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CURRICULUM VItae          

I have experience of legal and business matters, which has developed over more than 38 years. I was involved in litigation work for a variety of clients, which included UK and foreign government departments, multinational companies, Lloyds Underwriters, UK and foreign insurers, large UK corporations and private individuals. I advised clients in relation to complex issues arising from damages claims, road traffic law, insurance law, health and safety, maritime transport, construction law and licensing matters. I investigated cases with witnesses, and advised clients on a daily basis in relation to the law. I regularly appeared at Courts and Tribunals, throughout the country, in relation to work such as health and safely prosecutions, Fatal Accident Inquiries and licensing bodies.

I advised clients on complex areas of law, such as the impact of European Community law relating to the liability of persons to pay damages, and upon the employment rights of UK employees. I also advised clients upon matters which involved their rights, or the rights of persons for whom they were responsible, under the laws of different States in relation to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Sovereign immunity of States.

I advised organisations on employment law and appeared for them at Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal throughout the UK in cases dealing with discrimination, unfair dismissal, redundancy and trade union rights. I also prepared documentation for clients such as contracts of employment, as well as grievance and disciplinary codes.

I regularly organised and spoke at seminars for clients on matters of interest to them, such as disqualification of directors, health and safety, upcoming legislation etc. I wrote for clients a handbook entitled ‘Conduct of Personal Injury Cases in Scotland’, which explained the Scottish Rules of Court, Scottish Procedures and guidance on the calculation of heads of damages. I acted for the German Automobile Association, which is one of the largest and most influential motoring bodies in the world in relation to vehicle insurance, motor vehicles and motor sport. At their request, I spoke at a conference at the Academy of European Law in Trier, Germany, on the unification of the law relating to liability and damages in the European Union.  Through that particular connection, I was instructed by some twenty-three other continental insurers in relation to road traffic claims, practice and prosecutions. I was unable to accept a second invitation to speak at Trier on account of a Court commitment.

For the last twenty years of practice, I had been the fim’s senior court partner, responsible for supervising the provision of litigation services from 3 locations, as well as advising and supporting other colleagues in their work. Throughout my career, I was closely involved in the preparation of reports, the investigation of claims and incidents, claims management and managing projects, as well as administration. I led teams of lawyers and other experts in relation to the business of clients; and from that I have experience of working with others. I regularly met with, and reported to, the senior managers and boards of directors of my clients.
I also learned people skills: in particular, how to deal with a wide range of individuals, ranging from judges and senior civil servants, through to company directors and private individuals such as witnesses and claimants, sometimes in the full glare of publicity, following high profile cases such as deaths, employment disputes and major dangers to public safety. I retired early from private practice in March 2006.

While acting as a tutor at Glasgow University, I was involved in teaching graduate students the class of Advocacy and Pleading.

As a Temporary Sheriff I sat in courts throughout the country, dealing with the whole range of court work, including road traffic claims and prosecutions. I was required to write judgments and reports for appeals.  I also acted as an Arbiter. On the application of other solicitors to the Court, I was appointed a Commissioner under the Scottish procedure for the recovery of documents.

In my last 3 years of legal practice in Glasgow, I had been the Secretary of a large public trust. I was responsible for organising meetings of the Trustees, sending out their papers (including Agendas), the taking and circulating of Minutes,  the administration of the Fund (including dealing with auditors), stockbrokers and the Scottish Charity Regulator, the selection and appointment procedure of new Trustees, their  training and giving advice on good governance and the law.

I have a home in Spain and I was invited to help set up The Samaritans in Spain. As there was little input from the UK organisation, I was responsible for drafting its good governance documentation, based on the Nolan and Scottish Principles. I also liaised with Spanish lawyers on the incorporation of the organisation. I was appointed a member of the Executive and am also the Treasurer. As Treasurer, I do not deal with day-to-day matters. I am able to participate in Executive meetings by conference call.

Since my retirement from private practice, I have set up an online legal and business consultancy whose website is www.brianscoullar.com.

I currently hold part-time appointments as Secretary to the Boards of Governors of Stow and Cardonald Colleges. In these posts I organise the meetings of the Boards and advise the members individually and collectively on matters including good governance, recruitment of new members, training and developments in the sector. It is very interesting as through it I have learned a great deal about the further education system in Scotland and, in particular, the funding regime.

I am an external consultant to the Further Education Development Directorate of the Scottish Funding Council. In this role I am available to assist Colleges in the Scottish Further Education sector in relation to the administration of their Boards of Management and Committees, recruitment and training of members of the Boards, good governance practices and audits of their work.

I am a member of the Law Society of Scotland.

I speak French, German and Spanish.

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