Leading Associates

Medical negligence: pursuer in Scotland

Anderson Strathern

Anderson Strathern’s ‘knowledgeable’ medical negligence team regularly handles complex and high-value birth injury and obstetrics claims, boasting a wide bench of highly experienced individuals. The practice is also instructed on delayed diagnosis and duty of care breach cases. Robbie Wilson, Catriona Watt, and Robert Carr jointly lead the team, representing a wide range of individuals in mandates with complex regulatory demands, particularly fatal injury and surgical negligence claims. Gary Burton is also recommended, further bolstering the strength of the team with experience in catastrophic personal injury mandates.

Responsables de la pratique:

Robbie Wilson; Catriona Watt; Robert Carr


Autres avocats clés:

Gary Burton


Les références

‘Robbie Wilson is experienced, knowledgeable, easy to work with, and appreciated by his clients. He leads a strong team of attentive solicitors.’

‘The team is very client focused. They are proactive in dealing with complex claims and work well together.’

‘The team at Anderson Strathern are very knowledgeable about clinical negligence work. They have thought about the case before instructing counsel. It is a co-operative approach.’

Principaux clients

Harper, Robertson & Shannon


Martin & Company


Masson & Glennie


Quantum Claims


Pomphreys


Wallace Quinn


Lynn Herbert & Co


Smith & Grant


Royal College of Nursing


Balfour+Manson LLP

Balfour+Manson LLP’s medical negligence practice boasts a deep bench of ‘excellent and dedicated lawyers’, regularly consulting individuals on matters involving consent, and birth-related injuries and defects. ‘Stand out partner’ and medical negligence expert Ann Logan and Julie Clark-Spence jointly lead the practice, leading on highly complex claims against public healthcare providers. David McIntosh further broadens the team’s offering in handling cerebral palsy-related cases, while Elaine Motion leads on non-fatal negligence claims. Michaela Guthrie handles delayed diagnosis litigation and Sindi Mules is another key contact in the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ann Logan; Julie Clark-Spence


Autres avocats clés:

David McIntosh; Elaine Motion; Michaela Guthrie; Sindi Mules


Les références

‘Stand out partner Ann Logan’s keen attention to detail and strategic thinking has consistently yielded favourable outcomes. Her ability to anticipate challenges and devise innovative solutions sets her apart in the legal landscape. Additionally, her exceptional research skills and dedication to providing thorough and comprehensive support to us.’

‘Ann Logan’s depth of expertise in her field is unmatched. She continuously strives for excellence and is dedicated to staying updated with the latest developments. What truly sets her apart from competitors is her approachability and willingness to go the extra mile for clients. Ann’s prioritises building strong relationships and ensuring that clients feel supported throughout the legal process.’

‘The Balfour+Manson medical negligence team is outstanding with a wealth of experience across the board. The team provides great support for the more junior solicitors who are learning from the best.’

Digby Brown LLP

The ‘first-class team’ at Digby Brown LLP showcases ‘outstanding expertise and experience’ across the full range of medical negligence cases. With considerable experience in birth injury cases, team leader Ruth Kelliher leads on delay in diagnosis mandates. In addition to advisory work, the practice also handles related litigation and other contentious matters. Trish McFadden is praised as ‘one of the leading medical negligence solicitors in Scotland’ and assists with informed consent cases, while Megan McGuire is recommended for her advice on matters concerning surgical error.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ruth Kelliher


Autres avocats clés:

Trish McFadden; Megan McGuire


Les références

‘Trish McFadden is very experienced, has great judgement and excellent client skills. In my opinion she is one of the leading medical negligence solicitors in Scotland.’

‘The team are all very knowledgeable and experienced, which results in well-prepared instructions for counsel.’

‘First-class team. Outstanding expertise and experience. A pleasure to work with. They truly care for their clients and are very empathetic.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advised on a high-value fatal claim for family of an individual who died after wrongly being given medication.
  • Advised on a fatal claim for family of an individual who died due to negligent test analysis.
  • Advised on a claim for a family whose child developed cerebral palsy due to negligence of the health board staff during delivery.

Drummond Miller LLP

The ‘highly skilled and competent’ team at Drummond Miller LLP stands out for its experience in delayed treatment and diagnosis work. Experienced litigator Liesa Spiller co-leads the team alongside Darren Deery, focusing on surgical errors and birth-related injuries respectively. The team also advises on missed diagnosis and neonatal death cases, with its offering further bolstered by ‘outstanding’ Lorna Hale, who assists with brain injury and sight impairment-related cases. Other key contacts in the group include Susith Dematagoda and Andrew Pollock, who handles fatal accident claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Liesa Spiller; Darren Deery


Autres avocats clés:

Lorna Hale; Susith Dematagoda; Andrew Pollock; Carrie Burrows


Les références

‘The team were second to none. Very professional and excelled in their expertise.’

‘A highly skilled and competent team who really understand the complexity of the field of my injury and the impact it has had on my life. They demonstrated excellent team work drawing on the strengths and skills of each other to get the best outcomes.’

‘Lorna Hale was outstanding.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Represented bereaved families in a Fatal Accident Inquiry relating to maternity care to take place in Scotland.
  • Acted for an individual who was injured as a result of a missed diagnosis.
  • Represented the family of an individual who passed away as a result of an untreated infection leading to sepsis, achieving an admission of liability despite the Board’s initial suggestion that the care provided was appropriate.

Harper Macleod LLP

With a dedicated personal injury and reparation department, Harper Macleod LLP is praised for its 'unwavering diligence and determination to investigate every avenue' and regularly handles matters concerning surgical negligence, misdiagnosis, and treatment and prescription errors. Heather Calderwood leads the team, handling delay-related disputes, while Amy Dickson focuses on wrongful death claims. Craig McKellar is another key contact in the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Heather Calderwood


Autres avocats clés:

Amy Dickson; Craig McKellar


Les références

‘The team is headed up by the extremely able and experienced Heather Calderwood. The team strength’s is its unwavering diligence and determination to investigate every avenue and prepare the case to the highest standard whilst also managing client’s expectations in this very difficult area.’

‘Heather Calderwood is extremely able and experienced. She invariably finds a way to transform a difficult case into a resounding success. She is an iron fist in a velvet glove in the best possible sense because she maintains good relationships with those she works including in negotiations with opponents whist have a razor sharp focus on the best outcome for her client. Her work ethic is phenomenal.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for a family in relation to the death of a relative following surgical error that was not noted or corrected at the time; followed by repeated failures to notice deterioration in their health as they developed sepsis resulting in death.
  • Acting for a family following the death of a relative following a hospitals failure to correctly diagnose a treatable medical condition until it had reached a terminal stage.
  • Acting for a client who suffered catastrophic and life changing injuries as a result of medical professionals failing to properly note and follow a patient’s medical history when dispensing medication.

Lindsays

Led by David Armstrong, the medical negligence team at Lindsays takes ‘a very pragmatic and client-centred approach to’ failure to diagnose cases and dental negligence mandates, among the full range of complex pursuer matters. The team also houses several accomplished litigators and regularly handles complex disputes. Jonathan Cornwell and ‘outstanding,’ Lauren Pasi handle hospital acquired infection issues, obstetric negligence, and failure to obtain informed consent. Rachel Holt is another key contact, assisting with high value fatal claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

David Armstrong


Autres avocats clés:

Johnathan Cornwell; Lauren Pasi; Rachel Holt


Les références

‘The team is experienced, well-resourced and take a very pragmatic and client-centred approach to the work.’

‘The team is good to work with and have a good understanding of what is required to succeed in difficult cases.’

‘They are very good at explaining the purpose and progress of a legal action, which pursuers are generally unaware of. They are very competent, knowing the strengths and weakness of their cases prior to instructing counsel.’

Principaux clients

Calio Claims


Action Against Medical Accidents


Lindsays Alliance


Society of Radiographers


LIM Insurance


Law Society of Scotland


The Legal Advice Group


Trust Claims


The Scottish Vaccine Injury Group


SGCUK


Morton Fraser MacRoberts

Morton Fraser MacRoberts’s ‘highly knowledgeable, experienced and well-established’ medical negligence team is spearheaded by Jenny Dickson, handling the full range of medical negligence pursuer mandates, in addition to delayed treatment and diagnosis cases, failure to obtain informed consent, and birth injury and obstetrics matters. Nicola Edgar showcases a ‘high level of legal expertise’ and Sofia Crolla ‘stands out as a go-to practitioner in this field’. 

Responsables de la pratique:

Jenny Dickson


Autres avocats clés:

Nicola Edgar; Sofia Crolla


Les références

‘Morton Fraser MacRoberts put their clients front and centre. They go to great lengths to make sure the services they provide are professional, consistent and timely.’ 

‘Nicola Edgar has a high level of professionalism and legal expertise.’

‘The team is highly knowledgeable, experienced and well-established in the field of clinical negligence.’

Jackson Boyd LLP

Jointly led by managing partner Alan Macdonald and Dave Berry, the medical negligence team at Jackson Boyd LLP handles mental health-related negligence cases, obstetrics and birth-related claims, and breach and causation issues. ‘Standout’ Debbie Milne is a highly active member of the team, leading on cosmetic and aesthetic negligence cases, in addition to failure and delay of diagnosis mandates.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alan Macdonald; Dave Berry


Autres avocats clés:

Debbie Milne


Les références

‘All of the team work well together and demonstrate a high degree of experience in dealing with medical negligence claims. They have a wide range of appropriate experts to assist in all aspects of diagnosis, prognosis, liability and causation issues.’

‘Debbie Milne is a safe and experienced practitioner in this field. She has great support from her team and in particular.’

‘Debbie Milne is a standout individual. Her knowledge and client care is exceptional.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for the family of an individual who committed suicide following a number of attendances at hospital with attempted overdoses.
  • Acting for a client who suffered a hypoxic brain injury as a consequence of failures in the management of the mother’s labour.
  • Acting for a client following a failure to diagnose a recurrence of cancer.

Slater and Gordon

Spearheaded by ‘superb clinical negligence lawyer’ and ‘powerhouse’ Sarah McWhirter, Slater and Gordon’s Edinburgh-based medical negligence team handles a broad range of injuries, including surgical, spinal, and birth mandates. The team also has experience with fatal and catastrophic injuries, and breach of duty matters. Fiona Fowle leads on high-value claims and Joanne Gray further bolsters the team with experience in personal injury cases.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sarah McWhirter


Autres avocats clés:

Fiona Fowle; Joanne Gray


Les références

‘This is an excellent firm committed to providing a great service.’

‘Sarah McWhirter is an outstanding lawyer, She works hard and always remains focused.’

‘Fiona Fowle is very organised, switched on and responsive. She has a lovely manner and is kind and supportive with her clients.’

Irwin Mitchell Scotland

Irwin Mitchell Scotland’s medical negligence team is led by David Bell, who is particularly well-versed in missed and delayed diagnosis, birth injuries, and surgical error mandates. Other key contacts in the group include Kathleen Lang and Nicola McCartney, who assist with mental health-related negligence cases, among other mandates.

Responsables de la pratique:

David Bell


Autres avocats clés:

Kathleen Lang; Nicole McCartney


Les références

‘A very competent team and a safe pair of hands for complex cases.’

‘Kathleen Lang is conscientious and her cases are well prepared. She always shows a good grasp of the relevant issues.’

‘Client care makes them different to their competitors.’

Levy & McRae

Levy & McRae’s L&M MediLaw division continues to advise a range of clients on mandates concerning birth injury, delayed diagnosis and fatal and catastrophic negligence. Praised as ‘innovative, approachable and meticulous’, Elizabeth Rose leads the team and has a track in securing settlements in birth damage, missed diagnosis, surgical, cancer and GP failures. Other key contacts in the team include Nadine Montgomery and Suzanne Williams.

Responsables de la pratique:

Elizabeth Rose


Autres avocats clés:

Nadine Montgomery; Suzanne Williams


Les références

‘Elizabeth Rose exudes confidence and expertise, instilling self-belief and courage in her clients.’

‘Elizabeth Rose is a compassionate force for change. She is an innovative, approachable and meticulous professional who cares deeply about her clients and their experience. In my view, a lawyer with the potential to positively change the landscape for victims’ experiences in legal proceedings in this field.’

‘Suzanne Williams is a highly experienced and trusted professional with an acute attention to detail. She is measured and approachable in all aspects of her communication and dedicated to providing a service which is both trauma and mental-health informed, to holistically support clients at their most vulnerable of times.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acting in a baby meningitis case involving a missed diagnosis at 18 months old, resulting in profound hearing loss.
  • Acting in a systems error case, where an NHS system resulted in someone’s death.