Personal Injury: Mainly Defendant: Scotland
This highly regarded Glasgow firm maintains a steady workload of high-profile and high-value personal injury claims. A team of more than 30 lawyers deals with a range of workplace stress, property and fire cases for clients such as AXA, Aviva, Allianz and QBE.
KEY INDIVIDUALS John Morrison's vast experience in the field wins him regular instructions in high-profile cases concerning offshore explosions and aviation crashes. Insurer clients seek out the "driven, commercially astute and sensible" David Taylor, while his colleague Karen Dance defends EL/PL claims as well as RTAs in the Sheriff Court and Court of Session. George Moore QC is a highly experienced practitioner who now acts as a consultant at the firm.
With offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and North Berwick, this team is well placed to handle matters arising from offshore and heavy industry accidents. Clients and peers praise the firm for its "personable approach and quick resolution of cases." Major clients of the firm include Zurich, Esure and the MIB.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Anderson is a well-known figure in the market who combines his personal injury expertise with professional negligence, commercial and aviation litigation. The "accommodating and knowledgeable" veteran Gordon Keyden handles catastrophic, fatal accident and occupational disease claims.
Clients instruct this increasingly visible team on serious and fatal accident claims. The firm straddles both the claimant and defendant side of personal injury. It has recently been advising Co-operative Insurance (CI) on high-value cases.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Focused on the defence of liability cases, Douglas Keir advised CI on a claim brought by a police motorcyclist injured in a collision. Keir splits his time between defendant and claimant work, earning compliments for his representation of insurers.
One of the leaders for occupational disease work in Scotland, this admired firm acts on a large volume of instructions for liability adjusters, employers and insurers such as Zurich, Admiral and Ageas. Motor and EL/PL claims keep the firm busy, whilst the team undertakes a steady number of catastrophic claims arising out of accidents.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees admire senior partner Gilbert Anderson, who "knows more about asbestos-related litigation than anyone else," according to sources, while the "wonderfully talented" Andrew Ireland undertakes serious injury cases for AXA. Entering this year's rankings is John Maillie, who impresses clients for his "sharp eye for a good settlement deal" and "willingness to take the time to discuss tactics."
This group is noted for its "balanced advice and good service" to defendant clients on motor and casualty claims. Two lateral hires from Biggart Baillie boost a team already involved in clinical negligence and EL/PL. "They keep in regular contact to ensure standards are being met," agree claims-handling agents, general and shipping insurers.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Toby Seton is instrumental to the department and admired for his "appropriate and concise advice" and breadth of knowledge. Up-and-coming Andrew Forsyth proves invaluable to clients, who appreciate his straightforward advice.
"The team is very customer-focused and understands our needs, managing them skilfully," state clients familiar with this "solid, dependable and friendly" firm. NFU, Chubb Group and Brit Insurance regularly instruct the firm on EL/PL and high-volume claims. The market notes the loss of Louise Hay, who passed away in September 2010.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Catherine Currie is a key contact.
This responsive group's reputation was underlined by its reappointment to the Department of Energy & Climate Change and Taylor Wimpey panels. Defendants include both public and private sector clients with one recent case concerning claims by a worker following an industrial accident which rendered him paraplegic.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of department Jeffrey Hutcheson commands respect for his "speedy reply to questions, common-sense approach and simple explanations." He is acknowledged for his expertise in industrial disease cases.
Catastrophic injury cases, product liability and professional negligence make up the practice of this firm, which brought in a health and safety specialist over the year. TopMark Claims Management and Zurich feature in a client roster of insurers, insurance brokers and loss adjusters.
KEY INDIVIDUALS The experience amassed over 30 years helps David Stevenson to retain a lofty position in the rankings. Known for his diverse practice comprising serious and fatal accident claims, he has also been acting for Chester Street Insurance Holdings on claims of asbestos exposure.
"They are helpful and able to communicate complex issues in language that a lay person can understand," are the words of clients appreciative of this respected firm, which defends a large volume of RTAs. "They are very well acquainted with personal injury practice and procedure," point out barristers instructed by the team, which advises RBS Insurance and Tesco Insurance.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Charged with growing the six-lawyer practice is the "commercially focused and bright" Elizabeth Mitchell, who is "always aware of clients' needs."
Scottish local authorities, corporate insureds and public bodies instruct this team on occupational disease and motor claims as well as EL/PL cases. The team also earns respect for its defence of offshore accidents from its Aberdeen office.
KEY INDIVIDUALS John Chalmers is the key contact.
This small team commands market respect for its industrial disease expertise and especially mesothelioma cases. In addition to handling claims for Royal Mail and BAA Airports, the group has been immersed in a raft of high-value cases for the Ministry of Defence, notably the litigation following the Nimrod air crash in Afghanistan in 2006.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Ewan McIntyre leads the team.
"They provide diversity and choice and have good individuals," agree clients of this respected firm, which operates out of Aberdeen and Edinburgh. The team defends offshore workers, taking a "pragmatic and sensible approach" on offshore accidents.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Rona Jamieson leads the department.
Following the departure of Hugh McDonald, this small team is in the process of consolidation but remains active in aviation accident and industrial disease claims. In addition to its insurer client base, the team acts for ScottishPower on its disease cases and for DHL in accident claims.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Alastair Frood is a key contact.