The Faculty of Advocates in Scotland has welcomed its first new stable – broadly comparable to a set of barristers' chambers in England & Wales – in nearly two decades with the launch of 1Six Chambers, a set of leading counsel specialising in public law, commercial litigation, criminal and regulatory law and professional liability and insurance disputes.
With ten silks and 21 junior advocates, of whom nine are women, the set brings together an experienced group of senior and junior counsel. Among them is Aidan O’Neill KC, who is also a member of Matrix Chambers and one of the few silks to be King’s Counsel in both Scotland and England & Wales, having been appointed in 1999 and 2017 respectively.
O’Neill’s reputation as a public and constitutional lawyer precedes him; he is a specialist in EU law, human rights law and UK constitutional law, with a track record of appearing in multiple cases before the UK Supreme Court since its establishment in October 2009.
Alongside O’Neill are four other prominent members of the Faculty of Advocates, including Ruth Crawford KC, treasurer of the Faculty of Advocates, and Tony Graham KC, who chairs the Faculty’s services company and has appeared in more than 600 High Court trials and is an ad hoc Advocate Depute. They are joined by Neil Mackenzie KC, the Keeper of the Library, and Richard Pugh KC, a former Clerk to the Faculty and a past president of the Scottish Young Lawyers Association.
Another silk, Jonathan Brodie KC, has been Procurator to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland since 2023, a role held by former Supreme Court Justice, Lord Hodge.
The members of the new stable are drawn from across the Scottish Bar, with Crawford and four others leaving Axiom Advocates, six each leaving Arnot Manderson Chambers and Themis Advocates, five leaving Terra Firma Chambers, two each leaving Ampersand Advocates, Compass Chambers and Black Chambers and Graham leaving his former set, Optimum Advocates, among others.
1Six Chambers has expertise across all major practice areas, including serious crime and significant civil, commercial and public law cases, with a strong focus on regulatory and administrative law. Members have appeared in courts at all levels, including a significant number of appearances before the UK Supreme Court. Several members are associated with English sets, such as barristers' chambers including Matrix, Thomas More Chambers, Cornerstone Chambers and Great James Street Chambers.
Led by practice manager Colleen Adams, 1Six Chambers will offer a modern approach to clerking and client service. Adams previously served for over a decade as a deputy advocates' clerk at Axiom Advocates.
“The creation of 1Six Chambers marks a significant moment for the Scottish legal market,” said Adams. “We are dedicated to delivering excellent client service with a fresh, progressive outlook. Our members bring tremendous expertise and energy to the stable, and I am delighted to be leading such a talented group of advocates. I look forward to working with solicitors and continuing to drive innovation in the legal market.”
Crawford said, "We are excited about the launch of 1Six Chambers. This new stable brings together talented advocates, committed to the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity. As one of four Faculty Office Bearers joining 1Six Chambers, I am proud to be part of this venture, which promises a dynamic, forward-looking approach.”
Richard Pugh KC, who has left Compass Chambers to join the new stable, said that the venture followed the growth in the size of existing stables across the Faculty in recent years. He added that 1Six satisfies a desire to create a new platform for Scottish public and commercial lawyers at the Bar.
While multi-disciplinary, 1Six had come together organically, Pugh said, as members realised their interests coincided. It is intended to enable a bespoke approach to specialist disciplines such as public and administrative law, professional regulation, commercial litigation, and criminal work particularly where there is a focus on human rights.
Pugh, who was Clerk of the Faculty of Advocates and a former solicitor, said: “It’s a positive move for the Scottish Bar and will allow like-minded advocates to work together at both senior and junior levels, under our new practice manager, Colleen Adams. I’m looking forward to working with Ruth, Colleen and others in taking the stable forward.”
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