Gemma Scott > Chambers of William Audland KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Gemma Scott

020 7583 0811 scott@12kbw.co.uk View profile

Work Department

Personal injury.

Position

Gemma specialises in personal injury work. She is particularly experienced in catastrophic injury cases and in claims for asbestos-related disease. She is routinely instructed in her own right, but also acts regularly as a junior in high-value claims.

Interesting cases:

Concept 70 Ltd & others v Cape Intermediate Holdings plc: Instructed alongside Michael Rawlinson Q.C. and Charles Béar Q.C. in a major product liability group action. Insurers sought a contribution to settled claims from the manufactures of asbestos products. The claim involved complex liability issues, specifically the assessment of the relative culpability and the interplay of liabilities between the employers of those working with Asbestolux boards, Cape as the manufacturer/supplier and Cape’s subsidiary companies. The 6-week trial was heard by Picken J. The matter settled for a considerable sum before judgment was handed down.

AK (by her Litigation Friend, LK) v SK: Instructed by the Claimant as junior Counsel to John Kimbell Q.C. The Claimant was 15 years old when she was involved in a road traffic accident in France. She suffered life-threatening head and spinal injuries. Before the accident, the Claimant’s intellect was in the superior range. Despite sustaining a very severe brain injury and suffering profound neurological disabilities, it remains in that elevated range. However, the Claimant is unable to produce effective speech as she developed severe dysphasia and dysarthria. Her mobility is also seriously compromised; she is unable to walk functionally and is largely wheelchair-bound. The case involves interesting issues of applicable law and the measure of damages in France and England. It is ongoing.

NC (by her Litigation Friend, DC) v DC: Instructed for the Claimant with Robert Weir Q.C. The Claimant suffered an extremely severe brain injury when she was just 6 years old and has been left with devastating injuries. She sustained a significant degree of cognitive impairment and is unlikely to ever achieve functional speech or mobility. The case is ongoing.

Bussey v Anglia Heating: Junior to Michael Rawlinson Q.C. for the Claimant. The Claimant sought to challenge the application of Williams v University of Birmingham in low-exposure mesothelioma claims arising out of employment. The trial judge held that he was bound by Williams and found against the Claimant on the basis that asbestos exposure fell below contemporary hygiene limits. Permission to appeal was granted on an expedited basis. The Court of Appeal will hear the appeal in January 2018.

CIT (by her Litigation friend, DIT) v RSA Plc: Instructed with Frank Burton Q.C. for the Claimant. The Claimant suffered a catastrophic brain injury in a road traffic accident when aged 17. Her cognitive impairments were so severe that she would never be capable of remunerative employment. She also had marked physical difficulties and was predominantly wheelchair-dependent. She needed extensive ongoing care and assistance and would never be independent. The claim settled a JSM for over £3m plus periodical payments (equivalent to an overall lump sum in excess of £7m).

Career

Called 2005, Inner Temple.

Memberships

PIBA.

Education

Nunthorpe School (1993-98); Stokesley VIth form College (1998-2000); Queen’s College, Oxford (2003 MA); Nottingham Law School (GDL & BVC).

Leisure

Travel, sport.