Joel is a partner in our Court and Arbitration department, having completed his law degree at University of Glasgow in 1996 and Diploma in Legal Practice at University of Edinburgh in 1997. Having trained in local government, and worked both in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Joel was a partner at Macdonalds and then Morton Fraser LLP before joining Mitchells Roberton as a partner in August 2016.
Joel specialises in commercial litigation and debt recovery, with particular expertise in insolvency, asset-based lending, property litigation, complex secured debt recovery, and professional negligence. He undertakes work for all types of clients, from individuals to PLCs, and from non-profits to financial institutions. He has a particular interest in advising the licensed trade and professional services industries.
Joel was the first solicitor to be awarded accreditation by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Debt & Asset Recovery Law and frequently provides training on such subjects to clients and other professionals.
Though an experienced practitioner in the Sheriff Court and Court of Session, Joel appreciates that clear and commercial advice always focuses on the best economic outcome for the client, and time spent outside court in negotiation, or narrowing the scope of the dispute, is often the most important time in any case.
Joel was appointed by the Lord President to the Scottish Civil Justice Council in Spring 2016, a role which involves examining the civil court systems and considering potential reforms. He also sits part-time as a Legal Member on the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland’s Housing and Property Chamber, dealing mainly with private rented sector cases.
He lives in the south side of Glasgow, and is married with a young son and daughter. Outside work, most of his time is spent chasing after his children, but he also finds time to be a board member of a number of charities involved in cultural work. He is also a keen reader and researcher in ethnography and folklore, publishing and presenting papers in these subjects, particularly on legal and commercial issues.
Email: jmc@mitchells-roberton.co.uk
