Sarah McWhirter specialises in clinical negligence and personal injury actions. She has extensive experience in complex and high-value claims. She has particular expertise in birth injury, spinal injury, amputation and fatal claims.
Prior to calling to the Bar in 2025, Sarah specialised in clinical negligence and personal injury work for over 10 years. Latterly, Sarah was Head of Clinical Negligence (Scotland) and a (Principal Lawyer (partner) at a large UK-wide firm. She was ranked ‘Band 1’ in Chambers and Partners for Clinical Negligence: Mainly Claimant (2025). Sarah has experience of representing both pursuers and defenders.
As a solicitor Sarah, appeared in the All-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court and regularly dealt with cases raised in the Court of Session.
During devilling, Sarah enhanced her existing experience in clinical negligence and personal injury work. She expanded her knowledge of specialist personal injury claims, including industrial disease and historical child abuse. She also gained experience in other areas of law, most notably mental health, professional regulation and public law.
Sarah is the Course Organiser for the Personal Injury elective course on the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Edinburgh.
Contact our clerks
Normal business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
ampersandclerks@advocates.org.uk
+44 (0)131 260 5674 (9am to 5pm)
Alan Moffat
Advocates' Clerk
Sheena Hume
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
Shawn McArthur
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
Kathryn Ferguson
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
Bonnie McCracken
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
Academic
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Edinburgh (2012)
- B (Hons) (First Class), University of Edinburgh (2011)
Scholarships/Awards
- Lord Hope Scholar (2024-2025)
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice prize for the top overall student (University of Edinburgh, 2012)
- Law Society of Scotland prize for the top student Civil Court Practice (University of Edinburgh, 2012)
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice prize for the top student in Conveyancing (University of Edinburgh, 2012)
- Admitted to Faculty of Advocates (June 2025 – Devilmasters: Jennifer Nicholson-White, David Blair, Andrew Bergin, Kenneth Cloggie
- Slater and Gordon (Scotland) Limited – Principal Lawyer (2021-2024); Senior Associate (2019-2021); Associate (2017-2019)
- Plexus Law – Senior Solicitor (2016-2017); Solicitor (2014-2016)
- Maclay Murray and Spens LLP – Trainee Solicitor (2012-2014)
Directory rankings
- Chambers and Partners, Clinical Negligence: Mainly Claimant – Band 1 (2025)
- Legal 500, Medical Negligence, Pursuer – Leading Associate (2025)
- Committee Member, Women at the Bar Association (2024-2025)
- University of Edinburgh, Diploma in Professional Legal Practice – Course Organiser, Personal Injury (2024 – present); Tutor, Personal Injury (2020-2024)