Client Quotations

Craig Connal has a velvet glove and iron fist where necessary. A rapier like mind, yet with a calming, patient and very supportive manner.He has a great wealth of experience and has been a well trusted solicitor advocate for the company for a number of years. He distils all his arguments in a neat and cogent manner and invariably secures us a successful outcome.

Andrew Mickel, Director, Mactaggart& Mickel Group Ltd

'the best QC that money can buy’ Opponent

Chambers and Partners Quotations/Ranking

highly regarded for his broad experience… an absolutely terrific trial lawyer and a strategic thinker who is excellent on his feet 2018

Hugely commercial and clearly outstanding in his field… Good on his feet 2017

A renowned solicitor advocate… A strong litigator 2016

Very good on his feet, he is very polished and understands his brief well 2015

The best dispute lawyer in Scotland – top of his profession… Clever, commercial and sensible Well regarded for the difficulty and range of the litigation he takes on 2014

Extremely highly regarded…A heavy-hitting senior counsel 2013

Highly regarded as one of the region’s leading litigators…Superb advocacy skills 2012

Recognized as one of the major litigators in Scotland Has a thoughtful, reflective style… a skilled advocate 2011

Good at winnowing out the commercial from the legal, and giving dispassionate advice at times when cool heads are required Renowned for his advocacy skills and impresses clients with his tenacious and thorough approach to complex matter Really incisive and provides clear advice 2010

Hugely revered… A key individual in the team and a major draw for the firm… Polished performer… 2009

A huge profile… Extremely knowledgeable advocate who is great at presenting arguments… 2008

One of the luminaries of the market...His pure knowledge of court process is unrivalled… a personality of considerable stature on the planning scene 2007

Ranking: Notable Practitioner within Scotland, Litigation, Real Estate Litigation Chambers and Partners UK, Several consecutive years

Experience

Recently acted for:

pharmaceutical company in a large number of substantial civil claims (including some involving fatalities), said to arise from the Edinburgh Legionnaires Disease outbreak

former Chief Executive of petroleum and gas extraction company in a $200m claim alleging failures on his behalf, while CEO, properly to advise the then shareholder and chairman, of the advantages and disadvantages, both broad and detailed, of a proposed disposal of a proportion of shares. A case involving complex overlap with claims against other parties, particularly the solicitors involved, fiduciary duty, the relevance of written documentation signed

pensions consulting firm in a major claim of failures in fund administration (including the unusual issues of the effect of a partially unsuccessful Special Case)

commercial property developer in a dispute with local authority's property company over failure to consent to the assignation of developer's interest, delaying a major inward investment

oil and gas company in a claim for alleged losses through the prevention of hotel development on a site near to a nationally significant pipeline

construction firm in a claim based on warranties granted in the purchase of an oil and gas services business

drinkscompany in claims from over 500 home owners across central Scotland. It is alleged that the ethanol which is released during the whisky maturation process is carried with the wind from company's maturation facilities onto the properties where it stimulates the growth of a black coloured fungus

professional governing body in a high profile dispute with fellow regulator, over the correct legal approach in case handling of a large number of complaints following earlier court rulings

Pension Fund in a series of difficult claims against solicitors arising from the inter relationship between pensions law, partnership law and long tail obligations to provide for ongoing pensions to previous employees

insurers in respect of a claim for substantial damages claimed to arise from an incident offshore when claimant became trapped between a container being moved by a crane and parts of the rig (involving complexities over valuation, contributory negligence, the relevance of risk assessments and the claimant's knowledge of them)

a leading US based manufacturer of medical devices in a significant number of claims being conducted in the Scottish Courts (in parallel to large numbers of other claims worldwide) linked to a high profile campaign by women claiming to have been damaged by such devices (involving not only complex questions of causation but of procedure and of the relationship between legal remedies and the political system)

ombudsman in a rare litigation in the Scottish Court by a claimant dissatisfied with a decision taken many years ago

gambling company in claim arising out of alleged breach of duties to a gambler claimed to have used company money for gambling. The case raises complex issues about the relationship between regulatory systems in a number of jurisdictions, common law claims, and obligations on the company from whom the money was taken

a Local Authority in first Public Inquiry under flood prevention legislation including lengthy Hearing over several weeks and all advocacy throughout

leading electricity company in ground-breaking Hearing before the Scottish Land Court over a series of complex legal arguments concerning a major wind farm and its relation to crofting legislation, including all advocacy throughout

a leading outsourcing company in advising on a range of high profile claims including test case proceedings and Judicial Review proceedings over the housing of former asylum seekers and the interrelationship between their housing entitlements, immigration legislation and human rights, including all advocacy throughout.

Membership & Awards

• Law Society of Scotland
• Law Society of England and Wales
• Vice Chairman (Scotland) BICBA
• Committee Member, Society of Solicitor Advocates
• Convenor, Law Society of Scotland, Higher Rights Course
• Scotland Arbitration Centre (Law Society Scotland Arbitration Specialist)
• SAHCA; IBA; SSC
• Solicitor Advocate of the Year 2012 (England and Wales)
• First Solicitor Advocate QC in Scotland