David Adams

Year of Call 2018

David’s practice focuses on crime, fatal accident and public inquiries, firearms licensing, road traffic prosecutions and road transport licensing. He also has experience of commercial disputes, insolvency, medical and professional negligence.

David has appeared in Fatal Accident Inquiries, proofs and trials in the High Court and Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland. David also has experience in conviction and sentence appeals, both acting alone or with a leader.

David has appeared before local authority licensing boards and the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland in several public inquiries relating to HGV and PSV operator licences as well as driver conduct hearings.

David is a member of the Faculty of Advocates’ human rights sub-committee and is a reporter for Session Cases.

Representative Cases

Junior Counsel for core participants in The Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry (ongoing)

Junior Counsel representing Police Scotland in forthcoming inquiry into a missed 999 call M9 Inquiry, 2022

Counsel for the Prison Officers Association Scotland in the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Sarah Riley (ongoing)

Junior Counsel for the Chief Constable in the health and safety prosecution HMA v Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland (2021)

Junior Counsel for Kevin Miller in Kevin Miller & Lauren Miller v HMA [2021] HCJAC 30

Junior Counsel for Tayside Health Board in the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Simon James Stewart [2021] FAI 27

Counsel for Anne Darnley, mother of the late Sarah Helen Darnley, in the Sumburgh Fatal Accident Inquiry [2020] FAI 34

Counsel for Mrs Ruth Moss, mother of the late Sophie Anne Parkinson, in the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Sophie Anne Parkinson [2020] FAI 32

Junior Counsel for Dr Lucy Thomas, fiancée of the late Capt. David Traill, in the Clutha Fatal Accident Inquiry [2019] FAI 46

Counsel for Kenneth Thomson in Kenneth Thomson v HMA [2020] HCJAC 49

Junior Counsel for the Petitioner in a judicial review application by a police officer against the Scottish Police Authority, reported as BD, Petitioner [2019] CSOH 53

Contact Us

  • Compass Chambers
    Parliament House
    Edinburgh
    EH1 1RF