03/04/2020 Lawyer of the week: David McKie, solicitor who defended Alex Salmond in sex claims case | Law | The Times

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Lawyer of the week: David McKie, solicitor who defended Alex Salmond in sex claims case

SCOTTISH LAWYER OF THE WEEK

Linda Tsang

Thursday January 31 2019, 12.01am, The Times

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David McKie, senior partner at Levy & McRae, acted for AlexSalmond in the Court of Session. The judge ruled that theScottish government had acted unlawfully — “in respect thatthey were procedurally unfair” — in an investigation into sexualharassment claims against the former first minister. MrSalmond has always denied the allegations.

What were the main challenges in this case? Taking on the state is never easy. Here we had the challenge ofpublicity throughout and the politics involved. In the case itself,we — with Ronnie Clancy, QC — felt it was very strong on anumber of legal fronts, but the hardest thing for us was

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03/04/2020 Lawyer of the week: David McKie, solicitor who defended Alex Salmond in sex claims case | Law | The Times

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recovering information from the government, which ultimatelydetermined the case.

What’s the best decision you’ve taken as a lawyer?Not going to the Bar. I almost did in 2004, but I realised that Ipreferred to have laypeople as clients and not lawyers.

Who has inspired you in your career? Len Murray and Bill Macreath, both former senior partners ofthis firm. Len had a glittering career, has a superb legal mindand always made time for me. Bill is the epitome of what alawyer should look and sound like. They showed: always maketime to talk and listen, and remain calm in a storm.

What’s the oddest/funniest thing that has happened to you? A client who had just been banned from driving jumped intothe cab of a lorry parked illegally outside the court to move it,until I pulled him out.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?Let the clients fall out; lawyers should not fall out with eachother — an advocate once told me that when the other side wasbeing impossible. It stuck with me because it was so simple andabsolutely fitted with my instincts.

Which three qualities should a lawyer have? Discretion, passion and integrity. The client should know theycan trust you and feel that you are in their corner. Results youcannot control, but service you can.

What law would you enact? A restriction on the amount of legislation passed — andreverting to the common law in many aspects of law.

How would you like to be remembered? Professionally, as someone who cared and fought for his clients;personally, as a good husband and father.

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03/04/2020 Lawyer of the week: David McKie, solicitor who defended Alex Salmond in sex claims case | Law | The Times

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03/04/2020 Lawyer of the week: David McKie, solicitor who defended Alex Salmond in sex claims case | Law | The Times

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lawyer-of-the-week-david-mckie-solicitor-who-defended-alex-salmond-in-sex-claims-case-t272kx96f 4/4

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