Medical negligence and medical regulatory. Inquests.
Before coming to the Bar, Fiona practised for nine years as a solicitor in Scotland, advising in all aspects of medical and regulatory law. She initially acted for claimants and latterly for defendants through the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland. Since coming to the Bar, she has continued to develop her interest in medical law, representing both claimants and defendants. As a member of the Attorney General’s C Panel, she has represented the Ministry of Defence in relation to claims brought by former soldiers for alleged psychiatric negligence, following exposure to trauma in combat. She has also advised the Ministry of Justice on claims arising from prison healthcare. Fiona also regularly acts for the families of those who have died in custody, both at inquests and ensuing judicial reviews. She appeared as the appellant’s junior counsel before the Court of Appeal in (R (on the application of P) v HM Coroner for the District of Avon [2009] Civ 1367). Her advocacy has extended into the regulatory forum. She appears regularly before the GMC, GDC, NMC and HPC. Fiona recently appeared as junior counsel for the appellant in the first appeal from the GMC to the Northern Irish High Court (Casey v GMC [2011] NIQB 95). Fiona is also a CEDR accredited mediator who has mediated a wide variety of disputes both as a lead and assistant mediator.
Called 2003; Middle Temple Inn. Solicitor (litigation) Scotland, 1994-2003. CEDR (research assistant), May-September 2003. Pupillage, 2003-04. Tenancy 2004 to date.
Spanish (conversational).
APIL, AVMA, Justis.
Westbourne School for Girls. Edinburgh University (LLB; LDip).