Medical negligence: defender

Jill Harris

Senior Associate Jill is a Senior Associate in BTO’s clinical defence team which is ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK. Legal 500 identifies Jill as a rising star in the “medical negligence: defender” category. Jill represents doctors and dentists in proceedings brought before their professional regulators, the General Medical Council and the General Dental Council. She has also presented cases on behalf of professional regulators in proceedings brought against teachers and actuaries. Jill also represents clinicians in civil claims involving allegations of medical negligence in the sheriff court and in the Court of Session. She has assisted in Fatal Accident Inquiries and was involved in defending doctors in two long running public inquiries.   Jill has completed two secondments to the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland’s legal department.

Laura Donald

Partner and Solicitor Advocate Laura is a highly experienced solicitor advocate who has worked in the field of clinical negligence for over 20 years. Since 2009, she has practised exclusively in the healthcare field, representing medical and dental members of all three medical defence organisations: (MDDUS, MPS (including DP) and MDU (including DDU). Her caseload is divided between clinical negligence, handling a caseload across both the Court of Session and Sheriff Courts, and professional discipline. She has been highly ranked for a number of years and continues to operate at the highest levels within her field, regularly carrying out her own advocacy in the courts in respect of Fatal Accident Inquiries, Public Inquiries and claims. Laura has great experience before the General Medical Council and the General Dental Council and is increasingly being instructed in relation to other professions, generally conducting the interim stages without counsel. She has also represented students before University fitness to practise and disciplinary hearings. Laura is applauded for her dynamic preparation and is considered “a force to be reckoned with”. She enjoys working with her clients to ensure the best outcomes for them. A “formidable opponent”, her empathy, tenacity, focus and efficiency are second to none and continue to make her a sought-after lawyer in the clinical defence sphere.

Duncan Mawby

Consultant