Geoffrey D. Mitchell QC

Derek Hamilton v Lanarkshire Health Board (2019)
Allegations of negligence against a general surgeon, regarding his decision to use an endoscope to remove an accidentally swallowed denture plate from the claimant’s oesophagus. Instructed by the Board.

Andrew Hamilton v Greater Glasgow Health Board (2019)
Allegations of negligence against two Accident and Emergency consultants and a Junior doctor working in A&E, for failing to detect a fractured skull, such that a haematoma within the claimant’s skull grew, and caused brain damage. Instructed by the Board.

Anderson v Lanarkshire Health Board (2019)
Allegations of negligence against obstetricians and a midwife in failing to advise a mother of the risks of shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s head and shoulders become stuck against the mother’s pelvis); and of applying excess force when delivering the baby. Instructed by the Board.

Cowell-Smith v Leith Mount Surgery (2018)
Allegations of negligence against a firm of GP’s, who failed to refer the pursuers’ daughter to hospital when she presented at the GP surgery with signs of a serious infection, from which she later died. Instructed by the claimant.

Paton v NHS Lanarkshire Health Board (2017)
Claim for damages against a colorectal surgeon following haemorrhoidectomy. Allegation of failure to perform operation competently. Instructed on behalf of the Health Board.

Turner v The National Times Waiting Centre (2016)
Claim for damages against a plastic surgeon following cosmetic surgery to abdomen of patient. Allegation of failure to perform operation competently. Instructed on behalf of the claimant.

Macdonald v The Health Centre (2016)
Claim for damages against a GP’s practice, on behalf of family of deceased patient. Allegation of  failure to refer deceased for specialist treatment. High value case. Instructed on behalf of claimant.

CD v Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust [2015] CSOH 142 
Claim for damages on behalf of child who developed Erbs palsy following shoulder dystocia during birth. Instructed on behalf of the Health Trust.

Burnett v Albyn Medical Practice (2014)
Instructed for the pursuer.  High value case.  Failure to detect badder cancer.

Hamilton v Lothian Health Board (2014)
Instructed for the pursuer.  High value case.  Cerebral palsy.

Swanson v Greater Glasgow Health Board (2013)
Instructed for the pursuer.  High value case involving brain injury sustained following a cardiac arrest that occurred in the course of abdominal surgery.

Anderson v Finlay Park (2012)
Instructed for the pursuer.  Claim arising from injuries sustained in the course of maxilla facial surgery.

Hannigan v Law Hospital NHS Trust [2012] CSOH 152 
Instructed for the defenders.  High value case involving damage to a ureter sustained in the course of a hysterectomy operation.

Snedden v Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (2011)
Instructed for the defenders.  Birth of a child who developed cerebral palsy following a placental abruption.  A high value action.

Birrell v Cos Lane Medical Practice (2011)
Instructed for the pursuer.  Claim against general practitioner for failing to detect a cyst, resulting in major abdominal complications.

Lazell v Lanarkshire Health Board (2010)
Instructed for the defenders.  Birth of a child who developed cerebral palsy.  A high value action.

Rae v Lanarkshire Health Board (2010)
Instructed for the defenders.  Birth of a child who developed cerebral palsy.  A high value action.

Inquiry into the death of John Summerhill (2009)
Death of a man employed on a building site.  Instructed by the family of the deceased.

Re hearing of the formal investigation into the sinking of the MFV Trident (2009 to 2010)
Long running inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 before the Sheriff Principal of Grampian Highland and Islands and two assessors into the sinking a trawler off the Moray Coast in 1974.  Instructed by the family of one of the deceased crewmen.

Inquiry into the death of Stuart and David Black (2008)
Death of two men in a road traffic accident.  Instructed by the City of Edinburgh Council.

Inquiry into the death of Hassana Moughrabi (2007)
Death of a young girl from complications arising from increased intra cranial pressure.  Instructed by Lanarkshire Health Board.

He is regularly instructed by the Crown in criminal appeals. Recent cases argued on behalf of the Crown include the following:

• Gage v HMA [2012] HCJAC 14
• Foye v HMA [2012] HCJAC 94
• Petch v HMA [2011] HCJAC 50
• McLean v HMA [2011] HCJAC 99
• Thomson v HMA [2010] HCJAC 129
• Black v HMA [2010] HCJAC 126
• Hay v HMA [2010] HCJAC 125