Weightmans LLP > Glasgow, > Firm Profile
Weightmans LLP Offices
The Hub
144 West George Street
GLASGOW
G2 2HG
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Weightmans LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
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
Other key lawyers:
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 LLP > Firm Profile
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
Main Contacts
Department | Name | 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 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Carolyn Bowie | Carolyn is a key member of the firm’s business immigration team. She… | View Profile | |
Seonaid Busby | Seonaid is a partner and solicitor advocate with extended rights of audience… | View Profile | |
Noel Ferry | Noel is a solicitor advocate based in our Glasgow office specialising in… | View Profile | |
Nicola Gonnella | Nicola is a partner in our corporate and commercial team, based in… | View Profile | |
Steven Harte | Steven is an experienced employment law specialist. He provides advice on all… | View Profile | |
Ingrid McGhee | Ingrid is a key member of the firm’s business immigration practice.… | View Profile | |
Pamela Stevenson | Pamela joined Weightmans in Glasgow in September 2014 as an Insurance Partner.… | View Profile | |
Zoe Strong | Zoe joined Weightmans in 2006 as a newly qualified solicitor. Zoe is… | View Profile | |
Andrew Warren | Andrew specialises in commercial real estate transactions across a range of… | View Profile |