Susan’s career spans private and public practice; undertaking a broad range of Civil and Criminal litigation, regularly appearing in civil courts, criminal courts and tribunals at all levels. Susan is experienced in cases involving murder, sexual offences, and misuse of drugs, in addition to all aspects of Family, Employment Regulatory and Public law.

Susan’s specialism lies in Child Law, litigating contentious and complex cases and leading evidence from child and vulnerable witnesses.  She also provides regulatory and legal advice to Local government on matters such as Licensing, Employment, Education and Adoption & fostering. She regularly is instructed by Local Authorities.

Susan sits as a Justice of the Peace in Edinburgh, and was a member of The Scottish Sentencing Council [2019-2024], sitting on the domestic abuse, research and environmental crime sub- committees. She has extensive experience as a Curator ad Litem and Reporting Officer. Susan also sits as Legal Convenor on the Mental Health Tribunal and First tier Tribunal (Social Security Chamber), and is Legal Chair for the Scottish Social Services Council.

Profile
Since calling at the Bar Susan has developed a broad civil and criminal practice. She accepts instructions in all public law matters, regulatory, family and employment matters with a particular emphasis on discrimination cases. She acts regularly as a Crown Junior and has experience of acting at all levels of criminal proceedings.

She currently sits as a judicial member on the Scottish Sentencing Council, sitting on the domestic abuse, research and environmental crime sub- committees. Susan has a personal interest in child law and has extensive experience of acting in child referral proceedings, child protection and permanence proceedings. She currently sits as a panel member on Redress Scotland. Susan has an interest in legal education and has developed and provided training to range of organisations. She taught at Strathclyde University Law Clinic for 2 years.

Appointments
Justice of The Peace – Edinburgh & Lothians (2013-present)
Safeguarder (Children ) 2013- 2023
Curator Ad Litem and Reporting Officer – Edinburgh & Lothians (2016-present)
Judicial Member of The Scottish Sentencing Council (2019-2024)
Standing “junior junior” counsel to the Office of the Advocate General for Scotland (2021–2023)

Redress Scotland Panel Member (2021-present)

Chair First Tier Tribunal Social Security Chamber (2023 – present)

Legal Convenor Scottish Mental Health Tribunal (2023-present)

Chair Scottish Social Services Council –(2023 – present)