BTO Solicitors LLP is recommended for its deep knowledge of fatal claims brought against GPs, particularly in relation to delayed diagnoses and informed consent. Practice head Jill Harris works out of the Edinburgh office and is noted for representing medical professionals before regulators, in addition to appearing before the Sheriff Courts and the Court of Session. Laura Donald utilises her longstanding experience and ‘unrivalled expertise’ to represent members of MDDUS, MPS, and MDU, and Glasgow’s Claire White is a key name for claims concerning prescription and dispensing errors, often acting for pharmacies and general practitioners.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Laura Donald is a class act - knows everything, unflappable, incredibly responsive, a pleasure to work with.’
- 'Jill Harris is excellent and very approachable.'
- 'I consider the people the unique selling point.'
- 'Jill Harris is one of the most approachable lawyers in this sector. She places clients at ease, even when facing extremely serious allegations. She gets on with counsel and has an excellent manner with clients, as well as excellent judgement.'
- 'The team is well led by Jill Harris and Laura Donald who both have significant expertise and who have been a joy to deal with. They are both proactive, understand the issues, and know how to achieve a successful outcome. I have nothing but praise for the team.'
- 'The area of work requires a high degree of knowledge and expertise which the team has in abundance. There are not many firms in Scotland who have such expertise which enables them to be highly proactive in addressing sometimes highly complex issues.'
- ‘Careful analysis of the specifics of each case, with excellent knowledge of relevant legal cases and arguments.’
- ‘I think Laura Donald of BTO has unrivalled expertise in the Scottish healthcare law landscape. She has been in every major case or inquiry of the past 20+ years. She also has a great team around her, many of whom have also developed very significant expertise.'
- ‘Jill Harris has excellent judgement. If I were a doctor facing a negligence claim, I would want to be represented by Jill. Jennifer King is robust and fights her clients' corner to the last.’
- ‘The team has an excellent reputation in the clinical negligence sphere and works for all the major indemnity organisations. The lawyers provide a full service for medical professionals, including both negligence claims and professional disciplinary actions.’
Key clients
- The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland
- The Medical Defence Union Limited
- Medical Protection Society
Work highlights
Instructed to act as advocate for the College of Paramedics in the Scottish Covid Inquiry.
Instructed by MDDUS to represent the corporate interests of MDDUS, as well as many of its members, before the UK Infected Blood Inquiry which reported in May 2024.
Instructed to act for a mechanical and engineering firm involved in the design of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Hospitals in the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Jill Harris
Other key lawyers
Laura Donald; Claire White; Jennifer King