"Gavin is thorough, knowledgeable and approachable, with strong negotiation skills." - Legal 500 UK Bar 2023
"Gavin has a great legal mind." "He is able to communicate complex legal matters in a straightforward way." "He is always well prepared." - Chambers UK 2023
Gavin called to the Bar in 2009 after 14 years as a Solicitor. He specialises in personal injury and clinical negligence cases.
He has been instructed in many fatal cases including acting for many of the families of the victims of the Super Puma helicopter crash in The North Sea in 2009 and the jury awards appeal case in 2012 (Hamilton/ Thomson). His other areas include offshore accidents, foreign accident claims, spinal and head injury claims, as well as work related claims and RTA's.
Hamilton v Ferguson Transport (Spean Bridge) Ltd; Thomson v Dennis Thomson Builders Ltd 2012 S.C. 486; 2012 S.L.T. 715; 2012 S.C.L.R. 707; 2012 Rep. L.R. 79
A landmark case on whether awards in fatal cases were excessive that changed the procedure for jury trials so that guidance now given to juries as to the potential range of awards.
Wylie v Omniasig SA 2013 SLT 46
Road traffic accident in Romania - on the issue of the applicability of law - whether Romanian or Scots law - and the assessment of damages under Romanian law.
Paterson v Paterson 2013 Rep. L.R. 13
Pursuer with a severe ankle injury continued in pre accident employment. Loss of employability - the basis for such awards considered in detail by Lord Woolman. Services awarded for (the first time) to the pursuer's girlfriend even though not living together at the time of the accident.
Jackson v Murray 2013 SLT 153
Appeal against finding of 90% contributory negligence in a pedestrian road traffic accident involving a 13 year old schoolgirl with multiple injuries. Overturned decision - finding was too high and substituted a figure of 70%.
Winn-Pope v CKD Galbraith LLP 2012 SLT 929; 2012 Rep. L.R. 126
Fall from a roof involving the Work at Height Regulations and the issue of control.
