Judith Hutchison’s Story

Judith, Senior Associate & Solicitor Advocate joined the Criminal Court Department at Scullion LAW, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Judith is a highly professional individual driven to deliver the highest standards of advocacy when representing clients in courts across Scotland. She is committed to her ongoing professional development and strives to increase her legal knowledge and skills through appearances in the criminal courts at all levels, including the High Court. Additionally, she has provided representation to clients in Simple Procedure actions; the Heritable Court, Family proceedings and Fatal Accident Inquiries. Judith passionately believes in applying the rule of law to provide clients with the best possible advice and representation in preparing their defence.

Before training as a solicitor, Judith spent 14 years in the construction industry as a surveyor/project manager: 9 of these in Scotland and 5 in Canada. Her experience in the construction industry and legal training and practice has meant that she has developed a vast knowledge and practical understanding of health and safety law and accidents/incidents that can lead to Fatal Accident Inquiries.

Judith spent her first 5 years working in construction before embarking upon a distinguished career at the Crown & Procurator Fiscal’s Office (“COPFS”). During that period she gained recognition as a robust litigator with exemplary advocacy skills. She was appointed a Senior Procurator Fiscal Depute gaining significant experience in both the summary and sheriff & jury unit and also spent time in the Edinburgh Unit dealing with Proceeds of Crime matters. Whilst within Glasgow she was a specialist prosecutor for wildlife and environmental crime; planning law contraventions and contraventions of Copyright Design & Patents Act offences. She received an award from the British Phonographic Industry for her dedication and professionalism in the preparation and prosecution of the first major bootleg distribution case in Scotland. Latterly, in recognition of her advocacy experience she was employed as a legal trainer at the Scottish Prosecution College providing advocacy training for Deputes in the Service having gained accreditation as a National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) trainer.

Judith thereafter decided to take on a new challenge and as well as working as an independent criminal defence solicitor spent a period of time working for Berrymans Lace Maher LLP as a specialist solicitor in their Regulatory Crime Team providing expert advice in Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAI’s), Health & Safety prosecutions, specialist Road Traffic prosecutions and other regulatory crime. As a highly respected Criminal Solicitor Advocate specialising in Solemn Trials and the defence of regulatory prosecutions, she has also been instructed as Junior Counsel in Scotland’s largest Serious & Organised Crime High Court Trial.

Judith has represented clients in some of the most complex and novel jury trials including mortgage fraud, embezzlement, and romance/catfish fraud.  She is committed to providing the very best for her clients.  This means taking the time to understand the client and the specific circumstances and applying her extensive legal knowledge and skills to the defence of their case.

In her spare time, Judith enjoys cycling, walking, and making craft chocolates and is a member of the Scottish Malt Whisky Society. She is also a member of the Scottish Rugby Supporters Club and frequently attends Scotland International games, home and away.

Judith’s technical skill and expertise in court can be matched by few and will complement the great work already being done by a team looking to take on more regulatory work. Judith’s appointment coincides with a successful year for the team, shortlisted for the Scottish Legal Award Criminal Law Firm of the Year, and ranked Band 1 for Crime in Chambers & Partners UK.

Our Director Kris Buchanan states: –  “In recent years, we have sought to establish ourselves as a leading law firm providing quality advice and representation. Bringing in someone of Judith’s calibre is a statement of intent as to the direction the firm is moving in, placing an emphasis on talent and experience. Bringing in another Solicitor Advocate to compliment our team is a testament to how far we have come, and serves as a marker in terms of displaying the high standard of representation we want to provide to our clients. I believe this is only the start of our journey, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do with such a talented team of lawyers/advocates.”

Urfan Dar, Solicitor Advocate advised: “I am delighted that after head-hunting Judith, she has accepted the opportunity to work with us. I have always admired her professionalism and skills as an advocate and know she will increase the depth of knowledge and calibre of professional representation we can offer to our client base. The firm has gained an exceptional advocate with specialist experience in regulatory work and health and safety prosecutions. As a respected peer of mine, she has always been available to canvas ideas and discuss legal precedent and tactics and I am sure her experience in advocacy training will benefit all of the lawyers at the firm in terms of the obligation to ensure continuing professional development requirements are adhered to.”