“What I like best about my job is making a difference for my clients who are often in difficult situations.”

Gail Goodfellow Solicitor Advocate

My History

Born and educated in Aberdeen I was admitted as a solicitor in 1985. I have specialised in criminal court work and have been successfully representing clients for over 30 years.

Following a rigorous assessment process I was admitted as a Solicitor Advocate in 2008 by the Law Society of Scotland which conferred upon me extended rights of audience to represent clients charged with the most serious of crimes in the High Court of Justiciary.

I am a former tutor in Criminal Advocacy at Aberdeen University and was an advisor to the Criminal Law Committee of the Law Society of Scotland.

I am registered to provide criminal legal assistance by the Scottish Legal Aid Board and can provide advice on  eligibility for legal aid and alternative payment arrangements.

Areas of Expertise

Road Traffic Offences

Losing your driving licence could result in the loss of your employment, your home, and your family.
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Assault

Assault is a common offence and can arise unexpectedly and uncharacteristically.
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Drug Related Offences

Drugs are amongst the most common offences before the Scottish courts.
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Sexual Offences

There have been many changes in the law on rape and sexual offences recently.
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Fraud

Fraud can range from low value fraud such as avoiding a taxi fare to high level complex business transactions.
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Theft and Robbery

Convictions for crimes of dishonesty can have a significant impact on your employment.
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Internet Crime

The use of the Internet has been subject to increasing scrutiny by the law, covering both of the type of material distributed and accessed via the Internet, and the use of social media sites.
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Firearms

Possession of an air pistol can lead to prosecution.
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Murder and Culpable Homicide

Murder carries a sentence of life imprisonment and is prosecuted exclusively in the High Court.
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Breach of Peace

Shouting, swearing aggressive or racist behaviour or fighting can all be classed as a breach of the peace depending on the circumstances.
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Gail Goodfellow has been my instructing solicitor in many cases as well as having been instructed in her own right as my junior in the High Court. Her hard work, level of preparation, people skills, court craft and knowledge of the law have never ceased to impress me - a credit to the legal profession.

Frances McMenamin, QC

My firm has instructed Gail Goodfellow in many High Court trials as lead Solicitor Advocate. She is an exceptional trial advocate and a skilful cross examiner. Her organisation and preparation is top class. I have no hesitation in recommending her as one of Scotlands best criminal defence lawyers.

Iain Paterson, Senior Solicitor Advocate, Paterson Bell, Edinburgh

Thank you for representing me in a long drawn out case which... During the twelve months the case took to resolve, you were completely professional in all respects, keeping me informed about court procedure and hearings etc. Thanks to your diligence the case against me was dropped and I am delighted with the result. Gail you are the best, thank you so much.

Thank you very much for the excellent defence you provided for me. I was both shocked and delighted by the positive outcome.