application of rape shield protections in criminal trials. She has numerous reported decisions in the High Court of Appeal in extradition matters, as well as having been instructed in many first instance extradition hearings. She has been frequently instructed in criminal trials and sentence and conviction appeals. She has also appeared as an ad hoc AD in trials and appeals against sentence.

OVERVIEW

Join Advocate Sarah Loosemore for a practical breakdown of the most sensitive and complex areas of criminal procedure. She will guide attendees through strategic preparation, s274/275 motion practice, and how to frame and approach sensitive evidence within the bounds of current legislation and evolving case law.

7. Trauma-Informed Criminal Defence

🗓 Date: 27 August 2025

🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

🎙 Speaker: Iain Smith, Partner at Keegan Smith

CPD: 1 hour

OBJECTIVES

Understand trauma’s impact on clients and how to develop a trauma-informed defence practice that prioritises client welfare and justice outcomes.

SPEAKER

Iain Smith is a Criminal Defence Lawyer based in Livingston, Scotland. He has been in practise for 32 years. For the first 25 years he was blissfully ignorant about the biological impact of trauma on the developing brain. In March 2018 he was educated on this little understood topic and it turned his legal career upside down. Without planning he decided to try and turn the justice system inside out. Overnight he realised that the ghosts who float around the justice system were self soothing pain with drugs & alcohol and that for most they were more sad than bad. He will share some of his curious journey with you on becoming trauma informed.

In 2020 Iain won the Scottish Lawyer of the Year award. His firm was awarded Scottish Criminal Law firm of the Year on 2021 & 2022. In 2024 the Law Society of Scotland bestowed the title, Legal Pioneer on him to celebrate the Society’s 75th anniversary.

His aim is to make this ACEs knowledge mundane and to prevent (or reduce) trauma & harms for all children.

OVERVIEW

This powerful session will introduce the principles of trauma-informed criminal defence, supported by case studies, materials, and a short video. Iain will explore how understanding trauma can reshape legal practice and how practitioners can meaningfully engage with vulnerable clients.

8. Appeals Against Conviction & Sentence

🗓 Date: 2 September 2025

🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

🎙 Speaker: Wendy Culross, Advocate at Optimum Advocates

CPD: 1 hour

OBJECTIVES

Learn how to identify viable appeal grounds, draft persuasive submissions, and understand how the appellate courts analyse conviction and sentence challenges.

SPEAKER:

Prior to calling to the Bar, Wendy worked as a Senior Procurator Fiscal Depute with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. She dealt with a wide range of criminal cases – including the presentation of many solemn and summary cases as well as the procedural and policy aspects of the criminal justice system.

Wendy has a particular interest in forensic and physical evidence, partly following a large amount of time spent working on the recommendations from the Fingerprint Enquiry. She also has an interest in Health and Safety cases following time on secondment to the ICL Plastics (Stockline) investigation. Wendy has worked in Glasgow, Airdrie and Edinburgh gaining experience in a wide range of criminal offences.

OVERVIEW

This session provides junior practitioners with the practical steps needed to prepare appeals, including timeframes, documentation, and strategy. Wendy will share lessons from real appeals and offer advice on effective written and oral advocacy in the High Court of Justiciary.

9. Legal Aid Applications & Accounts

🗓 Date: 3 September 2025

🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

🎙 Speaker: Kingsley Thomas & Lynne Dunlop from the Scottish Legal Aid Board

CPD: 1 hour

OBJECTIVES

Learn about the process of legal aid applications and accounts, with a focus on avoiding common errors and understanding SLAB’s expectations.

SPEAKER

Kingsley Thomas is Head of Criminal Legal Assistance at the Scottish Legal Aid Board. He manages the SLAB Department which processes and takes decisions on all types of criminal legal aid applications (Solemn, Summary, Appeals, Criminal A&A/ABWOR) from across Scotland. He is also responsible for the Court and Police Station duty plans, the Glasgow Court Officer service, and the Criminal Quality Assurance peer review scheme. He represents SLAB on several Justice system initiatives like the Virtual Custody Courts Working Group, and is currently engaged with the roll out of the new Summary Case Management process across the country.

Lynne Dunlop is Accounts System Support Specialist at the Scottish Legal Aid Board. She provides advice, support and training to colleagues, other departments within SLAB, and to external customers. She has extensive knowledge and experience of criminal legal aid accounts issues. She has worked for SLAB since 1997, initially in Civil Accounts for 2 years, and then with Criminal Solemn Accounts for 22 years before taking the role as Account System Support Specialist.

OVERVIEW

This session offers practical guidance for completing and managing legal aid applications and accounts in criminal cases, with real-world advice from SLAB itself.

This practical session from SLAB will cover things you need to know about preparing strong Legal Aid applications and managing accounts correctly. Learn how to avoid common mistakes, ensure compliance, and support sustainable practice within the legal aid framework.

Highly recommended for all criminal practitioners working under SLAB funding.

10. Solemn Procedure – Preliminary Hearings & Jury Advocacy

🗓 Date: 10 September 2025

🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (via Zoom)

🎙 Speaker: Kevin Henry, Advocate at Optimum Advocates

CPD: 1 hour

OBJECTIVES

Learn how to navigate solemn proceedings, manage preliminary hearings efficiently, and prepare your case for jury trial with a strategic, client-focused mindset.

SPEAKER

Kevin Henry, Advocate at Optimum Advocates

Kevin called to the bar in 2018 after practicing as a solicitor for 7 years. Kevin prosecuted numerous criminal cases while working as a Procurator Fiscal Depute in Airdrie and Glasgow. He then moved to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission as a Legal Officer. During his time at the SCCRC, Kevin gained significant experience in relation to criminal appeals.

OVERVIEW

This session will guide you through the solemn procedure, from indictment through to trial, with emphasis on procedural requirements and strategic jury advocacy. Kevin Henry will offer insight into preparing for preliminary hearings and managing evidential challenges in serious cases.