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Areas of expertise

Professional information

  • 2021: Appointed Standing Junior Counsel to UK Government
  • 2019: Called to the bar (Devilmasters: John MacGregor KC; Paul Reid KC; Claire Mitchell KC)
  • 2018: Awarded Lord Reid Scholarship
  • 2015-2018: Law Clerk to the Lord President (Lord Carloway), Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
  • 2012-2015: Solicitor, Simpson & Marwick (including traineeship)
  • 2011: Bachelor of Civil Law with Distinction, University of Oxford (New College)
  • 2010: LLB (Hons) (First Class), University of Edinburgh (Lord President Cooper Memorial Prize (Joint) – Honours student of outstanding distinction)
Professional experience

Megan has a broad civil and public law practice. She has appeared on behalf of clients in the Inner and Outer House of the Court of Session, Sheriff Appeal Court, the Sheriff Court and the Upper Tribunal.

Since October 2021, Megan has been Standing Junior Counsel to the UK Government. In that capacity, she has advised, and appeared on behalf of, central government in a number of matters including immigration; war pensions; director disqualification, and devolution issues arising under the Scotland Act 1998. She is regularly instructed in judicial review proceedings and proceedings before the Upper Tribunal.

Megan also has a clinical liability practice. She provides advice and representation to several health boards across NHS Scotland, and is regularly instructed in cases involving complex issues of liability and causation. Megan also has experience of public inquiries.

Prior to calling, Megan worked for three years as Law Clerk to the Lord President, Lord Carloway. Megan has a keen interest in legal education and has edited two student textbooks on the Scottish legal system. In addition to her academic interests, Megan is a law reporter for Session Cases.

Notable cases

Fanning v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions & Scottish Ministers

Megan was instructed as junior counsel for HMG in the challenge by Mr and Mrs Fanning to the decision of SSWP to remove universal winter fuel payments.

Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill (Prohibition on Submission for Royal Assent) Order 2023

2024 SC 173; instructed as junior counsel for HMG in the challenge to the section 35 Order issued by the Secretary of State for Scotland by the Scottish Ministers.

Dafaalla v City of Edinburgh Council

2022 SLT 807; Inner House, as junior to Morag Ross QC acted for successful petitioner, challenge to decision of local authority to refuse to accept further application under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.

Directories

Select publications
  • The Scottish Legal System, 6th edn, 2019 (Dewart)
  • Studying Scots Law, 4th edn, 2016 (MacQueen and Dewart)