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, that hosts a "large pool of some of the best clinical negligence advocates in Scotland". 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 defendants in a claim made against Lothian Health Board, concerning a delayed cancer diagnosis, which includes complex quantum issues.
Gavin Herd is the practice manager.
Strengths
They have a highly professional clerking team.
The clerking is really good. When you reach out, there's no task that is too big or too small. They make our job easier.
The clerks always respond quickly and are always happy to help.
The clerks are all extremely helpful, friendly and efficient. They swiftly respond to emails and calls, and help to make the process of instructing counsel in a case straightforward.
They have an approachable team of clerks.
Notable practitioners
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.
She is just brilliant. Astrid is able to handle the most difficult and complex cases and she is always the first name on my mind if we need a senior. She is a dream to work with.
She is exceptionally intelligent, analysing cases and understanding the key issues with ease. She gives clear and pragmatic advice and is excellent with clients and experts.
Astrid is outstanding. She is razor sharp, has an unrivalled grasp of the medical side of cases and is a formidable negotiator.
She is extremely knowledgeable in terms of the medicine and the law, and she has a perfect balance of client empathy.
Astrid is at the top of the field. She is superb with reassuring clients and is incisive in consultations with experts. She will provide considered and sound advice throughout a complex 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 excellent. She analyses cases brilliantly, cuts to the crux of complex issues and is very approachable. She gives clear advice and is excellent with clients.
Amber is excellent - she has great experience and is really good with clients. She is also balanced and sensible.
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.
He has excellent presentational skills.
He is outstanding in his area.
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.
She is easy to work with, very thorough and has very good advocacy skills. She is able to explain issues clearly to the court and to the client.
Kate is a highly experienced junior who is excellent with medical negligence matters.
Her advice is clear. She is very responsive and always on hand to answer queries.
She is popular with clients because of her straightforward and calm demeanour.
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 down to earth and is never overwhelmed despite the complexity.
He is easy to work with and he is efficient in turning things around.
He is really approachable, his advice is clear, and he is excellent when consulting with clients, witnesses or experts. Richard explains matters in a way that is very easy to understand.
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.
He is pragmatic, decisive and an excellent negotiator.
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.
He is great, I can't praise him enough. He is very hard-working and personable.
Barney is very thorough when considering his advice in relation to a case, and he is sensible in his approach. He is a very safe pair of hands for complex issues.
He is very knowledgeable and to the point.
He is very organised and he has a great ability to condense an argument very well.
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 an excellent advocate with expertise in dealing with complex medical issues. He is excellent at probing into the issues and developing strategies and is excellent with clients.
He explains things in a very straightforward manner. He is very level-headed and organised, and can get to the root of the problem very quickly.
He is exceptionally good with clients, and very knowledgeable in relation to clinical negligence claims.
He is brilliant.
David is very efficient and straightforward to work with. His written work is of an excellent standard.
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 professional, knowledgeable and pleasant - three very important traits when dealing with complex and sensitive matters.
He tackles complex cases with ease and is thorough but pragmatic in his investigation of cases. He has an excellent understanding of not only the law, but medicine too.
He is exceptionally knowledgeable, and passionate about achieving results for clients. He is extremely hard-working and gives clear guidance.
I have been really impressed by him. He is diligent, and he appreciates subtleties and will bring issues to the table. He is totally on top of everything.
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 a pleasure to work with. He is willing to engage with agents and works well as part of the team. He has good experience in clinical negligence work.
He does an extremely good job. He is personable and easy to work with, and he is analytical and perceptive.
Bruce is an excellent junior who is very experienced with clinical negligence disputes.
He is very thorough and organised in what he does, and he is good with clients.
Yvonne Waugh KC 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 a very thorough advocate. She is experienced in complex clinical negligence issues and very good with clients.
She has excellent client skills and is always willing to go the extra mile.
She has a massive amount of clinical negligence expertise. She tackles the complexity with ease.
She is calm, measured and expert.
Yvonne would be my go-to counsel in a complex clinical negligence claim. She is excellent with clients and very personable.
