Gavin Dewar
Year of Call: 2013
Gavin held a full-time commission as an Advocate Depute from May 2022 to November 2025. As well as his main role as Crown counsel within Crown Office, he was a member of the unit responsible for the investigation, and prosecution where appropriate, of COVID 19 deaths in Scottish care establishments.
Gavin is an ad hoc AD. His reputation as a tenacious but fair-minded prosecutor precedes him. He is also well regarded by defence agents and has become well-instructed, on behalf of accused persons, since leaving Crown Office. He regularly deals with the most sensitive of cases in the High Court of Justiciary.
Gavin also has extensive experience pleading before the Supreme Courts of Scotland, Sheriff Courts and other specialist tribunals throughout the country. He has a particular interest in public law matters, especially those relating to prisoners’ rights.
Gavin sits as a Legally Qualified Chair of the Scottish Social Services Council, having been appointed in 2023. In 2026, he was appointed a Legal Assessor with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
Gavin is co-author and editor of “Contempt of Court in Scotland”, a textbook due for publication in 2027.
Areas of Practice
Appointments & Memberships
- Full-time Advocate Depute: 2022 – 2025
- Scottish Social Services Council (Legally Qualified Chair): 2023 – present
- ad hoc Advocate Depute: 2025 – present
- General Teaching Council (Legal Assessor) 2026 – present
Testimonials
Selected Cases
HMA v Grabowski (2026): Unanimous not guilty verdict returned in respect of an ambulance technician alleged by the Crown to have contravened Secs: 2 and 3 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.
HMA v Claire Kilduff (2026), Led the Crown team, across 2 and a half years, in the prosecution of the Accused who pled guilty to murder on the first day of her trial. Life imprisonment, with a punishment part of 21 years, was imposed.
HMA v Sutherland (2025), Successful defence of client in Inverness High Court. Client acquitted of attempted murder, by stabbing with a knife, after trial.
HMA v Ramos (2025), Auxiliary nurse acquitted of a contravention of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009; Sec: 3 after trial. Allegation of sexual assault said to have been committed on an in-patient in the high dependency unit of a major hospital.
HMA v Wilkins (2025), Successful prosecution of rape contrary to Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009; Sec: 1 in Kilmarnock High Court.
HMA v Pollard (2024), Prosecuted the Accused in the High Court. The Accused was convicted of multiple offences, including rape, after trial. A generational interval, in the context of mutual corroboration, was a significant focus in the case.
HMA v Penders (2023), Prosecuted the Accused in the High Court opposite Senior Counsel. The Accused was convicted of, inter alia, raping two 13-year-old complainers.
HMA v Weir or Krogan (2023), Prosecuted the Accused in the High Court opposite Senior Counsel. The Accused was convicted of various rapes (one to danger of life) after trial.
H v W [2021] CSOH 97, Junior alone for W, in the Court of Session, in Scotland’s first reported non-refoulement case following G v G, [2021] UKSC 9. International Human Rights Law in issue. Orders sought by H refused after proof.
Melville’s Trustee v Melville [2020] CSOH 10, Junior alone for the Defenders, in the Court of Session, opposite Senior and Junior Counsel. Document of loan relied upon by the Pursuers found by the Lord Ordinary to have been forged after proof. The Defenders were assoilzied.
Aberdeen City Council v KD & AA (2017), Successful Inner House appeal, brought by a serving prisoner, AA against a decision of the Sheriff Appeal Court. Junior alone for the Appellant. Article 8 (right to private and family life) in issue.