Brodies LLP fields a ‘very professional, knowledgable and approachable’ team of regulatory defence specialists, with Clare Bone leading the practice from Glasgow. Bone supports clients from the initial stages of incident investigations through to the conclusion of court proceedings, while Aberdeen-based Malcolm Gunnyeon is active in the energy and transport sector, focusing on major incident response, fatal accident inquiries, and defending against prosecutions related to breaches of health and safety legislation. In Edinburgh, Paul Marshall offers advice to clients in the oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing industries facing investigations and prosecutions following significant incidents, and senior associate Victoria Anderson focuses on health and safety regulatory investigations and prosecutions.

The ‘team of highly experienced regulatory lawyers’ at BTO Solicitors LLP advise clients on the full spectrum of health and safety matters. Vikki Watt helms the practice from Glasgow, specialising in defending health and safety prosecutions for both insurers and non-insurers. Lindsay MacNeill, promoted to partner in December 2023, focuses on representing medical professionals and companies during Fatal Accident Inquiries. Another key member to note is senior associate Amy Anderson, who is adept at advising clients right after incidents occur and throughout subsequent investigations.

Pinsent Masons LLP is regularly instructed to handle serious incidents and offers expertise to clients in high-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, and energy. Managing Partner Laura Cameron is highly regarded in the health and safety space and has a strong track record of representing household names in regulatory investigations. Bruce Craig, based in Aberdeen, focuses on the offshore energy and shipping sectors, providing advice to offshore drilling contractors, marine insurers, and ship owners. Katherine Metcalfe is reputed for her expertise in fire and building safety and is active in the infrastructure, energy, and real estate sectors.

Burness Paull LLP, noted for its ‘excellent technical knowledge’, focuses on the energy, construction, and healthcare sectors, offering clients crisis response advice. Led by Lynne Gray from the Aberdeen office, the team supports corporate clients undergoing investigations or prosecutions by Police Scotland, the Health and Safety Executive, and the Offshore Major Accident Regulator. Additionally, Lynne Moss plays a key role in representing clients during health and safety prosecutions, personal injury actions, and Fatal Accident Inquiries.

Providing a ‘wealth of knowledge and understanding’, Clyde & Co has extensive experience in conducting advocacy in Fatal Accident Inquiries, regularly assisting clients under investigation by bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and the police. Practice head Mark Donaldson focuses on cases involving fatalities or serious injuries in the workplace, including matters of culpable homicide and corporate homicide. Ann Bonomy specialises in regulatory crime, defending companies and individuals prosecuted under health and safety and road traffic legislation, while senior associate Kimberley Mitchell offers support from the immediate aftermath of an incident to representation in Fatal Accident Inquiries, enforcement notice appeals, and criminal prosecutions.

Anderson Strathern has a notable track record of representing the Health and Safety Executive in enforcement notice appeals and handling Fatal Accident Inquiries for government bodies including the Scottish Police Service and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. The unit is led by Sarah Phillips, who is ‘hugely experienced in both litigation and fatal accident inquiries’. Laura McCabe left the firm in February 2024.

CMS remains active in high-risk industries, including the oil and gas and energy sectors, focusing on health and safety prosecutions, accident inquiries, and corporate homicide and manslaughter investigations. Lukas Rootman, based in Sheffield, leads the firm’s UK health and safety team, while Rosalind Morgan oversees the Scottish practice from Aberdeen. Morgan assists clients through investigations conducted by the police and HSE and represents them at Fatal Accident Inquiries and Coroner’s Inquests.

Renowned for its experience in advising insurers, DAC Beachcroft Scotland LLP is active across a wide-range of industries, including construction, transport, and healthcare.  Karen Railton helms the practice, representing clients in criminal courts and supporting them through all phases of regulatory investigations conducted by the Police, HSE, and SEPA. Additionally, Zoe McDonnell offers expertise to companies, third-sector organisations, and individuals dealing with regulatory interventions and Fatal Accident Inquiries.

rradar is particularly experienced in defending against health and safety prosecutions, regularly supporting clients undergoing investigations by the HSE, Care Inspectorate, and local authority Environmental Health Officers. Leading the business crime and regulatory law department is Alastair Gray, who is recognised as an ‘exceptionally diligent and competent solicitor’.

The ‘very knowledgeable and always very responsive’ team at Shepherd and Wedderburn provides health and safety advice across multiple areas, including the oil and gas, construction, transport, and hospitality sectors. Led by Kevin Clancy, the department handles employee injuries, chemical incidents, and fatal accidents, supporting clients through all phases of legal response including investigations, interviews, and prosecutions.