PDFAreas of expertise
Professional information
- 2022 to date: Chair, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland Disciplinary and Appeals Panel
- 2022 to date: Ad Hoc Advocate Depute
- 2018 to 2022: Standing Junior Counsel to the UK Government
- 2009: Year of Call
- 2008 – 2009: Lord Reid Scholarship
- Devilmasters: Alastair Duncan QC and Ronnie Renucci QC
Helen specialises in professional negligence, commercial litigation and inquiry work. She is extensively instructed in the defence of claims against medical, legal and construction and engineering professionals. She is regularly instructed in Public and Fatal Accident Inquiries. She also acts for professionals in a wide range of regulatory proceedings. As Standing Junior Counsel to the UK Government she acted on behalf of various government departments including the Department of Health, the Air Accident Investigation Branch, and HMRC.
Clinical Liability
Helen is instructed in numerous high value and complex clinical negligence claims. The vast majority of these cases are the subject of confidential negotiated settlements. Examples of recent work include:
- Widdowson’s Executrix v Liberty Insurance, Grampian Health Board and Highland Health Board 2021 SLT 539
- Almond Roots v Eljamel and NHS Tayside [2021] CSOH 130
- Acting for a health board in a multimillion-pound claim about catastrophic hypoxic brain injury caused by in-hospital cardiac arrest
- Acting on behalf of a GP practice in a multimillion-pound claim about delayed diagnosis of brain tumour leading to brain injury
- Acting on behalf of a health board in an obstetric claim arising from maternal death as a result of aortic dissection
- Acting on behalf of a health board in a fatal obstetric claim arising from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
Inquiries
- Scottish COVID Inquiry. Counsel to the Inquiry from February 2022 to September 2022
- Scottish Hospitals Inquiry. Acting on behalf of three infection control doctors employed by NHS Glasgow from 2022 to date
- Sumburgh Helicopter Crash Fatal Accident Inquiry. Representing the Air Accident Investigation Branch of the UK Government
- Clutha Bar Helicopter Crash Fatal Accident Inquiry. Representing the Air Accident Investigation Branch of the UK Government
- Glasgow George Square Bin Lorry crash Fatal Accident Inquiry. Representing Dr Kenneth Lyons
- Rosepark Nursing Home Fire Fatal Accident Inquiry. Representing the Crown
Professional Liability and Regulation Examples of recent work include:
- David Grier v Chief Constable of Police Scotland and the Lord Advocate [2022] CSOH 2
- David Whitehouse v Chief Constable of Police Scotland and the Lord Advocate 2020 SC 133
Product Liability
- Instructed by a manufacturer in the Mesh litigation.
- Instructed by a manufacturer in the vehicle emissions litigation.
Commercial
- Ury Estate v BP Exploration Operating Co Ltd [2019] CSOH 36
Chambers UK Bar 2026 – Ranked for Public and Fatal Accident Inquiries, Professional Negligence and Clinical Negligence.
Quotes –
Public and Fatal Accident Inquiries (Band One)
“Helen is approachable and organised. When she is instructed, you know that you will get high-quality advice and that complex cases will be handled with skill and care.”
Professional Negligence
“Helen is responsive, accurate and reliable.”
“Helen is a real star, she is incredibly responsive, and is good with clients in challenging situations.”
Clinical Negligence
“She has extensive clinical knowledge which she brings to each case. Her written and court skills are excellent and she is very approachable. She also communicates well with clients and witnesses.”
“Helen has a high standard of work ethic. Her advice is always logical and practical.”
“She is so easy to work with and her advocacy is excellent. She is good with emotional clients and she is empathetic to everyone involved in a case. Her written and oral advice is always very clear.”
“Her attention to detail in very complex matters, while keeping a clear strategic overview, is excellent. She is approachable, responsive, personable and great with clients.”