Weightmans LLP > Glasgow, > Firm Profile

Weightmans LLP
The Hub
144 West George Street
GLASGOW
G2 2HG

Scotland > Insurance > Personal injury: defender Tier 4

Jointly led by Pamela Stevenson and Seonaid Busby, Weightmans LLP‘s insurance department operates across the whole spectrum of personal injury claims, including those related to disease, abuse and catastrophic injuries. Described by clients as ‘dedicated, skilled and highly organised’, Stevenson has over 20 years’ experience in the insurance field and is especially recommended for disease claims.

Practice head(s):

Pamela Stevenson; Seonaid Busby

Testimonials

‘Weightmans is particularly strong in understanding the needs of their insurance clients.’

‘They have the scale of a UK law firm but a distinct local presence in Glasgow. They are thus well placed to understand their clients’ litigation needs.’

‘Pamela Stevenson is exceptional. She is dedicated, skilled and highly organised and motivated. She is also brilliant at nurturing the talent of the more junior solicitors in her team.’

Key clients

Zurich Insurance

Markerstudy

First Central Insurance

AIG Europe

Sabre Insurance

Hiscox

Hastings Insurance

First Underwriting

AXA XL

BAI

Work highlights

  • Advising AIG Europe Limited in a pleural plaques action that has been raised in the All-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court.
  • Advising Zurich Insurance and a charity organisation in a human rights action in the Forfar Sheriff Court.
  • Representing Municipal Mutual Insurance Plc in a Court of Session fatal mesothelioma action.

Scotland > Private client > Family Tier 4

The family law practice at Weightmans LLP, based in Glasgow, has particular experience in nuptial arrangements, assets and cohabitation issues. The team is led by 'diligent, thorough and dedicated' solicitor advocate Noel Ferry, whose broad practice covers divorces, cohabitation claims and child relocation cases. Principal associate Dawn Finlayson is an accredited child law expert with particular expertise in alternative dispute resolution. In June 2023, the practice was boosted by the arrival of a team from Clyde & Co, led by Caroline Gillespie, a ‘fierce negotiator’, who handles complex financial provision cases as well as international child relocation matters, alongside associate Alison Dewar, who is noted for her ADR capabilities.

Practice head(s):

Noel Ferry

Testimonials

‘All team members are committed and exceptionally good. They have a real understanding of the processes and law, and genuine empathy with clients.’

‘Noel Ferry is a solicitor advocate and has depth of knowledge, experience and professionalism, which are second to none. He is very personable and able to explain issues and complex legal matters in a straightforward, understandable way. He is supported by a fantastic team. All wish the best outcome and to support clients in whatever way they individually require.’

‘Noel Ferry is diligent, thorough and dedicated to achieving the best possible result for his client. Noel is a tactical thinker.’

‘Caroline Gillespie was excellent!’

‘Caroline Gillespie and Alison Dewar are straightforward, pragmatic and willing to think outside the box to achieve for their clients. Caroline will fiercely represent her clients, but remains approachable and her attention to detail is second to none. Alison provides expert, no-nonsense advice whilst remaining empathetic to her client’s particular situations.’

‘Caroline Gillespie is an extremely experienced and capable litigator. Alison Dewar is a rising star.’

‘Caroline Gillespie has a huge amount of experience and is sensible in negotiation and correspondence. She thinks out of the box and is creative in trying to work out solutions. Caroline is a very able litigator and is an excellent advocate for her client in the courtroom. Alison Dewar is also very experienced and brings both litigation and alternative dispute resolution methods to full use to settle cases in the best interests of her clients.’

‘Caroline Gillespie presents her cases in a robust manner. She is a fierce negotiator and knows her cases with impeccable detail.’

Work highlights

Scotland > Real estate > Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow Tier 4

Scotland > Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Edinburgh and Glasgow Tier 5

Working closely with offices located throughout the UK, the corporate and commercial team at Weightmans LLP services a broad range of clients including quoted and private companies, public sector organisations, start-ups, and investment funds. Claire McCracken and Nicola Gonnella head the team from Glasgow, which is primarily known for M&A work for SMEs and owner managed businesses, as well as a strong presence in the healthcare sector.

Practice head(s):

Claire McCracken; Nicola Gonnella

Testimonials

‘The team are very easy to deal with, from the support staff through to the partners, they have a can-do attitude, which helps in managing the complexity of deals.’

‘Claire McCracken is extremely impressive with how she handles transactions.’

‘They get up to speed extremely quickly, have solid knowledge of their craft and a pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to getting things over the line on time and in good shape.’

‘We always feel like a really valued client, and they tailor their approach to meet my particular work/communication styles.’

‘Their commercial/pragmatic approach is exactly what our business needs.’

‘They combine a friendly, personal approach with solid legal advice taking into account pragmatic commercial concerns.’

‘It very much feels like we are all on the same team.’

‘I have been extremely impressed with how the team have handled our recent transactions.’

Key clients

Open University

Apadmi Limited

Mercarto Limited and Mercarto Enterprise

NHS

BJSS

Studio Messa PTY Limited

Westlab Limited

International Medical Press Limited

Chiesi Ltd

PIB Insurance Brokers

Archers Toolbox

Street Systems Limited

Surrey & Sussex Police

British Transport Police

Metropolitan Police

Luxfer Mel Technologies

Valiant Sport Horses

Nucleus Holdings Limited

ExposePro Limited

Rutland County Council

University of Newcastle

British Swimming

Real Life Options

McGill’s Bus Services Limited

Environmental Air Conditioning (Scotland) Limited

National Autograss Sports Association Limited

Mearns After School Care Service Limited

Simian Risk Management Limited

SB Drug Discovery Limited

Hold Fast Entertainment Limited

Greenlight Digital Limited

MethaMeasure Limited

Axius Homes Limited

Magell Limited

Higgs & Co Solicitors

Twinflower Limited

Photonic Solutions Limited

Awaze Vacation Rentals Limited

Let The Wood Times Roll

TAC Holding Limited

Dentex Healthcare Group Limited

FGHJ Limited

Work highlights

  • Instructed on 18 dental practice acquisitions by Dentex Healthcare Limited. The acquisitions are of both private and NHS dental practices, which involve a different approach due to the key differences between NHS practices in Scotland and England and other regulatory differences.
  • Instructed by Photonic Solutions Limited to act on the employee buyout of equity funder Panoramic Growth Equity and the financing of the Group with Beechbrook Capital.
  • Acting as sole legal adviser for the acquisitive TAC Holding (through its brand House of Hearing) as they continue their buy and build strategy in Scotland and England.

Weightmans is an award-winning UK law firm, employing more than 1,200 people. The firm has grown rapidly because of its focus on two key aspects of its business: its clients and its people.

The firm: Weightmans’ people are determined to achieve the best result for their clients. The firm monitors results to provide value that can be measured – ensuring clients come back time and time again and that it is their preferred choice of legal service provider. As such the firm recognises the importance of its people enjoying what they do. That’s why it is committed to creating a friendly and inspiring working environment.

Types of work undertaken: The firm’s practice is structured into six key segments: built environment, corporates, insurance, owner managed businesses (OMB), private client and public bodies.

In brief, the firm offers a formidable reputation and heritage in insurance in which it is a leading national player; a substantial and diverse range of commercial services for public sector bodies, large institutions, owner-managed businesses and plcs; an impressive reputation in the public sector market, acting for many local, police and fire authorities and a range of NHS trusts, and a full family and private client service, including wills, tax, probate and residential conveyancing.

Weightmans is a national firm with international reach, with an extensive informal network of law firms in most foreign jurisdictions courtesy of its membership of Insurance Law Global (ILG) and Legalink.

Clients: the firm’s clients include insurance companies, public sector organisations, UK plcs, multinational companies, education establishments, private individuals, SMEs and owner managed businesses.

Other offices: Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester

Department Name Email Telephone
Managing partner John Schorah
Senior partner David Lewis
Built environment Karl Jackson
Corporates Tim Lang
Insurance Rob Williams
OMB Paul Raftery
Private client Carole Atkinson
Public bodies Martin Forshaw
Photo Name Position Profile
Carolyn Bowie photo Carolyn Bowie Carolyn is a key member of the firm’s business immigration team. She…
Seonaid Busby photo Seonaid Busby Seonaid is a partner and solicitor advocate with extended rights of audience…
Noel Ferry photo Noel Ferry Noel is a solicitor advocate based in our Glasgow office specialising in…
Nicola Gonnella photo Nicola Gonnella Nicola is a partner in our corporate and commercial team, based in…
Steven Harte photo Steven Harte Steven is an experienced employment law specialist. He provides advice on all…
Ingrid McGhee photo Ingrid McGhee    Ingrid is a key member of the firm’s business immigration practice.…
Pamela Stevenson photo Pamela Stevenson Pamela joined Weightmans in Glasgow in September 2014 as an Insurance Partner.…
Zoe Strong photo Zoe Strong Zoe joined Weightmans in 2006 as a newly qualified solicitor. Zoe is…
Andrew Warren photo Andrew Warren    Andrew specialises in commercial real estate transactions across a range of…
Number of UK partners : 197
Number of other UK fee-earners : 633