Scot graduated from The University of Edinburgh in 2009 with a First Class Honours Degree (LL.B) in Scots Law and Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in 2011. Whilst in practice as a solicitor specialising in criminal law, Scot balanced his professional commitments with further study. In 2013, Scot was awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Forensic Medicine from The University of Edinburgh. In 2017, Scot was awarded a master’s degree in human rights law with Distinction (LL.M.) by the University of Strathclyde, where he was the Lord Hope Scholar. During his devilling in 2025, Scot obtained a second master’s degree (MPhil) from the University of Strathclyde.
Scot practised as a solicitor for 12 years before calling to the Bar, laterally working as principal procurator fiscal depute at Paisley. Scot has considerable experience in conducting complex criminal trials at both summary and solemn levels. He has appeared regularly in Sheriff Courts across Scotland and has worked extensively with vulnerable and child witnesses. He has experience in dealing with cases involving offences under the Terrorism Act, Serious and Organised Crime, and cases of a high-profile, diplomatically sensitive nature.
Scot has completed secondments to HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland and EuroJust in The Hague. At EuroJust he was assigned to the UK Desk and was involved in cases involving international and transnational crime. Scot has a particular interest in international criminal and humanitarian law.
Scot has also worked as a criminal defence solicitor at a leading law firm. During this time, he regularly represented clients in the Sheriff and Justice of the Peace courts.
While devilling, he built upon his experience in criminal law, including High Court first instance work, as well as appellate work. He also gained experience in the areas of personal injury, commercial litigation and F.A.I.
‘Prosecuting in the Social Media Society’, Scottish Justice Matters, Vol.4 (3), 2016
‘Apology as a Function of Criminal Justice’, Strathclyde Law Review, Vol. 3 (1), 2017
‘I Victim, The Creation of the Victim in Scots Law’, MPhil Thesis, Anderson Library, University of Strathclyde, 2025