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.
Personal injury: defender in Scotland
Brodies LLP
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.