Vikki Watt

Practice Areas

Vikki has specialised in the defence of health and safety prosecutions for 20 years. A true leading light in her industry, she has been recommended and highly ranked in independent legal directories for the past 15 years.

A qualified Solicitor Advocate, who leads BTO’s Health & Safety team, Vikki is described by clients as a “tremendously able lawyer” who is “very impressive” and “really switched on”. She also leads the firm’s award winning Criminal Defence team (voted Crime Firm of Year 2023 by The Legal 500).

As the first-choice health and safety Scottish lawyer for many Scottish businesses and English Firms, for their clients, Vikki’s standing and reputation for client service in the aftermath of an incident extends from immediate advice, assistance and representation at time of crisis, to strategic advice in handling large-scale Investigations to representing clients in Court. She has almost two decades of experience representing clients in summary and solemn proceedings, Fatal Accident Inquiries, Public Inquiries and investigations by SEPA, MAC, AAIB.

Although a formidable advocate for her clients, her empathy, dedication and commercial realism in times of crisis are her hallmarks.

She is also highly regarded by key stakeholders HSE and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Career

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

Professional Memberships

Chair of BTO’s Compliance and Risk Committee;

Member of the Health & Safety Lawyers Association (HSLA);

Member of the Association of Regulatory and Defence Solicitors

Personal

Enjoys open water swimming, music and travel.

Experience

-Successful defence of client charged with culpable homicide in relation to a health and safety incident.

-Instructed for duty holder in Scotland’s largest marine incident.

-Acts for several multi-national organisations as Solicitor of Choice for Health & Safety matters.

-Acted for a Theme Park in prosecution arising from catastrophic incident