Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Clinical Negligence - Scotland (Bar)
What the Team is Known For
Compass Chambers is praised by instructing solicitors as a leading stable in the Scottish medical and clinical negligence market, with "many capable and experienced advocates in this very complex area of law." The stable's tenants are experienced in the handling of complex and high-value claims arising from delayed diagnoses, birth injuries and surgical and dental negligence, and are regularly instructed to act for both pursuer and defender clients. Its advocates are also instructed by health boards on high-profile inquiries such as the UK-wide infected blood inquiry. Recently, members have assisted claimants in a case arising from misdiagnosis of sight issues and cases of hospital-acquired infections.
Strengths
The clerking team are excellent - very responsive, helpful and willing to help sort any issues that might arise. Gavin Herd is very commercially aware and willing to engage in sensible discussion.
Compass Chambers' clerking staff are excellent and very well led by Gavin Herd.
Compass Chambers' clerking team are phenomenally helpful. They go the extra mile and no task seems too big or too small.
Gavin Herd and Lesley Hogg are excellent.
Compass's clerks are second to none - always helpful, friendly and responsive.
Notable practitioners
Andrew Smith KC is a highly experienced silk with a broad practice who is recognised for his excellent advocacy skills. He stands out for his extensive track record in multiparty actions, including the vaginal mesh litigation.
Andrew is very quick on his feet and totally fearless in front of the Bench.
When Andrew takes on a case, he pursues it with ability, enthusiasm and passion that demolishes the opposition.
Astrid Smart KC is an effective advocate praised for her capability in handling complex and high-value cases of medical and dental injury. Her broad civil practice extends to related areas of law such as personal injury and professional negligence. Instructing solicitors praise her extensive medical knowledge.
Astrid brings real pragmatism to cases and can explain why some things should or shouldn't proceed based on what will come up on the other side.
Astrid is the go-to senior for clinical negligence work. She is tenacious and determined, achieving excellent results in even the most complex and difficult of cases.
Astrid is one of the single best clinical negligence KCs in Scotland. Her knowledge of the medicine truly is second to none. She is the name you need to lead in a complex, high-value case.
Amber Galbraith KC regularly handles complex clinical negligence claims as part of a dynamic civil practice. She represents both those pursuing claims and those defending against them, and displays an aptitude for addressing issues such as catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
Amber is very assured, calm and very detailed, especially in complex cases.
Amber is incredibly friendly and personable, and has the perfect mix of medical and legal knowledge. She cares about her cases and clients.
Amber is a pleasure to work with. She is pragmatic, efficient, organised and thorough. She has a lovely manner and is excellent with clients.
Kate Bennett's medical negligence practice is bolstered by her experience working as a clinical negligence and personal injury solicitor. She handles a range of medical negligence matters including delayed diagnosis, birth injuries, and fatal claims which touch on complex mental health issues. She represents both pursuers and defenders and is regularly instructed by NHS Scotland.
Kate gives clear advice to the clients on tactics and is very good in her written advice.
Kate is an excellent junior.
Kate is always very well prepared and unflappable. She is very approachable and has a keen tactical awareness which proves extremely helpful.
Richard Pugh KC is a dual expert in personal injury and clinical negligence who provides representation to both pursuers and defenders. He tackles a range of complex claims, including those involving birthing injuries and severe cases of paraplegia.
Richard is great to work with. He is thorough, well prepared and diligent. He is excellent on his feet.
Richard can always be relied upon to provide insightful advice on the most complicated legal issues. He has a practical approach and a calm demeanour.
Robert Milligan KC is a robust advocate who operates a specialist clinical negligence and personal injury practice. He represents both pursuers and defenders in connection with catastrophic injury claims and fatal accident inquiries.
Robert is pragmatic, level-headed and an excellent negotiator. He is incredibly efficient and decisive, and a real pleasure to work with.
Barney Ross is very well versed in handling cases regarding catastrophic brain injury and birthing injury. He is also experienced acting on matters involving issues of mental health.
Barney is a terribly nice guy – very supportive and hard-working, with good judgement about tactics.
Barney is absolutely excellent and very intelligent, and he grasps issues very quickly.
Barney is an extremely capable advocate who has great patience and diligence. He is always easy to work with and approachable.
Barney is one of the nicest people you could come across. The quality of his written work is second to none and it is very balanced and considered.
David Swanney is an Edinburgh-based advocate who specialises in personal injury and clinical and professional negligence. He acts for both sides on matters that see him regularly appear in the Court of Session and the Sheriff Court. He also has experience in inquiry cases.
David is able to get to the heart of an issue very quickly. He is great with clients and has a calming manner which is often needed in fraught cases.
David is very experienced in the field of clinical negligence. He is reliable and produces work timeously.
David is very good with clients, which is essential in cases where clients have been through incredibly distressing events.
Robin Cleland acts for both pursuers and defenders in high-value birth injury cases, delayed diagnoses, wrongful birth claims and surgical negligence matters. He also has a considerable, well-established personal injury practice.
Robin is approachable and great to work with.
Robin is excellent at handling complex technical issues and great at getting to the heart of a case and working out the key issues that need to be resolved.
Robin goes that extra mile in terms of trying to engage the team. He is fast becoming one of the junior advocates we instruct most often.
Robin is exceptionally hard-working and diligent.
Bruce Langlands is an up-and-coming junior whose experience as a solicitor advocate bolsters his practice at the Bar. His clinical negligence practice spans a broad range of matters including negligent prescription, failure to diagnose and dental matters. He acts on behalf of both pursuers and defenders.
Bruce is very thorough, very pragmatic and understands what his clients are looking to achieve.
Bruce has excellent attention to detail. He is thorough in his preparation of cases and willing to discuss and engage with instructing agents.
Bruce's attention to detail is second to none. He is able to swiftly get to the bottom of very complex matters, and his approach with clients is warm and engaging.
Malcolm McGregor KC is a well-established advocate who boasts extensive experience in the field of clinical negligence litigation. He predominantly represents clinicians, including medical and dental professionals, but also acts for private individuals on the pursuer side.
Malcolm McGregor is very technical and very practical.
Yvonne Waugh is a capable former solicitor with a wide-ranging practice in clinical negligence as well as personal injury. She assists claimants and their families with fatal accident, cerebral palsy birth injury and eye-related injury cases. Instructing solicitors are particularly impressed by her client skills.
Yvonne is very personable, approachable and excellent with clients. She is thorough and well prepared, and happy to take a collaborative approach that welcomes agents' views.
She is incredibly hard-working and knowledgeable.
Yvonne is fantastic to work with and always has a good grip of the key issues in a case. She is excellent with clients and experts, and ensures that she gets the most out of each meeting.
Yvonne is thorough in her preparation of cases and has a reassuring, calm manner.