Leading Associates

Personal injury: defender in Scotland

Brodies LLP

Brodies LLP’s ‘knowledgeable and professional’ personal injury team services major national and international insurance groups, and regularly handles complex foreign jurisdiction matters, with ‘highly talented’ co-head Carly Forrest specialising in at-sea personal injury claims. Edinburgh-based practice co-leader Laura McMillan has considerable experience in highly complex and sensitive catastrophic loss and abuse cases. Kate Donachie is another key member of the team, alongside Malcolm Mackay and Gemma Nicholson, who regularly assist with workplace injury and industrial disease claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Carly Forrest; Laura McMillian


Autres avocats clés:

Kate Donachie; Malcolm Mackay; Gemma Nicholson; Duncan MacLean


Les références

‘A capable personal injury defense team. Good knowledge of the law and enthusiasm for investigating claims.’

‘Carly Forrest is an exceptionally competent lawyer with a good eye for a commercial settlement.’

‘I have sought advice and support form Brodies over the last decade in the area of personal injury claims for workplace accidents. I have always found them to be knowledgeable and professional while considering the legal variables of any particular cases.’

Principaux clients

Aviva


Zurich Insurance


Abellio Ltd


Axis Capital Insurance


Cape plc


Babcock International Group


MS Amlin


National Express Group


Enstar/Starstone Underwriting Limited


Sunderland Marine Insurance


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Scapa Flow Charters and insurers, MS Amlin, in a claim made by the widow of a diver who was killed in a diving accident in August 2012.

BTO Solicitors LLP

Housing a deep bench of highly experienced practitioners, the personal injury practice at BTO Solicitors LLP is led by Stephen Bryceland, who is well-versed in pre-litigation public liability claims. The team handles highly sensitive workplace abuse cases in the care sector, and complex road traffic accident claims. Experienced mediator Garry Ferguson has extensive litigation experience, with a particular focus in brain injury, neurological conductions and workplace related chronic pain mandates. Solicitor advocates Catherine Currie and Mark Hastings handle catastrophic injury claims and offshore litigation damages claims, and Wendy Thomson is another active member of the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Stephen Bryceland


Autres avocats clés:

Garry Ferguson; Catherine Currie; Mark Hastings; Wendy Thomson


Les références

‘The team is very experienced in defender personal injury matters. Clear understanding of client objectives in individual cases and thorough preparation of cases.’

‘Catherine Currie is a stand out. She has all the abilities needed for this type of work. Level-headed and clear in her advice on risks and options for clients.’

‘Extremely competent with a wealth of experience. Always straightforward to deal with. They are attentive with an eye for detail and good communicators with swift response times.’

Principaux clients

RSA


American International Group UK


NFU Mutual Insurance Society


Chubb European Group


MPS, MDDUS & MDU


Newline


Riverstone Insurance


UK General Insurance


Principaux dossiers


  • Defending £16.25million claim against a multi-national power company arising from a fall from two stacked portacabins within the confines of a work site which sat adjacent to an electrical substation in Aberdeen.
  • Defending claim arising from an injury sustained by the Pursuer, when she ran into the end wall having taken part in an egg and spoon race at her daughter’s nursery sports day.
  • Defending a claim for stress at work, and bullying and harassment as a result of the Defender’s failure to erect a safety screen, to protect against the risk of covid, at the area where she carried out her work, despite the Pursuer’s requests.

Clyde & Co

‘The vanguard of defender reparation’, Clyde & Co houses a market-leading personal injury practice, with extensive experience in motor vehicle catastrophic injury claims. Routinely advising corporate, public, and private sector clients, the ‘strong and established’ practice handles a broad range of matters, including small claims and liability cases. Team head and managing partner Vikki Melville handles complex property damage mandates, large loss claims, and general insurance ligation. ‘Pre-eminent lawyer’ David Tait focuses on industrial disease claims, while Rachel Henry assists with employers’ liability matters and Andrew Constable is noted for his expertise in employers’ liability, public liability and road traffic claims. Tanya Gordon is another key member of the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Vikki Melville


Autres avocats clés:

David Tait; Rachel Henry; Andrew Constable; Tanya Gordon; Mark Donaldson


Les références

‘Tanya Gordon, Mark Donaldson, and Rachel Henry continue to be market leaders in their respective fields. Their professionalism, integrity and pragmatism are benchmarks for others in the sector.’

‘Vikki Melville is client focused, aware of our business and able to anticipate our needs. Clearly very experienced and well connected across the industry and uses that to seek solutions. Works hard to maintain and build the relationship.’

‘Clyde & Co remain in the vanguard of defender reparation. They clearly have the trust of their clients to handle the highest value and most complex of claims. The team are proactive in progressing cases.’

Harper Macleod LLP

Harper Macleod LLP’s ‘well-organised and highly knowledgeable’ personal injury practice is situated within the firm's wider insurance department and regularly handles industrial disease, road traffic accident and employ and public liability cases. Practice head Heather Calderwood has considerable experience in catastrophic injury and fatal claims, while ‘established and confident practitioner’ Suzanne McGarrigle is instructed on Covid-19 industrial disease mandates. Assisting with spinal injury cases and litigation, Amy Dickson is another key contact in the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Heather Calderwood


Autres avocats clés:

Suzanne McGarrigle; Amy Dickson


Les références

‘The team is well-organised and highly knowledgeable about relevant law, practice and procedure. Counsel’s papers are comprehensive and instructions are detailed and helpful.’

‘Experienced litigators handling significant value claims. The team bring a wealth of experience to their litigations. A personable team and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Suzanne McGarrigle is an established, confident practitioner. Without doubt a a subject matter expert on lung diseases.’

Kennedys

The practice at Kennedys is praised for its ‘excellent communication and expertise’ when dealing with workplace accidents, complex multi-jurisdictional mandates and road traffic collisions. The team, led by dual-qualified Rory Jackson, is also well equipped to deal with employers' liability, public liability, catastrophic injury and fatal matters. Peter Demick and Daniela Fusi are active members of the team, handling spinal injury and other occupational disease claims. Bolstered by the expertise of ‘excellent lawyer’Louise Houliston the team also handles fraud cases and regulatory work.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rory Jackson


Autres avocats clés:

Peter Demick; Daniela Fusi; Louise Houliston


Les références

‘The team’s strength lies in excellent communication and collaborative attitude, which helps in the decision process. The team is experienced and available when needed and provide a very professional and well-organised service throughout.’

‘Louise Houliston is an excellent lawyer as well as a great partner, managing a fantastic team. She provides good quality instructions and actions relevant advice timeously. Clients like her for distilling complex information and for her friendly and approachable manner.’

‘Peter Demick and the Kennedys team in Scotland ensure that all manner of motor and commercial liability claims raised in that jurisdiction are in the safest of hands.’

Principaux clients

Aviva


AXA Insurance


Covea Insurance


Haven Insurance


HDI Global Insurance


Liberty Mutual Insurance


TUI UK


Morton Fraser MacRoberts

Praised as 'reliable, knowledgeable and always available’, Morton Fraser MacRoberts handles a range of industrial disease cases, in addition to fatal accident inquiries and historic abuse claims. Team leader Jenny Dickson is ‘extremely experienced’ in representing private clients in occupational disease and road traffic accident cases. Robyn Keay takes a 'solid, strategic approach to all of her cases’, particularly industrial disease mandates, and Sofia Crolla is another key contact in the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jenny Dickson


Autres avocats clés:

Robyn Keay; Sofia Crolla


Les références

‘Jenny Dickson heads up a strong team. She is extremely personable but also involved in her client’s cases. She’s not afraid to roll her sleeves up and get steeped in a case.’

‘Robyn Keay has a solid, strategic approach to all of her cases.’

‘We receive clear pragmatic advice on all our personal injury claims from the team at MFM. The advice is clearly laid out detailing the liability and our next steps, as well as quantum details.’

Principaux clients

Ministry of Defence


Royal Mail


SRUC


Arnold Clark


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Royal Mail in an industrial disease claim.
  • Acting for the MOD in a claim brought by the family of a young soldier whose life was lost when a weapon accidentally discharged.
  • Acting for the MOD in catastrophic injury cases.

Anderson Strathern

Counting major Scottish public institutions among its key roster of clients, the personal injury team at Anderson Strathern is jointly led by Sarah Phillips and Catriona Watt. Phillips is 'an experienced and focused lawyer, who is well respected across the sector', and handles occupational hazard, catastrophic injury and loss of life claims. Lucy Thronton assists with public and motor liability cases, in addition to industrial disease claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Catriona Watt; Sarah Phillips


Autres avocats clés:

Lucy Thornton


Les références

‘I have always received very clear instructions from the firm. Cases are well run and organised to get to the heart of the issues and secure the best possible results for clients.’

‘The team members have a great level of individual knowledge and perspective to cases and more widely, there is a collaborative approach to ensure best results are obtained.’

‘Good communication with clients and legal teams. Cases are presented and managed well. Requests from counsel for further investigations are progressed quickly and efficiently.’

Principaux clients

Soteria Insurance


The Scottish Government


The Scottish Prison Service


Scottish Water


The UK Government


Scottish Midland Co-operative Society


Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Soteria Insurance Ltd in relation to a personal injury claim valued by the Claimant at £250,000.
  • Advised the UK Government in relation to a complex injury claim made against them with a value in the region of £500,000.

Burness Paull LLP

Situated within Burness Paull LLP’s wider dispute resolution practice, the personal injury team is well-versed in handling maritime incidents, racial harassment litigation and occupational accident claims. Praised as 'commercially aware, pragmatic, approachable and knowledgeable’, Andrew Forsyth leads the team and handles on marine personal injury litigation, occupational disease claims and employers’ liability cases. Neil Smith defends personal injury litigation for clients following accidents at sea and is another key contact in the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrew Forsyth


Autres avocats clés:

Neil Smith


Les références

‘The practice provide timely, efficient and relevant advice on matters brought to their attention. The efficiency, response and engagement by the practice within all levels of the business is commendable.’

‘Andrew Forsyth and Neil Smith were both excellent in how they reacted quickly to a difficult situation and both had a great manner in how they dealt with our staff.’

‘Always quick to respond to questions and queries both during the working day and out of hours. Took the time to explain everything in layman’s terms so it was easy to understand various legal issues.’

Principaux clients

NorthStandard


Circet


Charles Taylor Limited


Noble Drilling


Subsea 7


Resolute Management


CalMac Ferries


AXA XL


Halliburton


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for a vessel operator in defending a high value marine incident following a traumatic amputation on an FPSO.
  • Defending a seven-figure personal litigation arising from alleged harassment at work.
  • Defending an employer’s liability claim at trial on behalf of a large corporate client.

DWF

DWF is instructed by a diverse roster of clients across a broad range of occupational hazard and health and safety claims. Led by Jill Sinclair, the team also provides ‘industry leading’ advice on injury claims, in addition to liability and causation cases. Other key contacts in the group include Lynne Macfarlane and Andrew Lothian, who handles catastrophic injury cases, while Justine Reilly assists with fraudulent motor claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jill Sinclair


Autres avocats clés:

Lynne Macfarlane; Andrew Lothian; Justine Reilly


Les références

‘Jill Sinclair is incredibly knowledgeable and generous with her time in sharing her wealth of knowledge. She is a true industry leader.’

‘DWF provide a high quality service as they put their clients first. The partners and staff I work with are first class, providing reliable and appropriate advice and guidance.’

‘DWF provides industry leading insurance fraud intelligence support services, to assist their insurer clients’ efforts to mitigate exposure to organised fraud networks in Scotland.’ 

Principaux clients

RSA


Aviva


DLG


Admiral


QBE


Liverpool Victoria


First Central


Covea


Allianz


Tokio Marine Kiln


Keoghs LLP

Zoe Strong, David Hennessey, Emily Jeffrey, Laura Baxendale, Joanne Farrell, ‘excellentLaurie Traynor, and ‘stand-out solicitor’ Douglas Cowan collectively lead the personal injury team at Keoghs LLP, with demonstrable experience in handling historic abuse claims. The team also regularly handles public liability cases, corporate risk mandates and catastrophic loss claims in the motor industry.

Responsables de la pratique:

Douglas Cowan; David Hennessy; Emily Jeffrey; Laura Baxendale; Joanne Farrell; Laurie Traynor; Zoe Strong


Les références

‘The team are very helpful, with a good knowledge in the sector.’

‘Laurie Traynor is excellent to deal with. Very knowledgeable, responsive, and understands our business.’

‘Very knowledgeable and a hands-on approach to all their case handling.’

Principaux clients

Liberty Mutual


Allianz


Markel Insurance


Aviva


Pro Global


LV


First Central Insurance


Equity Red Star


Direct Line Group


Davies Group


Premier Underwriting


Mulsanne Insurance Company


Key Claims and Administration Service


Indemnis Limited


Catalina Holdings UK Limited


Broker Direct


Action365


Markerstudy Insurance Company


AXA Insurance UK Plc


Motor Insurers’ Bureau


Tesco Underwriting


FSCS


Chubb Insurance Company


Ageas


QBE


Starr Insurance


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised John Lewis PLC on an alleged hearing loss claim at proof.
  • Defended a public liability claim at proof by a customer of a B&Q store against Kingfisher plc and disputed the subsequent appeal such that it was abandoned.
  • Successful repudiation of a public liability claim against Screwfix such that the claimant abandoned against our clients.

Ledingham Chalmers LLP

Ledingham Chalmers LLP’s ‘experienced and capable personal injury defender team’ is jointly led by John Chalmers, Graeme Edward, and Victoria Leslie. The practice is noted for its expertise in handling fraudulent claims, catastrophic and fatal cases and claims against local authorities in Scotland. Other key contacts in the group include Sarah Morris, who is ‘one of the best in her field’ when it comes to stress at work cases, and ‘incredibly experienced and capable lawyerAnna Watt.

Responsables de la pratique:

John Chalmers; Graeme Edward; Victoria Leslie


Autres avocats clés:

Sarah Morris; Anna Watt


Les références

‘Fantastic group of highly talented lawyers, who place their client’s interests first.’

‘Sarah Morris is incredibly easy to work with, very organised and manages her clients extremely well.’

‘Ledingham Chalmers have an experienced and capable personal injury defender team. They have been instructed by many, if not all, of the local authorities in Scotland for many years. They do an excellent job with all of their cases.’

Principaux clients

Direct Line Group


Gallagher Bassett


Zenith Insurance


Tradex Insurance


Markerstudy Insurance


North Lanarkshire Council


Zurich Insurance


Highland Council


City of Edinburgh Council


South Lanarkshire Council


Scottish Borders Council


Principaux dossiers


  • Defending a catastrophic claim in Court of Session for one of three co defenders.
  • Defending a local authority in an employer liability claim following an explosion at work.
  • Advising a client on a claim involving the contraction of Tuberculosis in the course of the pursuer’s employment

Weightmans LLP

The ‘highly experienced team’ at Weightmans LLP handles cases concerning occupational hazard liability, industrial disease fatal claims, cross-border RTA claims and historic abuse cases. Pamela Stevenson has considerable experience in disease claims, and jointly leads the practice alongside Seonaid Busby. Lorna Ferguson is another key contact in the group and advises on casualty and major loss mandates.

Responsables de la pratique:

Pamela Stevenson; Seonaid Busby


Autres avocats clés:

Lorna Ferguson


Les références

‘Very good knowledge within the team and always willing to go the extra mile for their clients.’

‘Seonaid Busby has been very helpful. We receive prompt replies to all correspondence and clear, concise advice.’

‘The communication and collaboration they deliver is exemplary.’

Principaux clients

Zurich Insurance


Markerstudy


First Central Insurance


AIG Europe


Sabre Insurance


Hiscox


Hastings Insurance


First Underwriting


AXA XL


Principaux dossiers


  • Instructed by Mutual Municipal Insurance in a complex historical abuse case (A v Falkirk Council).
  • Instructed by the Motor Insurance Bureau to deal with a RTA litigation arising from an accident abroad (Fitsimmons v MIB).
  • Instructed by Pro Global Insurance in a complex fatal mesothelioma action that was raised in the Court of Session (Meechan v Foster Wheeler (London) Limited).