BTO Solicitors LLP

BTO Solicitors LLP

bto.co.uk

Member of Mackrell International

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Scotland

BTO Solicitors LLP - Health & Safety

Vikki Watt

Vikki Watt

Partner and Solicitor-Advocate 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.

Deals

  • Securing an acquittal of a charge of culpable homicide following a landmark two week health and safety trial.
  • Acting for Larchwood Care Homes North Ltd during high profile Fatal Accident Inquiry concerning death of resident.
  • Acting for individual Directors facing charges personally under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
  • Acting for a local authority in an Appeal against an Enforcement Notice.
  • Avoiding prosecution in several cases due to careful advice and representation of companies, partnerships and individuals.

Team Services

Our Health & Safety team continues to lead the way as a driving force in the Scottish market - the largest independent team operating throughout Scotland exclusively dedicated to the defence of Health & Safety prosecutions. A “market leader”, we are proud to be the only team in Scotland ranked Band 1 for both Crime and Health & Safety.

With Solicitor Advocates (criminal and civil) and a former Procurator Fiscal, we provide unparalleled expertise and guide clients through every stage of Regulatory investigations, including setting up privileged internal accident investigations, managing relations with Regulators from the outset and appearing in Court in trials, Fatal Accident and Public Inquiries.

We provide countrywide coverage and have exceptional lawyers at every level providing a first-class service to suit client expectations and means.

It is our privilege to act for clients during the worst of times; navigating them through what can be a time of upheaval, fraught with commercial risk and financial uncertainty. By engaging the best experts, we ensure the highest service levels are met in each case.

Client testimonials

Client 1

The support given was first class.

Client 2 - for Vikki Watt

She's exceptionally good and experienced. She's very good with post-incident management of cases.

Client 3 - for Vikki Watt

She deals with prosecutions and she's brilliant at it. She's very good at fact finding and identifying what needs to be done.

Client 4 - for Lindsay MacNeil

Lindsay provided support to the team, giving advice, leading discussions, and directing the participants. Lindsay has a lovely down to earth manner where she gets rapport quickly and operates her conversation at the desired level.

L500 | BTO Solicitors LLP > Scotland | Legal 500 law firm profiles | BTO Solicitors LLP - Health & Safety