David Taylor

Year of Call: 2020

David graduated from Glasgow University in 1987 with an LL.B (Upper Second Honours) in Forensic Medicine and completed his post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 1988. He was a partner in the solicitor’s firm he trained with by 1994, leaving there in 1997 to set up his own practice, which became heavily involved in Human Rights, being the agents for the Pursuer in the groundbreaking case of Napier v The Scottish Ministers (the “slopping out” case).

In 2004, David gained rights of audience in the High Court (a Solicitor Advocate) and was thereafter involved in regular High Court work, in particular extensive work in the Appeal Court, leading to a number of reported judgments.

In 2012, David was appointed as an Advocate Depute and thereafter prosecuted exclusively in the High Court, including 12 murder cases. He also represented the Crown in a number of cases in the Appeal Court.

Since calling to the Bar, David has been busy in defence work again, appearing in all criminal courts from Sheriff Summary cases up to the Appeal Court, from Ayr to Aberdeen and all points in between. David has continued to appear for the Crown as an Ad Hoc Advocate Depute.

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Areas of Practice

Criminal Trials covering the full spectrum of criminal offences tried in both the Sheriff Court and the High Court of Justiciary
Post conviction proceedings including Proceeds of Crime and Criminal Appeals
Extradition
FAI’s and Public Inquiries
Health and Safety
Human Rights
Road Traffic Violations

Testimonials

“We would thoroughly recommend David Taylor and have instructed him in various matters, including High Court and serious criminal matters, fairly regularly over the last year or two.”

“I have always found David to be extremely capable, approachable, polished and professional, with an eye for not only the detail of a case but in managing the whole matter expertly, to fit with client’s expectations, often in very demanding circumstances such as can prevail in cases of this nature.”

“He is a fabulous performer, with a healthy extra curricular CV and is an interesting gentleman, mannerly and thoroughly prepared, in each and every case we have instructed. A pleasure to work with at all times.”

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Selected Cases

Blockley v PF Cupar [2013] HCJAC 2, 2013 SCCR 181: A successful appeal against conviction in an interesting case in which the Appellant had been legally advised to plead guilty. The Appeal Court were persuaded to review CCTV evidence and hear parole evidence in court, before overturning the conviction

BM v HMA [2017] HCJAC 55, 2017 SCL 882: A case in which David appeared for the Crown, successfully resisting an appeal against conviction in a multiple complainer Moorov case