Nicola Gilchrist

Ms Gilchrist called to the bar in 2011 and before taking her commission as an advocate depute with Crown Office in 2022 enjoyed an enviable civil litigation practice with an emphasis on family and child law.

In civil practice she was regularly involved in cases in the Court of Session and sheriff courts both in cases at first instance and in appeals to the Sheriff Appeal Court, the Inner House and Supreme Court. 

She has experience across the board in litigation concerning divorce, financial provision, cohabitation and civil partnerships. Her expertise in child law encompasses all of its many facets, including complex jurisdictional issues, international child abduction, permanence orders and petitions for adoption. 

She has a particular interest in cases that involve sensitive cross-cultural issues, domestic abuse and matters affecting women and girls. She successfully appeared in the first forced marriage case to be heard in Scotland. Nicola was appointed as a lead statement taker at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry in 2016. 

She has been ranked by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners in relation to all aspects of family law work.

Practice manager Andrew Sutherland said: “I have worked closely with Nicola for a number of years and can say that the leadership and support she provided to stable members and in particular to the Clerking team have been invaluable. Understandably we are delighted to see Nicola recognised in this way.

“This is a well-deserved accolade for our stable director and everyone at the stable is extremely proud. Nicola exemplifies the commitment of the stable to excellence in multiple areas of specialism. I know she will continue to offer the highest standard of advice and representation to solicitors and clients across Scotland, particularly but not exclusively in the fields of family law and in cases at the interface between criminal and civil law.”