ROYAL EXCHANGE, PANMURE STREET, DUNDEE, DD1 1DU, SCOTLAND
- Tel:
- Work 01382 322197
- Fax:
- Fax 01382 205915
- DX:
- 26 DUNDEE
- Web:
- www.digbybrown.co.uk
- Email:
As one of the largest specialist personal injury practices in Scotland, acting mainly for claimants, this firm is known for its expertise in catastrophic brain and spinal injuries, clinical negligence, industrial disease, road traffic and work-related accidents, as well as trade union and employment issues.
The firm: Digby Brown was founded in Glasgow in 1907 and focused on working with trade unions from the outset. In the 1980s and 1990s, the firm opened offices in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glenrothes. It is established as one of the leading firms dealing with personal injury and strongly believes in providing services of the highest possible quality, using qualified solicitors throughout a claim.
The practice has litigated more than 2,000 personal injury cases in the past year, enabling it to achieve the best results for clients. Settlements won in the Sheriff Court are, on average, worth twice as much as those offered pre-litigation, while in the Court of Session they are three times higher. Clients include individuals, organisations such as the GMB Union and Keystone Legal Benefits, and the charities Spinal Injuries Scotland and Asbestos Action Tayside. Headway and the Child Brain Injury Trust recommend Digby Brown. The firm offers a complete funding and insurance package through its litigation funding company Compensate. This gives clients access to justice with no financial risk. ‘No win, no fee’ cases are handled where appropriate.
In 2010 the practice won the Scott and Co Litigation Team of the Year, as well as being shortlisted for the UK National Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Team of the Year. In 2011 Digby Brown was highly commended in the Scott & Co legal awards for Litigation Team of the Year. It received an excellent report and continued accreditation from Investors in People. Internal promotions saw Moira Kay and Darrell Kaye recruited as litigation partners.
Types of work undertaken: Spinal injury is a particular specialism and the firm also has notable experience in brain injuries, having won millions of pounds in compensation. Motorcycle injuries are handled, together with associated problems ranging from loss of earnings to care needs. In 2010 the foreign and travel law department was started, as the firm recognised the specific needs of foreign nationals either working in Scotland or sustaining injuries whilst abroad. All types of medical negligence are dealt with, notably cerebral palsy, and industrial disease experience ranges from asbestos-related conditions and occupational asthma to dermatitis and vibration white finger. The firm acts for victims of criminal assault and has obtained awards of more than £2m for some claimants. Employment services are provided for trades union members and other clients in Employment Tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the civil courts. Matters handled range from unfair dismissal, breach of contract and redundancy to discrimination claims, TUPE matters and data protection.
Cases handled in the past year include a £7.5m clinical negligence case, a £3m landmark case for negligence resulting from an incident involving a bouncy castle and many others that were settled for substantial million-pound sums.
Digby Brown will maintain its policy of expansion in coming years, focusing on increasing specialist expertise in the interests of achieving the best results for its clients.
Other offices: Dundee, Glasgow, Glenrothes
Number of UK partners 17
Number of other UK fee-earners 83
Above material supplied by Digby Brown LLP.