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Heather is a specialist medical law practitioner, practicing in personal injury, clinical negligence, and coroners’ inquests.
She also practices in public law, particularly in matters regarding prisons and the secure estate.
Heather is currently instructed as junior counsel on behalf of the Scottish infected and affected core participants in the Infected Blood Inquiry, which is frequently referred to as the UK’s largest ever public inquiry. She continues to accept instructions in other matters.
Prior to joining Chambers, Heather worked for two recognised insurance law firms in London, where she was instructed in almost every conceivable type of claim that might be expected in a defendant insurance practice. Although the focus of her practice is now medical, her broad common-law experience means she continues to receive instructions in matters such as construction claims and contractual disputes.
Heather is the head of the Inquests team at 42 Bedford Row.
The majority of Heather’s coronial work involves inquests heard with juries; she is familiar with the particular issues arising in Article 2 inquests, being regularly instructed in inquests touching on deaths occurring within the secure estate. She also has experience in matters involving health and safety legislation, acting for families, companies, and local authorities.
Heather also regularly appears in non-jury inquests. She is instructed by families, NHS trusts, insurance companies and individual interested parties in inquests into, for example, road traffic accidents, care home deaths, and deaths in hospitals.
Heather is the head of the Personal Injury Team at 42 Bedford Row. She has considerable experience in acting for both Claimants and Defendants across a broad range of road traffic, public liability, and employers’ liability claims. She has a busy multi-track court and paperwork practice, and regularly advises in conference in complex personal injury matters. She is regularly instructed in claims for serious or catastrophic injuries, including those involving brain injuries resulting in a lack of capacity.
Heather has developed particular experience in dealing with matters where fundamental dishonesty and/or fraud is in issue, and is regularly instructed to advise in these matters in addition to her court work.
Away from the court room, Heather is frequently instructed to advise in conference and on paper in respect of quantum and liability in high-value claims, and particularly enjoys the forensic analysis of high volumes of information. She is instructed in joint settlement meetings and has acted, without a leader, in several cases values more than £1m.
Heather is instructed by both Claimants and Defendants. Where appropriate, she will consider accepting instructions on a CFA basis.
Heather is the head of the Clinical Negligence Team at 42 Bedford Row.
She acts for both Claimants and Defendants (both in the public and private healthcare sectors). She particularly enjoys dealing with matters concerning complex medical issues, and has been instructed in a broad range of claims against, for example, GPs, surgeons, midwives, dentists, and NHS Trusts.
Heather frequently advises on paper and in conference across the range of her clinical negligence practice. She has a busy multi-track court practice, and regularly drafts Statements of Case in claims pleaded significantly in excess of £1m (for both Claimants and Defendants).
She has particular experience in dealing with cases concerning cosmetic surgery and the specific issues that arise in such cases regarding patient expectations and consent.
