One of the most highly-rated experts in public and parliamentary law has joined independent law firm Burness Paull.

Fiona Killen, who was previously with Anderson Strathern, is ranked Band 1 in the Chambers legal directory in Administrative and Public Law and Parliamentary and Public Affairs and features in Legal 500 ‘Hall of Fame’.

She brings experience of working directly within Parliament, public sector, higher education and professional bodies and advising a wide range of clients in central government, non-departmental public bodies, Parliament, education, local government and regulatory bodies on contentious and non-contentious public law and regulatory matters over almost two decades.

The firm’s latest addition to its new Public Law and Regulatory division will provide clients with access to even more specialist advice and support in all areas of public law and regulation - particularly important given the current challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. It will also provide clients with insights into future political and constitutional developments and the opportunities and challenges they can present.

The move sees two leading practitioners of public law reunited more than 20 years after they first worked together at the Scottish Law Commission.

Hazel Moffat, who regularly represents national governments and regulatory bodies as well as many major Scottish, UK and international businesses, now leads the Public Law and Regulatory division at Burness Paull after joining the firm earlier in the year.

Hazel is also listed in the Legal 500’s Hall of Fame for public law, parliamentary and public affairs work. It is the first time two such highly-regarded public law specialists have come together in one law firm.

The duo will combine their expertise in areas such as judicial review and public inquiries, corporate governance and regulatory law, education law in relation to schools, further education and higher education, and statutory interpretation and legislative drafting, to provide advice and representation to both public sector bodies and to businesses and organisations seeking to work efficiently with regulators or statutory bodies.

Commenting on the firm’s latest appointment Burness Paull chair Peter Lawson said:

“Both Brexit and the Covid pandemic are providing clients with significant challenges, and sweeping new regulations are likely to be introduced across a raft of industries in the months and years ahead.

“We need to ensure we have the best legal talent in place to support clients through these business-critical issues, and Fiona is a very well established practitioner with an excellent reputation.

“Hazel has already made a great impact since joining the firm during the summer, she and Fiona have known each other for many years and combine very well both personally and professionally.

“They are a formidable partnership, and we are in no doubt they will build a highly successful team around them.

“Their combination of talent and experience will also help to create additional opportunities for our existing and well-regarded public procurement practice, forming a centre of excellence from day one.”