Leading Associates

Personal injury: defender in Scotland

Brodies LLP

The team at Brodies LLP is jointly led by Carly Forrest and Laura McMillan, operating out of Glasgow and Edinburgh, respectively. Forrest has longstanding experience assisting major insurance companies with catastrophic injury claims, while McMillan is noted for her specialism in industrial disease. Key members of the team include Gemma Nicholson, who stands out for her expertise in complex workplace injury and road traffic accident claims, and Michael Wilson, who routinely handles a broad range of cases concerning defective products.

Responsables de la pratique:

Carly Forrest; Laura McMillian


Autres avocats clés:

Gemma Nicholson; Michael Wilson; Ellen Andrew


Les références

‘Laura McMillan – Excellent case analysis and cuts through complex issues. Makes it easy for clients to make decisions on cases to move them forward. Ellen Andrew – Client engagement is excellent, quality of reporting is also excellent. ’

‘The team is very knowledgeable and approachable. Explains things in a way that anyone can understand. Excellent communication, compared to other firms.’

‘Ellen Andrew dealt with one of our claims. From the outset, she had a clear plan of what we should do, understanding all the key issues and able to present them concisely. She was confident in her approach and clear in what she needed from us to proceed, which was very refreshing and reassuring. She knew what she wanted to do and executed it to a high standard, getting a great result for us. She was very knowledgeable and we were happy to trust her opinions.’

Principaux clients

Aviva


Zurich Insurance


Abellio


Axis Insurance


Cape plc


Babcock International Group


MS Amlin


National Express Group


Enstar


Sunderland Marine Insurance


BTO Solicitors LLP

The ‘extremely able’ team at BTO Solicitors LLP routinely acts for high-profile insurers and self-insured organisations. In Edinburgh, Wendy Thomson leads the team, utilising her longstanding experience to handle high-profile workplace accident claims. Glasgow’s Catherine Currie is well-equipped to handle the full spectrum of cases involving amputations and both brain and spinal injuries, with a strong focus on fatal claims. Praised by clients for her ‘exceptional know-how and steely determination’, Claire White stands out due to her specialism in sport-related claims and product liability. Rhona McKerracher often advises clients on motor and public liability claims, with a strong focus on psychiatric and orthopaedic injury work.

Responsables de la pratique:

Wendy Thomson


Autres avocats clés:

Catherine Currie; Claire White; Rhona McKerracher; Stephen Bryceland


Les références

‘Catherine Currie’s team possesses the level of acumen we need on large losses, which assists us greatly in communications with our stakeholders.’

‘Rhona McKerracher is a very experienced and capable associate.’

‘Valuable local client & industry/sector knowledge & an awareness of insurers’ reporting requirements & needs.’

Principaux clients

RSA


American International Group UK Limited


NFU Mutual Insurance Society Limited


Chubb European Group Limited


MPS


MDDUS


MDU


Newline


Riverstone Insurance Limited


UK General Insurance Limited


AXIS Capital


AXA XL


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised a UK-based manufacturer of a yacht winch and their insurers, in connection with a claim brought in the Florida courts by an individual who suffered serious hand injuries while using the equipment on a yacht.
  • Acted for the employers of a man who raised a multi-million pound court action after being seriously injured while working on an offshore drilling platform.
  • Defence of a court action raised by a receptionist for alleged stress at work, bullying and harassment due to alleged failures by her employers to address her concerns over Covid-19 safety measures.

Clyde & Co

Noted by clients for its ‘outstanding technical knowledge’, the offering at Clyde acts for a diverse client roster of local authorities, major insurers, and transport companies. In Edinburgh, practice head Vikki Melville is well-known for her extensive experience acting for major insurers and corporate clients, often acting in road traffic accident cases. Greg MacDougall is recommended for his specialism in travel and marine-related catastrophic injury claims. Andrew Constable is a key name for public and employers’ liability claims, areas in which the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Ali Tyler, who was promoted to partner in September 2024, is also an expert. Andy Tolmie is a key figure within the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Vikki Melville


Autres avocats clés:

Greg MacDougall; Andrew Constable; Andy Tolmie; Toni Ashby; Amy Riley; Ali Tyler; David Tait


Les références

‘Clyde & Co Personal Injury team in Scotland provide an outstanding service in all areas of personal injury claims. What differentiates it from other firms is its people. They have some of the most experienced personal injury lawyers in Scotland. ’

‘Clyde & Co have some of the most experienced staff in the industry who have an outstanding technical knowledge across all areas of the sector. Overall, an excellent firm. ’

‘We work closely with Amy Riley, Greg MacDougall and Ali Tyler on our Scottish claims. They are all very timely in their responses, are extremely knowledgeable in the procedures of Scottish Law and a pleasure to work with.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acted in claims arising from fatalities across a range of circumstances including public liability, employers’ liability and road traffic liability.
  • Assisted with delivering savings in high-potential value injury claims following detailed investigations in the context of suspicions of dishonesty.
  • Defended at proof in the Court of Session, a Scottish local authority in a disease case that was highly significant for Scots law on causation.

Harper Macleod LLP

Standing out due to its public-sector focus, the team at Harper Macleod LLP is well-equipped to handle the full range of workplace accident public liability cases. Practice head Heather Calderwood is noted for her broad expertise, which spans both fatal and non-fatal catastrophic claims arising due to public liability and road traffic accidents. The ‘level-headed and very well prepared’ Suzanne McGarrigle is recommended for her deep knowledge of industrial disease claims, and cases concerning accidents at work, namely noise-induced hearing loss, asbestos, and Lyme disease.

Responsables de la pratique:

Heather Calderwood


Autres avocats clés:

Suzanne McGarrigle; Amy Dickson


Les références

‘Very well organised, good support provided to client and to instructed counsel, a real sense of working together with counsel as a team to provide the client with the best legal advice in a highly anxious case.’

‘Excellent relationships with public sector clients. Understand the particular difficulties and pressures faced by clients in the public sector. ’

‘Suzanne fights for her clients and is very hard working.’

Kennedys

Kennedys houses a broad offering known for its ability to handle complex claims across the transport and agriculture spaces, acting for both lay and professional drivers. Working out of the Edinburgh office, practice lead Rory Jackson routinely assists clients with both employers’ and public liability claims, while Louise Houliston leads the firm’s fraud practice, often handling cases involving fatal collisions and catastrophic injury. Peter Demick divides his time between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and is noted for his specialism in motor claims. In Glasgow, Clare Crawford is a key member of the team known for handling employers’ liability claims for public sector bodies.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rory Jackson


Autres avocats clés:

Peter Demick; Louise Houliston; Clare Crawford; Tim Lennox


Les références

‘Kennedys Scotland has grown over the years, however always provides a fantastic service, achieves good results and is willing to pick things up at short notice, putting in the extra mile to get the job done. A good mix of experience and specialism also helps their overall offering. They are always willing to collaborate and provide an opinion to assist our team.’

‘Peter Demick and Tim Lennox are exceedingly good solicitors, knowledgeable in their field and able to provide both simplistic answers to junior colleagues, whilst providing significant thought and detail to more experienced colleagues. Happy to provide training and have ensured some very good results for us over the years with their intelligence and understanding of Scottish Law.’

‘I have worked with Rory Jackson and Tim Lennox have provided a great service. Nothing is ever too much trouble.’

Principaux clients

Aviva


AXA Insurance


Covea Insurance


Haven Insurance


HDI Global Insurance


Liberty Mutual Insurance


TUI UK


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Abellio Scotrail in a personal injury claim raised at the specialist All-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court involving allegations of stress at work.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts

Spread between Glasgow and Edinburgh, the team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts acts for numerous government entities and motor dealerships. Jenny Dickson leads the team and is well-known for her vast knowledge of historic abuse and industrial disease claims, while Nicola Edgar is particularly adept at handling fatal claims, often advising on pre-litigated cases. Sofia Crolla is well-placed to assist with the full range of cases concerning accidents at work, and Robyn Keay is a key name of note with wider experience in health and safety regulations.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jenny Dickson


Autres avocats clés:

Nicola Edgar; Sofia Crolla; Robyn Keay


Les références

‘I work with a number of members of the Morton Fraser team. They are characterised by their deep knowledge of personal injury (particularly industrial disease).’

‘They have a helpful and reasonable approach. Their thorough, courteous and professional way of working results in them achieving consistently good results for defenders.’

‘Robyn Keay is bright, courteous, pragmatic and reasonable. She is an excellent lawyer.’

Principaux clients

Ministry of Defence


Royal Mail


Arnold Clark


Scottish Government


Historic Environment Scotland


Police Scotland


UK Government


AXIS Managing Agency Limited


Gallagher Bassett


Glasgow City Council


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for the Ministry of Defence in a high volume of noise-induced hearing loss cases, and regularly acts in historic asbestos disease claims.
  • Acted on high-value claims against executors, and are frequently instructed to provide advice relating to professional negligence.
  • Representing Arnold Clark in road traffic cases in Scotland.

Anderson Strathern

Anderson Strathern houses a practice known for its specialism in representing public sector clients, notably including the Scottish Prison Service, the Home Office, and Transport Scotland. Sarah Phillips leads the team and is noted for her experience acting in Fatal Accident Inquiries, particularly those concerning deaths in custody. The ‘exceptional’ Lucy Thornton routinely appears before the Sheriff Courts and the All-Scotland Personal Injury Court on behalf of government entities and insurers, often concerning employers’ liability and industrial disease cases. Julia McDonald is a key figure within the team, known for her specialism in claims involving the excessive use of control and restraint techniques within prisons.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sarah Phillips


Autres avocats clés:

Julia McDonald; Lucy Thornton


Les références

‘Lucy Thornton is exceptional. Her attention to detail and commitment to the case are exceptional. Her organisational abilities are exceptional.’

‘The team at Anderson Strathern, in my experience, mainly focus on defending personal injury claims on behalf of government departments. Given their breadth of experience in dealing with this kind of work, their pragmatic and proactive approach is welcome when I work with them. They understand their client’s needs and, from the outset of a case, have a strategy in place as to how best to deal with matters.’

‘Sarah Philips and Lucy Thornton are a pleasure to work with. They are organised, approachable, yet tenacious, always striving to achieve the best result for their clients. They adopt a team approach to cases, act on advice given, but are also knowledgeable and confident enough to contribute to discussions and tactical decisions. Their instructions are always welcome.’

Principaux clients

Transport Scotland


Marine Scotland


HSE


The Crown Office


The Department for Work and Pensions


The Home Office


HMRC


The Scottish Prison Service


Soteria Insurance Ltd


Scottish Water


Scottish Midland Cooperative Society


Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service


Burness Paull LLP

With marine and offshore claims forming a large part of Burness Paull LLP‘s caseload, the team is also noted for handling sport-related large loss cases. Andrew Forsyth heads the practice from Edinburgh and stands out for his specialism in representing self-insured vessel operators and marine insurers. Forsyth is also recommended for his strong focus on noise, vibration, and asbestos claims. Glasgow’s Lewis Clark regularly appears before the Sheriff Courts and the Court of Session in employers’ liability claims relating to industrial disease and workplace accidents.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrew Forsyth


Autres avocats clés:

Lewis Clark


Principaux clients

NorthStandard


SGN


Charles Taylor Limited


Noble Drilling


Subsea 7


Resolute Management


CalMac Ferries


AXA XL


Halliburton


Kepak Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Defending passenger and crew claims for some of Scotland’s major ferry operators.
  • Acting in the defence of a seven-figure personal injury claim for catastrophic injuries sustained by an employee’s fall from height.
  • Defending personal injury litigation and associated indemnity/contribution claims, arising out of a marine casualty which resulted in the loss of multiple lives.

DWF

The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Jill Sinclair leads the team at DWF, which handles a diverse workload of cases involving Compulsory Pre-Action Personal Injury Protocol issues and road traffic accidents. Sinclair is particularly well-known for her expertise in counter fraud work relating to motor and public liability claims. Lynne Macfarlane utilises her longstanding expertise to handle the full spectrum of employers’ and public liability claims, while Andrew Lothian is noted for his expertise in high-value catastrophic injury claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jill Sinclair


Autres avocats clés:

Lynne Macfarlane; Andrew Lothian; Calum Mathieson


Les références

‘The team are very knowledgeable about the jurisdiction which they practice and are always happy to provide training and share insight regularly with their clients. They work collaboratively with their clients, leveraging their technical ability and tenacious reputation in order to attain the best outcome.’

‘We have worked with Jill Sinclair for a number of years and she has always been extremely knowledgeable and willing to assist with any ad hoc queries or advice. Jill is always willing to assist in developing our pre-litigation strategies, ensuring that our approach pre-litigation sets up the case in the best possible way.’

‘Good communication by the team and helpful with providing training.’

Principaux clients

Aviva


DLG


RSA


Allianz


First Central


QBE


Action 365 Ltd


Markerstudy


Ageas


Ticker


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted in litigation arising from stabbings at Park Inn Hotel, Glasgow, during the first Covid-19 lockdown in the UK.
  • Acted in a £10 million motorcycle claim.
  • Advised on decisions in Scotland to successfully disapply QOCS protection on behalf of Aviva, RSA, and LV.

Keoghs LLP

Keoghs LLP acts for a diverse client base of high-profile insurers and underwriters, retail companies, and healthcare providers in Glasgow. The following all jointly lead the team: Douglas Cowan, David Hennessy, Emily Jeffrey, Laura Baxendale, Joanne Farrell, Laurie Traynor, Zoe Strong, Eoin Quinn, and Kirsty Cassidy. Cowan is well-equipped to assist with fatal road traffic accident claims, while Hennessy is noted for his expertise in workplace accident and occupiers’ liability claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Douglas Cowan; David Hennessy; Emily Jeffrey; Laura Baxendale; Joanne Farrell; Laurie Traynor; Zoe Strong; Eoin Quinn; Kirsty Cassidy


Les références

‘David Hennessy – brilliant! supported our client on behalf of their insurers. From the initial call with David to his actions and involvement throughout, his calm demeanour, knowledge & experience, support and guidance, and all delivered with a kind and caring tone – he was a guiding light for both client and us. All felt we were in very safe hands. He is exactly the kind you would want on your team in a crisis.’

‘Laurie Traynor has been involved in a few claims across a no. of my clients. She will go that extra mile for them and us. She helped support, facilitate & deliver for us with the client training sessions.’

‘Laurie Traynor knows our business well and understands our specific needs and requirements. She is great to work with.’

Principaux clients

Liberty Mutual


Allianz


Markel Insurance


AvivaPro Global


LV


First Central Insurance


Equity Red Star


Direct Line Group


Davies Group Limited


Premier Underwriting Limited


Mulsanne Insurance Company Limited


Key Claims and Administration Service Limited


Indemnis Limited


Catalina Holdings UK Limited


Broker Direct


Action365


Markerstudy Insurance Company Limited


AXA Insurance UK Plc


Motor Insurers’ Bureau


Tesco Underwriting Limited


FSCS


Chubb Insurance Company Limited


RSA


Zurich


Enstar


Protector


Riverstone Insurance


Ageas


QBE


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Allianz Insurance in a manual handling case by an employee who claimed to have suffered a back strain injury due to lifting at work.
  • Represented Iceland in a public liability claim at proof.
  • Represented QBE for Scottish Ambulance Service in claims arising from a collision between a car and an Ambulance.

Ledingham Chalmers LLP

The broad offering at Ledingham Chalmers LLP is noted by clients for its ‘superb’ personal injury work, often representing local authorities before the All Scotland Personal Injury Court, in addition to appearing before the Court of Session. Practice head Graeme Edward works out of the Aberdeen office, utilising his longstanding experience to handle historic child abuse and fatal injury claims. In Edinburgh, Sarah Morris is recommended for her vast knowledge of stress at work cases, while Marie Cartney is a key member of the team noted for her expertise in workplace accident and occupiers’ liability cases.

Responsables de la pratique:

Graeme Edward; Victoria Leslie


Autres avocats clés:

Sarah Morris; Marie Cartney


Les références

‘Sarah Morris leads a very capable personal injury team. She is incredibly organised and has invested in training those who work with her so that the support that they provide advocates is consistent, thorough and focused. As a result, their depth of experience in defender PI work is superb. Sarah, in particular, has her finger on the pulse of the issues which are important for her clients and how best to manage case outcomes.’

‘Sarah Morris is standout in terms of her work and her ability to build strong relationships with people.’

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


East Lothian Council


Principaux dossiers


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

Weightmans LLP

Weightmans LLP‘s offering is well-equipped to handle a broad range of claims spanning occupiers’ liability, road traffic accidents, and industrial disease. Pamela Stevenson leads the Glasgow-based team and stands out for her knowledge of stress at work, public liability, and employers’ liability cases. Mark Hasting joined the group from BTO in November 2024, contributing his broad experience in claims involving pain disorders, in addition to advising on fraudulent claims. Lorna Ferguson is particularly adept at handling industrial disease claims, and is active across the transport and oil and gas industries.

Responsables de la pratique:

Pamela Stevenson


Autres avocats clés:

Mark Hasting; Lorna Ferguson


Les références

‘Weightmans has significant expertise in dealing with all types of defender personal injury litigation, including high-value and complex personal injury claims. They are very approachable and often reach out for ad hoc advice.’

‘Pamela Stevenson and her team have significant experience, and the speed of their responses is fantastic.’

Principaux clients

Zurich Insurance


Municipal Mutual Insurance


Tesco Underwriting


AIG Europe


Sabre Insurance


Hiscox


Hastings Insurance


First Underwriting


AXA XL


HDI Global


Tradex


Berkshire Hathaway Speciality Insurance


Protector


Lidl


Nestle


BP


DHL Logistics


Gallagher Bassatt


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented AIG in a fatal mesothelioma recovery claim brought against their insured by the insurers of a housing association.
  • Instructed by Hastings to defend an RTA claim arising from a collision between a vehicle and a motorcycle in which the motorcyclist was seriously injured.
  • Instructed by Pro Global in a fatal mesothelioma action brought by 16 members of the deceased’s family alleging asbestos exposure during the deceased’s employment with the defender’s predecessors.