Vikki Watt

Practice Areas

Vikki heads BTO’s top tier Health & Safety, Regulatory and Criminal defence practice. She is a Solicitor Advocate specialising in the defence of health and safety, environmental and white collar criminal prosecutions. With two decades at the top of her field, she is recognized for her accomplished advocacy skills by both clients and professional colleagues alike and combines a sharp analytical mind and empathetic approach. She acts for a number of high-profile Insurers, as well as individuals, SMEs and multinational companies.

Instructed regularly at the outset when a major incident or fatality occurs, Vikki has a wealth of experience in advising clients at all stages, ranging from strategic advice in the immediate aftermath of a serious incident to representation at interviews under caution and the conduct of Tribunals, Trials, Fatal Accident and Public Inquiries. This includes providing crisis management and reputational advice at all stages.

Vikki is the ‘go to’ Panel solicitor for a number of insurers, LAs, charities and construction companies in health and safety matters and regularly receives referral work from market leaders both north and south of the border.

Vikki's non-contentious work also sees her heavily involved in training for other lawyers and clients. She is a regular presenter on all aspects of health and safety law to bodies such as the MGAA, the Solicitors’ Group, Lloyds of London and provides bespoke training to her private clients.

Career

Trainee at BTO Solicitors LLP, Senior Solicitor, Associate (2002 – 2011), Partner BTO (2011 - Present)

Professional Memberships

Law Society of Scotland; Society of Solicitor Advocates; Health and Safety Lawyers’ Association; Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers, Medico-Legal Society, FOIL

Personal

Enjoys open water swimming, music and travel.

Clients

• Larchwood Healthcare (North) Limited

• Akela Construction Limited

• McTaggart & Mickel Homes

• Fabricon Gas Ltd

• Dales Marine Ltd

• Cromarty Firth Services Ltd

• Argyll and Bute Council Ltd

• Historic Environment Scotland Ltd

• Broomhall Ltd

• AIG UK Limited

• NFU Mutual Insurance Society Limited

• CHUBB European Group Limited

• Tokio Marine

• Axis Capital

Work Highlights

• Successfully defending a charge of culpable homicide in a landmark case against an individual;

• Acting for individuals facing Section 37 prosecutions as sole directors at risk of losing liberty;

• Acting for local authorities in a number of significant cases including an enforcement notice appeal;

• Acting for a global facilities management company in an ongoing fatality;

• Instructed in a multinational fraud investigation in the oil and gas sector;

• The go-to solicitor of choice for regulatory matters in Scotland for top tier English firms;

Languages Spoken

English and French

Education

Industry Sector Expertise

Vikki advises clients in all sectors including: sport, agriculture, retail, food and drink, residential care, care homes, transport, manufacturing, utilities, oil and gas, housing, construction, charities, local authorities.