Laura is a Solicitor within Livingstone Brown’s bespoke Specialist Litigation team and is based in the flagship Glasgow City office. Laura was recently recognised as a finalist in the Herald Law Awards of Scotland 2025 ‘Up and Coming Award’ and played a key role in the firm being announced as ‘Criminal Law Firm of the Year’ for the second year running. Laura combines her technical ability with empathy to provide an exceptional service for her clients.

Laura advises on a variety of criminal and civil legal issues. She possesses particular experience and expertise with:

Criminal appeals

• Including to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission and to the UK Supreme Court

Criminal investigations

• Engagement with the police and Crown regarding the reinvestigation of sensitive cases

Proceeds of crime

• In respect of both the Crown and Civil Recovery Unit under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Fraud and financial crime

• Defence in the conduct of high-value and complex criminal fraud and money laundering allegations

Prosecution and defence work

• The discontinuation of criminal proceedings and negotiating with the Crown

Police interviews

• Advising on pre-litigation concerns regarding coercive control and domestic abuse
• Advising on prison progression, parole, and connected disputes

Police complaints

• Including further escalation to the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner

Defamation

• Including defamation connected to allegations of sexual offences

Misconduct and regulatory proceedings

• Including university investigations into allegations of a sexual nature

Laura is recognised for her excellence and specialism in ‘cases involving quashed convictions, high-value High Court fraud, criminal appeals, … applications to the Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights’ and assisting families of deceased individuals in connection with police investigations. She is regularly sought out by clients for her representation in criminal appeal work.

Laura has been with the firm since October 2021 and is a graduate of the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde, where she gained her Scots Law (Hons) LLB and Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. Laura has a keen focus on prisoner’s rights and has undertaken further study with the University of Leeds, surrounding the issue of whether imprisonment is a suitable punishment for criminal behaviour.

Laura appears in the Sheriff Court and regularly instructs counsel in Scotland’s Supreme Courts. Laura is also a notary public.

Laura’s professional achievements include:

• Assisting with securing a re-investigation in respect of the death of a victim of domestic abuse: Demi Hannaway: Reinvestigation ordered into the death of domestic abuse victim | ITV News
• Being recognised as a finalist in the Herald Law Awards of Scotland 2025 ‘Up and Coming Award category: Law Awards of Scotland finalists revealed ahead of ceremony - Newsquest Scotland Events
• Being a key contributor to the firm’s team recognised as the Herald Law Award’s Criminal Firm of the Year 2025: The Herald Law Awards of Scotland - Newsquest Scotland Events
• Being recognised as part of the Herald Law Award’s Criminal Firm of the Year 2024: The Herald Law Awards of Scotland 2024 winners announced | The Herald

Outside of legal practice, Laura is a trustee of Scottish Fair Trade and enjoys travelling.

Recent blog posts

The UK Supreme Court decision in Keir & Daly: a synopsis