My name is Duncan Henderson. I am the owner of Inverness Legal Services for Criminal Advocacy. I represent clients in criminal cases in Court as a solicitor. I have over 20 years of practice in the Courts.

I graduated from Edinburgh University in 1985 and gained my Diploma in Legal Practice in 1986 in the Highlands. I enrolled as a solicitor in 1987. I have been appearing regularly in Court since then. I became a Notary Public in 1989.

I joined the RAF as a lawyer in 1992 graduating from RAFC Cranwell with the course prize (being the first lawyer to achieve this). I served the 5 years of my short service commission in London, Germany and latterly as a prosecutor in the UK. I also undertook defence work for army personnel. During that time I cross-qualified as an English Solicitor and became an English Solicitor-Advocate (Higher Courts (Criminal))in 1996. I also met and married my wife, Sarah. We have two children.

I returned to Scotland to take up an appointment as a Procurator Fiscal Depute in Glasgow in 1996. Most of the next 2½ years were spent in the busiest Courts in Europe conducting trials covering all types of criminal cases. I transferred to Inverness as a Procurator Fiscal Depute in 1999. I recommenced private practice in 2001.

I set up my own firm undertaking criminal defence work in 2002. I am registered to provide criminal legal aid with the Scottish Legal Aid Board. I only undertake criminal work. I have been involved in a wide range of cases from the High Court through to JP Court covering many aspect of criminal law (including appeals when required. I am currently a member of the Deans Council of the Highland Faculty with a particular interest in criminal law. I have now been practising on my own for a number of years and am particularly grateful to the number of clients who have referred a friend or family member. I regularly respond to consultations on criminal law matters. Recently this has included a review of the duty solicitor scheme, review of sheriff and jury proceedure and a review of paralegal training. I also organise an annual training event for local solicitors.

In my spare time I have a number of interests which I share with my family including computer games, martial arts (where I am a black belt in aikido) and outdoor sports (where I am a level 3 instructor for inland kayak).