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Areas of expertise

Professional information

 

  • 2022 to date: Chair, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland Disciplinary and Appeals Panel
  • 2022 to date: Ad Hoc Advocate Depute
  • 2018 to 2022: Standing Junior Counsel to the UK Government
  • 2009: Year of Call
  • 2008 – 2009: Lord Reid Scholarship
  • Devilmasters: Alastair Duncan QC and Ronnie Renucci QC
Professional experience

Helen specialises in professional negligence, commercial litigation and inquiry work. She is extensively instructed in the defence of claims against medical, legal and construction and engineering professionals. She is regularly instructed in Public and Fatal Accident Inquiries. She also acts for professionals in a wide range of regulatory proceedings. As Standing Junior Counsel to the UK Government she acted on behalf of various government departments including the Department of Health, the Air Accident Investigation Branch, and HMRC.

Notable cases

Clinical Liability Helen is instructed in numerous high value and complex clinical negligence claims. The vast majority of these cases are the subject of confidential negotiated settlements. Examples of recent work include:

  • Widdowson’s Executrix v Liberty Insurance, Grampian Health Board and Highland Health Board 2021 SLT 539
  • Almond Roots v Eljamel and NHS Tayside [2021] CSOH 130
  • Acting for a health board in a multimillion-pound claim about catastrophic hypoxic brain injury caused by in-hospital cardiac arrest
  • Acting on behalf of a GP practice in a multimillion-pound claim about delayed diagnosis of brain tumour leading to brain injury
  • Acting on behalf of a health board in an obstetric claim arising from maternal death as a result of aortic dissection
  • Acting on behalf of a health board in a fatal obstetric claim arising from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

Inquiries

  • Scottish COVID Inquiry.  Counsel to the Inquiry from February 2022 to September 2022
  • Hospitals Inquiry, 2022 to date. Acting on behalf of three infection control doctors employed by NHS Glasgow
  • Sumburgh Helicopter Crash Fatal Accident Inquiry. Representing the Air Accident Investigation Branch of the UK Government
  • Clutha Bar Helicopter Crash Fatal Accident Inquiry. Representing the Air Accident Investigation Branch of the UK Government
  • Glasgow George Square Bin Lorry crash Fatal Accident Inquiry. Representing Dr Kenneth Lyons
  • Rosepark Nursing Home Fire Fatal Accident Inquiry. Representing the Crown

Professional Liability and RegulationExamples of recent work include:

  • David Grier v Chief Constable of Police Scotland and the Lord Advocate [2022] CSOH 2
  • David Whitehouse v Chief Constable of Police Scotland and the Lord Advocate 2020 SC 133

Product Liability

  • Instructed by a manufacturer in the Mesh litigation.
  • Instructed by a manufacturer in the vehicle emissions litigation.

Commercial

  • Ury Estate v BP Exploration Operating Co Ltd [2019] CSOH 36
Directories

Chambers UK Bar 2025 – Ranked for Professional Negligence, Clinical Negligence, and Public and Fatal Accident Inquiries

Quotes –

Professional Negligence

“Helen has a steel trap mind. She gives concise advice and carries respect.”

“Helen is a leader in this area.”

Public and Fatal Accident Inquiries

“Helen is approachable and organised. When she is instructed, you know that you will get high-quality advice and that complex cases will be handled with skill and care.”

Clinical Negligence

“Helen gives good written advice. She is always very clear, very personable and somebody I would recommend for clinical negligence matters.”

“Helen is approachable and organised. When Helen is instructed you know that you will get high-quality advice, and complex cases are handled with skill and care.”

“Helen’s attention to detail is impressive and helps navigate difficult cases with ease.”

“Helen has a really acute attention to detail and gives sound legal advice.”

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