LAWYER PROFILE
Peter Watson

Peter Watson

UK 2026

Chambers ranking badge
Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 1 practice area

Contributions and articles

1 Articles, Press releases, highlights

About

Provided by PBW Law

UK

Practice Areas

Professor Peter Watson is a specialist in Police Law having represented the Scottish Police Federation for 35 years.

Has also has a breadth of expertise and experience in handling complex litigation claims in high-profile disaster cases.

Another one of Professor Watson’s niche areas is in the media and he has advised ITN, Mirror Group Newspapers (Daily Record and Sunday Mail), SMG, Newsquest (The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times) Border television, Channel Four, Reuters, GMTV and Sky News.

Career

Since 2015 Professor Watson has led PBW Law, based in Glasgow, which has quickly become the most successful boutique operation in Scotland.

His university education began at the University of Strathclyde where he studied Economics and Psychology. He later studied Law at the University of Edinburgh, and undertook research at the Scandinavian Maritime Law Institute at Oslo University. He also studied Petroleum Law at the University of Dundee.

Professor Peter Watson was one of the first lawyers in Scotland to qualify as a Solicitor Advocate, where he also established the Society of Solicitor Advocates and was their first President.

Over the course of his career, Peter has built an internationally recognised reputation in areas such as media law, licensing, aviation, international claims, public inquiries, employment law and tax and revenue investigations. He has led teams involved in some of the biggest litigation claims in British legal history following major international disasters.

In September 2010 he was appointed as a Visiting Professor in the Law School at the University of Strathclyde and has held positions such as President of the Society of Media Lawyers, Chairman of the Association of Mediators and for 12 years he was Chairman of Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.

Currently he is President of the British Academy of Forensic Sciences (BAFS).

Professional Memberships

- Legal Network International (LNI)

- British Academy of Forensic Sciences (BAFS)

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Police Law: Mainly Defendant - UK-wide

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial
Peter Watson is well equipped to handle defendant police law matters touching on inquests, as well as civil and criminal cases. He is particularly highly regarded for his representation of the Scottish Police Federation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Peter Watson's knowledge and experience of police-related law is great.

    Police Law: Mainly DefendantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
  • Peter is very experienced.

    Police Law: Mainly DefendantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Ranked Individuals at PBW Law (2)

UK-wide

Articles, Highlights and Press Releases

1 item provided by PBW Law

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership