Former MP Joanna Cherry returns to legal career

Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry KC is returning to the Scottish bar.

Cherry previously represented Edinburgh South West between 2015 until earlier this year, when she lost her seat to Labour’s Scott Arthur.

She served as the SNP’s justice spokesperson for six years and also ran to lead the group after Angus Robertson failed to be get re-elected in 2017, but lost to Ian Blackford.

She is known for the leading role she played in the legal challenge to Boris Johnson’s government when it prorogued parliament in September 2019, which resulted in the quashing of that prorogation.

Cherry was removed from the SNP frontbench in February 2021 during a reshuffle, but she would later go on to chair the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

Before entering Westminster, Cherry had been a solicitor and advocate. She was appointed a Queen’s Counsel (now known as a King’s Counsel) in 2009.

She is joining legal firm Ampersand Advocates’ Scottish Stable.

Alan Moffat of Ampersand said: “We are delighted to welcome Joanna to Ampersand. Her expertise in human rights and public law, combined with her recent experience in high-level constitutional matters, along with her medical and FAI experience, will be an invaluable asset to our stable.”