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The implications of a conviction for health and safety breaches can be wide-ranging, both in terms of financial exposure and reputational damage.

Swift, decisive and pragmatic legal advice at the outset is crucial to managing your potential exposure to enforcement action by investigatory authorities. Early specialist intervention can avoid or limit business interruption, avoid the service of Enforcement Notices (Improvement and Prohibition) or Fees for Intervention and prevent reputational damage. BTO will also support you in rectifying any compliance gaps identified to help prevent further incidents and restore public and private confidence in your organisation.

From day-to-day compliance, to immediate on-site support and representation for critical incidents and investigation by Regulators such as Police Scotland, HSE, SEPA or Local Authorities or the Traffic Commissioner, our specialist Health & Safety lawyers are calm, meticulous and excellent communicators ensuring that you are informed and in control every step of the way.

Our team is a unique force in the Scottish market as we are the largest independent and dedicated health and safety team operating in Scotland, with four Solicitor Advocates with rights of audience in the highest Courts and 100% specialism in health and safety law.

In a sector where true specialism is required, we stand apart.

Tenacious and commercially astute, the team will find intelligent and pragmatic solutions to any challenges you may face. This could range from critically assessing the validity of Enforcement Notices and representing you at any Appeals, to challenging Fees for Intervention, attending interviews with Regulators and representing you in Court. We are recognised for providing unequalled advice and support to our clients who value our rapid response and excellent client care.

We also provide complete coverage of Scotland, responding with ease to urgent instructions, no matter the location.

Glasgow: +44 (0)141 221 8012 | Edinburgh: +44(0)131 222 2939 | Contact us

Our expertise

We represent businesses at Fatal accident inquiries, engaging with the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service on your behalf with the clear focus of ensuring your reputation is protected.

In the wake of a critical incident, we provide an immediate response with an on-site presence, usually within a few hours, where required. Our lawyers bring a sense of calm and authority to a stressful situation.

We direct thorough internal investigations, protected by legal privilege where possible, and carry out an early case assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities.  We also understand that you want to minimise the reputational fallout from any incident and our lawyers provide media advice and commercial support for reputational issues arising.

Our team has a particular specialism in investigations conducted by SEPA. We deploy our environmental experts to help you with any urgent incidents, or enforcement notices issued by SEPA.

We help you prepare or upgrade risk assessments so that they provide you with compliant, belt-and-braces protection. We draft policies and procedures to minimise any user error and to comply with your legal obligations to your employees and customers.

We regularly act for individuals and organisations involved in Public Inquiries.

We are by your side throughout any regulatory investigation by Police Scotland, the HSE or any other investigative or regulatory body, including the MCA and MAIB for incidents at sea. We represent you at meetings and interviews with the authority or the Procurator Fiscal, and we advise you on enforcement action such as improvement notices or prohibition notices.

If a prosecution follows an investigation, our expert lawyers will protect your interests and advise you how best to navigate the process.

Why BTO?

We are top ranked by The Legal 500, a leading independent legal directory which recognises our ability to successfully handle complex cases and our strong technical skills:

  • Team ranked Band 1 for Health & Safety by The Legal 500 UK
  • Vikki Watt ranked Leading Partner for Health & Safety by The Legal 500 UK
  • Lindsay MacNeill ranked Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500 UK
  • Vikki Watt ranked Band 1 for Health & Safety by Chambers UK
  • Lindsay MacNeill ranked Band 3 for Health & Safety by Chambers UK.
  • Ramsay Hall ranked Up and Coming for Health & Safety by Chambers UK

Our team includes one former prosecutor, a registered midwife, and a former senior electrician. Having this type of industry experience in-house means that we an additional insight into  the pressures that businesses face on the ground when incidents happen. We build trusted relationships quickly and respond with legal acumen, and insight of your industry.

Three Partners in our team are qualified Solicitor Advocates, with rights of audience in the highest Courts in Scotland. We conduct our own advocacy in court and during inquiries. We build trusted relationships from the outset. In knowing every aspect of your business and, more importantly, your commercial and individual concerns, we can represent your interests in the most effective and efficient manner.

Who we work with

  • Companies
  • Directors and Senior Officers
  • Individual employees
  • Partnerships
  • Sole Traders

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