Practice Areas
Paul is a Partner and Solicitor Advocate in BTO's Commercial Dispute Resolution team.
He is one of the most experienced dispute resolution solicitors practising in Scotland, with over 40 years of experience and he has been a Solicitor Advocate for 27 years, appearing regularly in court against senior and junior counsel.
He oversees a team with broad sector specialisms including media, retail and technology.
The vast range of litigation Paul has handled during his long career includes judicial reviews, two international arbitrations, together with related Court of Session appeals, many complex and high value company and shareholder disputes, sometimes involving multiple jurisdictions, and emergency litigation, including interdict (injunction) applications as well as “Dawn Raids”.
Paul is also recognised in Scotland as a leading practitioner in data protection, social media and reputational law. He has litigated many such cases. He has contributed comment to the media on these topics and has also engaged with Facebook, X, TripAdvisor and US news websites in relation to reputational matters.
Paul has a special interest in creative industries (music and film) law/contracts and advises on artist management contracts, production and recording contracts, copyright licensing and intellectual property matters. This includes claims for royalties and unauthorised derivative works. He has advised book authors and poets, as well as the music industry.
Accreditations:
Accredited Specialist in Data Protection & FOI Law – The Law Society of Scotland;
Qualified Solicitor Advocate (Civil)
Career
Partner, BTO Solicitors LLP (2006 - present); Partner, Ledingham Chalmers (1999 – 2006); Solicitor, Fyfe Ireland WS (1995-1999); Solicitor, Steedman Ramage WS (1994-1995); Solicitor, Bell Gully, Auckland NZ, (1990 – 1993), Solicitor, Dundas & Wilson CS (1986 – 1990), Solicitor Allan McDougall & Co (1984 – 1986), Trainee, Shepherd & Wedderburn WS (1982 – 1984).
Professional Memberships
Convener of the Law Society of Scotland’s Advanced Civil Advocacy Training Courses;
Director and Board Chairman of RGDP LLP, which provides outsourced Data Protection Officer services.
Personal
Ran his first marathon 2019, plays in a band, DIY, travel; Scottish Region representative of ‘XH558 Vulcan to the Sky' aircraft project 2011 - 2016.
Experience
- Running an £85million commercial action in the Court of Session.
- Wide experience of defamation and reputational cases.
- Has litigated many data protection claims, both compensation and ICO enforcement action.
