0131 260 5674 (switchboard 9am to 5pm)
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Lauren Sutherland KC

Year of Call: 1996

07557 415598
lauren.sutherland@advocates.org.uk

Photo of Lauren Sutherland KC

She's got an encyclopedic knowledge and she handles complex cases with ease.

Clinical Negligence, Chambers & Partners (2022)

Lauren Sutherland KC called to the bar in 1996 and took silk in 2016. Prior to calling to the Bar she was a Solicitor in private practice specialising in Personal Injury and Medical Negligence work. As a Solicitor she worked for both claimants and defending claims. Since calling to the Bar she has specialised in Clinical and Professional Negligence, Fatal Accident Inquiries, Personal Injury and Human Rights issues in Medical Law.  In 2020 Lauren gained CEDR accreditation as a mediator.

Lauren runs a blog providing comment on legal cases in the area of clinical negligence and patient consent and can be viewed here.

Experience

Lauren Sutherland KC has advocacy experience gained over nearly 30 years both as a Solicitor in private practice and at the Bar. She has considerable experience in catastrophic injury cases and has a particular interest and expertise in cerebral palsy, cancer and brain injury cases. As a Solicitor she gained experience in the area of nursing practice and this continued when she called to the bar and she had responsibility to oversee the nursing section in the Vale of Leven Public Inquiry. She has also considerable experience in the area of Solicitors professional negligence.

She is currently ranked in Chambers UK and the Legal 500 (Band 1) for Clinical Negligence. She has consistently been ranked band 1 for Clinical Negligence.

Chambers UK have said:

Lauren Sutherland QC is a strong silk who brings her skills to bear in the full array of clinical negligence and personal injury cases. She is adept at navigating complex causation and quantum issues and is especially knowledgeable about claims relating to cerebral palsy, brain injuries and fatal incidents.  Instructing solicitors frequently praise her for her medical knowledge. (Chambers 2022)

“Excellent on her feet and very well prepared.” (Chambers 2021)

“She is pragmatic, great at managing expectations and very practical.” (Chambers 2021)

“She has an apparently inexhaustible energy to prepare and argue some of the most ground-breaking cases”, “A highly regarded and experienced advocate recognised for her personal injury and medical negligence experience” (Chambers 2020)

“She is absolutely superb, and she fights a client’s corner pretty fiercely… hugely knowledgeable and really applies herself“.

In the 2016 edition she is described as “Deeply knowledgeable in medical negligence matters. I don’t think you could find a more committed advocate to medical negligence cases.” “She’s a real leader in this field; the most specialised claimant clinical negligence advocate in Scotland“.

In 2017 Chambers say of her “Her knowledge of the legal and medical aspects of the cases she handles is phenomenal”  “Absolutely superb at medical negligence cases. She goes the extra mile to understand the expert knowledge.”

Lauren was junior counsel in the landmark case on Consent to medical treatment – Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board [2015] UKSC 11. She presented the first argument for the claimant in the Scottish Inner House and was part of the team who conducted the case in the UK Supreme Court. This case was instrumental in changing the approach to consent in the UK and has been described as one of the most significant clinical negligence cases in recent years. Lauren has published a book on Consent post Montgomery available on Amazon (see Law Brief Publishing for details).

Lauren has been involved in a number of high profile Fatal Accident Inquiries, the Nimrod litigation and is currently involved in the Product litigation involving the use of TVT and mesh in gynaecological procedures and orthopaedic product litigation.

She was appointed by the Scottish Government as junior counsel to the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry in October 2009. The Inquiry had a wide remit to review deaths from C difficile infection. Her involvement required extensive knowledge of care of the elderly, nursing and medical practice, and infection control in hospital.

She was invited to participate in the review panel Chaired by Professor S McLean on the issue of introduction of no fault compensation in Scotland.

Lauren was a key speaker at the Association of Breast Surgery Conference on 13th May 2019 at the SEC Glasgow where she lead the Medico-Legal case discussion on consent and practical case studies on issues of patient consent confidentiality.

In 2020 Lauren was appointed Head of Medical Negligence at PEOPIL (Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers).

Lauren was called to the Bar of England & Wales in 2021 and joined Byrom Street Chambers in February 2022. She can accept instructions in England and Wales via her clerks at Byrom Street Chambers.

Medical/Clinical Negligence Law

Almond-Roots v El Jamel and NHS Tayside 2021 CSOH 130
This was a claim for cauda equina as a result of failures in diagnosis and surgery against a surgeon on a private basis and against the hospital where the pursuer was treated.  Eventually liability was admitted.  Damages were agreed but the case proceeded on apportionment of liability between the defenders.

Jennifer McCulloch v Forth Valley Health Board [2021] CSIH 21
This was the appeal heard by the Second Division of the Inner House in Scotland in the previous case related to misdiagnosis of a pericardial effusion and consent.

Widdowson v Liberty Insurance NHS Grampian NHS Highland [2021] CSOH 15
This was a fatal case and an action was brought against both the insurers of a car involved in a road traffic accident which caused injury to Mr Widdowson and also two hospitals for failures in care after the accident. All have eventually admitted liability for the death. The case is important in considering issues of apportionment of responsibility amongst the defenders and the principles to be applied.

Jennifer McCulloch and others v Forth Valley Health Board [2020] CSOH 40
Proof over 8 days in which the pursuers claimed that there had been negligence in a cardiologist’s care.

Vincent Friel v Dr Brown [2019] CSOH 30; [2020] CSIH 7
Procedure Roll Debate and Reclaiming Motion on the effect of S10 of the Law Reforms (Misc Prov) (Scotland) Act 1968 and what constitutes abuse of process in Scotland

Allan Johnston v NHS Grampian [2019] CSOH 90
Clinical Negligence case on consent

James Carr v R H Independent Health Care Limited [2018] CSOH 82
Procedure Roll Debate on the procedural issues of the effect of a decree of reduction

Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board [2015] UKSC11
Landmark case on consent to medical treatment in front of 7 judge bench at UKSC. Cerebral palsy case involving diabetic mother with large baby who was not advised of the risks of mechanical problems in labour or shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia occurred during delivery and the child was born with cerebral palsy and a brachial plexus injury. Inner House decision [2013] CSIH 3; 2013 SC 245

Ryan Coyle v Lanarkshire Health Board [2014] CSIH 78
Appeal by the Health Board against the decision of Lord Tyre in the first instance. Appeal related to the question of whether he correctly interpreted the evidence in relation to the timing of delivery. The appeal was unsuccessful.

Ryan Coyle v Lanarkshire Health Board [2013] CSOH 167
Cerebral palsy case involving delay in delivery of child. The case involved allegations of obstetric and midwifery negligence. Was one of the few cerebral palsy cases that have proceeded successfully to proof.

Evelyn Telfer on behalf of Mirren Telfer v The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust
Cerebral palsy case proceeded to proof on all issues but settled after a week of evidence following admission of fault.

Marika Komori v Tayside Health Board [2010] CSOH 30
Case involving an injury sustained following an arterial blood sample Sought recovery of all documentation held by the Health Board in relation to the complaint made by the claimant

Brenda Louise Rennie v Lothian Health Board [2010] CSOH 61
This was a cerebral palsy case which considered the issues of delay and mora in the context of litigation.

Greenhorn v South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust [2008] CSOH 128
The claimant suffered nerve damage following a colposuspension procedure. Considered the issue of res ipsa in the context of clinical negligence

Hepburn v Royal Alexandra Hospital and Another [2008] CSOH 81
Argument in the Outer House relating to delay in progress of litigation in the context of a clinical negligence claim

J.S. v Lothian Health Board 2009 SLT 689
This case related to a failure in testing for cystic fibrosis. The case considered the important issue of the non delegable duties of Health Boards in terms of matters such as test results

Rosemary Lenton v Ayrshire and Arran Health Board
Involving a knee replacement surgery without prophylactic antibiotics which resulted in gross destruction of the knee with the result the claimant was wheelchair bound. Issues of orthopaedic negligence.

Learmont v Dr Vernon
Action against a GP following the death of a young woman with meningitis. Difficult issues related to causation and whether the death could have been avoided had she been referred to hospital at an earlier date

Zoe Campbell v Highland Health Board
Cerebral palsy case involving a breach delivery which proceeded to proof on all issues and then settled after evidence.

Eric Robertson v Forth Valley Health Board (Extra Division)
Full evidential appeal before the Extra Division which settled after a number of weeks of hearing

Eric Robertson v Forth Valley Health Board 13/4/2005
(Temporary Judge Coutts) Clinical negligence case related to the failure to diagnose an aneurysm resulting in the patient suffering a stroke when he underwent surgery

Christopher Muir and Others v Grampian Health Board Lord Abernethy CSOH 17/3/2000
Fatal case following the death of a woman as a result of a heart attack. Issues of whether she should have been recognised as at risk of cardiac problems and whether she should have been discharged from hospital. One of the first cases to raise the issue of whether pursuer’s should lead in evidence the doctor’s being blamed.

Maureen Trodden v Greater Glasgow Health Board
Case involving breast reduction surgery which left the pursuer with grossly reduced breasts. Issues of negligence in cosmentic surgery.

Richard Adamson v Lanarkshire Health Board
Medical Negligence jury trial. A young boy had a selling in his testicle and this was removed without testing on the assumption that the swelling was cancerous. Subsequently confirmed to be a blood clot. One of the few medical negligence cases that has proceeded to jury trial.

Desmond McCafferty v Greater Glasgow Health Board
Time bar argument in relation to raising of proceedings in a Clinical negligence case

Personal Injury Law

Widdowson v Liberty Insurance NHS Grampian NHS Highland [2021] CSOH 15
This was a fatal case and an action was brought against bot the insurers of a car involved in a road traffic accident which caused injury to Mr Widdowson and also two hospitals for failures in care after the accident. All have eventually admitted liability for the death. The case is important in considering issues of apportionment of responsibility amongst the defenders and the principles to be applied.

Hughes v Turning Point Scotland [2019] CSOH 42, 2019 S.L.T. 651
Claim for Damages in respect of a duty of care owned by a charity to a man who attended in withdrawal from alcohol. Issues of whether Huntley v Hanley test applied to the actions of the charity, whether they were rescuer in law, duty of care and contributory negligence.

Gloria Urquhart v Fife Primary Care NHS Trust
(Lord Brodie) Nursing personal injury case

Public inquiries & Fatal Accident Inquiries

Inquest into the death of Dr David Larner, Manchester South Coroners Court
Inquiry into the death of a man following delay in removal of a polyp which resulted in cancer

Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry 
This was set up by Scottish Government and Chaired by Lord McLean to investigate deaths at the Vale of Leven Hospital as a result of C difficile infection. She was appointed as the Junior Counsel to the Inquiry which lasted over 3 years and published in November 2014. The Inquiry had a wide ranging remit to review issues of nursing practice, medical practice, tissue viability, nurtition in the elderly, infection control and clinical governance.

Inquiry related to the Glasgow Airport Rail link
Junior Counsel instructed in the planning Inquiry related to the Glasgow Airport Rail link. This was a proposed rail link between Glasgow Central Station and Glasgow Airport

Inquiry into the death of Debra Law
(represented the family) Related to the death of a young woman following the administration of an anaesthetic by a junior doctor and required a detailed knowledge of anaesthetics and the technique for rapid sequence induction

Inquiry into the death of Linda Gibson
(represented the family) Related to the death of a young woman following coning of her brain. This was a lengthy Inquiry with complex medical evidence in relation to epilepsy, neurology, infection and the mechanism of brain swelling together with the interaction of drugs on this process

Inquiry into the death of Stephen Miller
(represented the family) Related to the death of a young boy following a massive pulmonary thromboembolism and involved complex issues in relation to haematology, the mechanism of clotting and the interaction of drugs on this process

Inquiry into the death of Simon Dolan
(represented the family. Related to the death of a child with Cornelia de Lang Syndrome where there was malplacement of a feeding tube. Paediatric issues and nursing negligence

Inquiry into the death of George Fairlie
(represented the family) Related to the death of an elderly man in a Care Home. This lasted nearly 9 weeks in Paisley Sheriff Court. The case had a number of complex medical issues relating to dementia, pressure damage, vascular issues and diabetes and medical care of the elderly. In addition issues in relation to Social Work Care and the workings of the Care Commission

Inquiry into the death of Lorraine McGalliard
(represented the family). Related to the death of a young girl following an undiagnosed torted ovarian cyst. Gynaecological and surgical negligence

Administrative Law (including judicial review)

Petition of Laureen Joan Fargie [2008] CSOH 117
Petition for review of the eligibility criterion of the Skipton Fund which restricted payment to representatives of persons who died having been infected with Hepatitis C as a result of infected blood products or tissue from the NHS.

Petition for Judicial Review of Fairlie
Judicial Review in relation to the administration of the Skipton Fund in relation to compensation payments for Hepatitis C

Petition for Judicial Review of Hayleigh Reynolds
Judicial Review in relation failure to provide drug treatment to a young girl

Petition Cameron Fyfe v The Council of the Law Society and Others  (Inner House)  2017 CSIH 6

Practice areas
Clerks

General Contact

ampersandclerks@advocates.org.uk
0131 260 5674

The Clerking team

Alan Moffat | Advocates’ Clerk
alan.moffat@advocates.org.uk – +44 (0)131 260 5710

Jennifer Dunn | Deputy Advocates’ Clerk
(working days Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – 9am to 5pm)
jennifer.dunn@advocates.org.uk – +44 (0)131 260 5614

Sheena Hume | Deputy Advocates’ Clerk
sheena.hume@advocates.org.uk – +44 (0)131 260 5809

Shawn McArthur | Deputy Advocates’ Clerk
shawn.mcarthur@advocates.org.uk – +44 (0)131 260 5616

Kathryn Ferguson | Deputy Advocates’ Clerk
kathryn.ferguson@advocates.org.uk – +44 (0)131 260 5660

Emma Busby | Deputy Advocates’ Clerk
emma.busby@advocates.org.uk – +44 (0)131 260 5628

Memberships & Appointments
  • Secretary of the Advocates Professional Negligence Bar Group. This involves her in organising teaching events in the area of professional negligence and ensuring members of Faculty are up to date in this area.
  • Contributing Editor to the Reparation Bulletin on Medical Negligence produced by W Green. Involves reporting and commenting on current medical negligence cases.
  • Junior Counsel to the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry set up by the Scottish Ministers and Chaired by Lord Maclean. The Inquiry is investigating the deaths associated with C difficile infection at The Vale of Leven Hospital in Dumbarton.
  • Member of the No Fault Compensation Review Group, chaired by Professor Sheila McLean, February 2011.
  • Appointed Queen’s Counsel, September 2016.
  • Head of Medical Negligence, PEOPIL (Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers), February 2020.
  • 2020 – CEDR accredited mediator.
  • Called to the Bar in England and Wales, 2021
  • Member of the American Association of Justice (AAJ), 2022
Court & Tribunal Experience

Lauren has experience in the UK Supreme Court, Court of Session (Inner and Outer House) including proofs, judicial review hearings, jury trials and procedure rolls and in the Sheriff Court. She has appeared at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. She has been involved in one of the few medical negligence jury trials to proceed to trial. She was involved in the Planning Inquiry in respect of the Glasgow Airport Rail link.

Publications & Articles

Lauren has written extensively in the area of personal injury and medical negligence. She is the author of ‘A Guide to Consent in Clinical Negligence Post-Montgomery’ published by Law Brief Publishing (2018), contributing editor of Green’s Reparation Bulletin on Medical Law and wrote the chapter on Medical Law and Human Rights in Greens Human Rights Loosleaf.

Published Book

Sutherland QC: ‘A Guide to Consent in Clinical Negligence Post-Montgomery’, Law Brief Publishing, 2018.

Published Articles

Since coming to the Bar she has published a number of Articles in the area of Personal Injury and Medical Negligence. She is also a Contributing Editor to the Reparation Bulletin and produces regular reviews and comment on cases decided in the area of medical negligence.  Medical Negligence roundup 2019 Reparation Bulletin

  • Who carries responsibility – moral blameworthiness and causative potency: Carolyn Almond-Roots v El Jamel and NHS Tayside Reparation Bulletin 2022
  • Meadows v Khan: The scope of duty in clinical negligence Reparation Bulletin 2021
  • The right of patients to make autonomous choices: Montgomery v Lanarkshire Hearth Board: a landmark decision on information disclosure to patients in the UK. Int Urogynecol J (2021)
  • Does the Bolam Test apply to disputes of fact between experts? Reparation Bulletin February 2020, issue 152
  • The quality of evidence of normal practice in information disclosure cases post Montgomery. Reparation Bulletin 2019, 150, 2-4 – Comments on the Supreme Court of Australian Capital territory decision in Kempster v Healthscope Operations Pty Ltd on whether a nurse who claimed to have used standard or invariable practice had failed to adopt the standard of care to be expected of a nurse in that position and the evidential weight to be attached to such assertions.
  • Is coincidental causation sufficient to found liability? Reparation Bulletin 2019, 147, 4-6 – Comments on the case of Khan v MNX (CA) on whether a general practitioner who failed to establish that a patient was a carrier of the haemophilia gene was liable in law for the child’s autism as well as haemophilia where the mother would not have become pregnant if she knew she was a carrier. Discussed the ‘scope of liability’ test and its application in the UK.
  • Montgomery: Myths, Misconceptions and Misunderstandings Journal of Personal Injury Law Issue 3 2019 – Comments on the arguments made in Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board in the Supreme Court and the implications of the decision with an analysis of some of the decisions since the case was decided.
  • The Bolam and Hunter v Hanley tests following Montgomery Reparation Bulletin 2018, 144, 5-8 – Comments on AH v Greater Glasgow Health Board on whether doctors failed in their duty of care by failing to advise on the risks inherent in the use of vaginal mesh products. Considers the impact of Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee and Hunter v Hanley and whether the cases still apply to consent cases.
  • LT v Lothian NHS Health Board Reparation Bulletin 2018, 143 5-8 – Brain damage during birth case where the allegation was the Registrar negligently misinterpreted the CTG trace and failed to expedite the birth. Considers the issue of conflicting expert evidence, impartiality, disclosure and consent.
  • Causation in wrongful birth cases Reparation Bulletin 2018, 140, 6-8 – Considers the case of Meadows v Khan (QBD) on whether there was liability for losses sustained by a woman who had a child with both autism and haemophilia when the woman had only sought to avoid having a child with haemophilia.
  • AW as legal representative of LW v Greater Glasgow Health Board. Reparation Bulletin 2017, 138, 6-8 – Comments on AW v Greater Glasgow Health Board in which a reclaiming motion was refused in relation to the dismissal of an action against 2 midwives in relation to damage suffered by a child pre -delivery.
  • Malone v Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board Reparation Bulletin 2017, 135, 5-7 – Comment on the Outer House decision in Malone which was an action for damages against a Health Board in respect of the clinical negligence on the part of a Haematologist which resulted on the claimant suffering a stroke.
  • The introduction of consent cases to existing cases following Montgomery Reparation Bulletin 2016, 133, 3-6 – Considers with reference to the case law the position on introducing a consent case late in a medical negligence proceedings in the aftermath of Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board
  • KR v Lanarkshire Health Board Reparation Bulletin 2016, 132, 6-8 – Examines the Outer House ruling in KR v Lanarkshire Health Board where the issue was whether the Registrar managing the labour was under a duty to make the patient aware of the material risks involved in her labour in accordance with the principles found in Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board and offer a caesarean section or assisted delivery.
  • Medical Negligence Update Reparation Bulletin 2016, 131, 6-8 – Comments on the Privy Council ruling in Williams v Bermuda Hospitals Board the Queen’s bench ruling in Tasmin v Barts Health NHS Trust and the QBD ruling in SXX v Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust
  • Consent to medical treatment and provision of inaccurate information in risks Reparation Bulletin 2015, 127,5-7 – Examines the Queen’s Bench Division ruling in Connolly v Croydon Health Services NHS Trust on whether a hospital failed to obtain informed consent to a procedure and whether its continuing treatment of the patient after she had withdrawn her consent invalidated the lawfulness of treatment. Considers whether the right to withdraw consent can be overruled in life threatening situations.
  • Consent post Montgomery Reparation Bulletin 2015, 126, 6-8 – Comments on the Queen’s Bench Division ruling in FM v Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust on whether to award damages for clinical negligence which resulted in brachial plexus injury during childbirth on the ground that the hospital failed to discuss the risks of possible shoulder dystocia with the mother prior to labour.
  • Causation issues midwifery negligence Reparation Bulletin 2015, 125, 6-8 – Assesses the Outer House ruling in W v Greater Glasgow Health Board on whether the failure by midwives to refer to hospital a woman who was 20 weeks’ pregnant and displaying symptoms of pre-eclampsia had: (1) caused a delay in the birth of her son; and (2) if so, that delay had caused her son to develop a brain injury.
  • Causation issues in consent cases: where are we now following the decision of the Supreme Court in Montgomery? Reparation Bulletin 2015, 124, 3-6 – Comments on the Supreme Court judgment in Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board on consent and causation in a clinical negligence claim, if a baby suffered shoulder dystocia during birth and the mother asserted that she would have asked for a caesarean section if she had been advised about the risk. Considers whether the test of causation should be subjective, or objective based on what a reasonable patient would have done.
  • The law finally reflects good professional practice. Reparation Bulletin 2015, 123, 4-8 – Reports on the landmark Supreme Court judgment in Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board on whether an obstetrician should have informed a pregnant woman of the risk of shoulder dystocia occurring in a vaginal delivery in her case and the further risk of the baby being born with brain damage. Highlights the significance of the case in developing the law on consent to medical treatment, with particular reference to the legal status of General Medical Council guidance.
  • Causation in Consent Cases – Where are we now? B. 2015, 124, 3-6
  • C (By his Father and Litigation Friend ‘F’) v North Cumbrian University Hospitals NHS Trust B 2014, 121(Dec), 6-8 – An analysis of the application of the Bolitho principles to expert evidence (November 2014)
  • M. as legal representative of RM v Highland Health Board Rep. B, 2014, 117 (Apr) 7-8 – Bolitho in the CP case
  • Alexander Glancy v The Southern General Hospital NHS Trust – Consent and emergency surgery B. 2013, 113 (Aug), 24
  • Robin Donald and Others v Ayrshire & Arran Health Board and Others B 2013, 112 (Jun) 7-8 – GP negligence and failure to diagnose DVT (May 2013)
  • Helen McGlone v Greater Glasgow Health Board (January 2013) – B. 2017, 135, 5-7 – Failure to diagnose cancer and causation issues
  • Hannigan v Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust B 2012, 109 (Dec) 6-7 – Analysis of competing expert evidence and the application of Bolitho in a total hysterectomy
  • Marjory Campbell v Borders Health Board B 2011, 100 (Jun), 7-8 – analysis of the concept of direct responsibility of health boards
  • Nicolas Taaffe v East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (May 2012) Medical Negligence B. 2012, 106(May), 7-8
  • Recovery of Damages for a ‘seriously handicapped’ child – The Case of Rand
  • The blessing of the unplanned  pregnancy – MacFarlane in the House of Lords (2000) B. 2000, 33(May), 5-7
  • Multipliers Multiplied – Wells and McNulty B. 1999, 25(Jan), 4-7
  • Failed Sterilisation (1995) B. 1995, 3(May), 4-7
  • The Brain Damaged Baby B. 1995, 2(Mar), 3-6
  • “No Fishing” Recovery of Medical Records pre litigation” B. 1995, 1(Feb), 3-5
  • A Single Standard of Care B. 1995, 6(Nov), 11-12
  • A relationship of Mutual Trust  Is Pregnancy a Personal Injury? B. 1995, 5(Sep), 4-6
Presented Lectures

Lauren has been asked to lecture on a number of different topics in the field of personal injury and medical negligence since going to the Bar. She has given lectures for a number of different organisations including the Scottish Young Lawyers, The Legal Services Agency, The Law Society and Glasgow Graduate School.

Lectures Presented

  • Chair at Inspire Medilaw Annual Conference: ‘The Anatomy of a Cerebral Palsy Case’, Edinburgh, 18 April 2023
  • Inspire Medilaw Annual Conference – Chair and speaker, 14 September 2023
  • McCollum Consultants: Training for expert witnesses – court craft, attending meetings with counsel and drafting – 13 September 2023
  • Co-Chair of AJJ/PEOPIL’s Birth Injury and Medical Negligence Seminar, Florence, 4-5 September 2023
  • Speaker: ‘Montgomery 8 years on‘ British Association of Urological Surgeons, 21 June 2023
  • Speaker: Annual Conference for Interventional Radiologists, Perth, 12 May 2023
  • Presentation on expert witnesses, The Royal Faculty of Procurators, 27 April 2023
  • Chair at Inspire MediLaw Conference: ‘Medico-legal issues in misdiagnosis/delayed diagnosis of cancer‘, Edinburgh, 24 April 2023
  • Britspine: ‘Consent in the ‘Montgomery’ era for spinal surgeons‘, Glasgow 2023
  • Young Lawyers Conference for PEOPIL – Launching the PEOPIL mentoring scheme presenting advice on career development – 3 March 2023
  • Presenting to medical and dental students at Guys Hospital (London) on law and ethical practice – 16 March 2023
  • Chair at Inspire MediLaw’s Medico-Legal issues in Brains and Spines conference, Edinburgh, 31 October 2022
  • Somek 25th Anniversary Conference – Liability: Expert reports in the context of court and Courtroom Skills, 17 June 2022
  • Reasonable options for treatment post Montgomery – SCIL – Birmingham, 19 May 2022
  • Chair at Clinical Negligence Conference PEOPIL, 12 May 2022 Palma, Spain
  • Presentation for MASIC Foundation ‘Montgomery – where are we now?’ 21 April 2022
  • Presentation on ‘Patient consent and the Montgomery decision‘, Faculty of Dental Surgery, Kings College, London, 17 March 2022.
  • British Association of Brain Injury & Complex Case Management ‘Accommodation: so much more than a roof over your head’ – Chair and Speaker, Birmingham, 16 March 2022
  • Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow: Medical Negligence Half Day Conference 2021 – Chair and Speaker, 29 October 2021
  • Chair of conference on Medico Legal issues in Cardiology and Respiratory Medicine, Inspire Medilaw, Edinburgh, October 2021.
  • Presentation on ‘Anaesthetic Consent’, Oxford Anaesthetic Conference, 28 September 2021
  • Invited lecture for National Education Scotland on patient consent and information disclosure to patients,  27 May 2021 (virtual conference)
  • Invited presentation at IGB Congress, Holland (online) on the ethical principles that underline patient consent and the development of the law in the UK: ‘Montgomery; from Hippocrates to paternalism to patience choice‘, 30 March 2021
  • Rationing Healthcare in a Global Pandemic – a presentation on the legal position in Scotland. Commonwealth Lawyers Association, 16th March 2021.
  • Teaching on expert witness course with Inspire Medilaw, 14 and 15 December 2020 and 7-8 June 2021
  • Invited lecture at Royal Faculty of Procurators, Glasgow on “What you want from expert witnesses”, 8 December 2020
  • PEOPIL’s Webinar ‘Plastic Surgery Tourism’ (Chair), September 2020
  • Inspire MediLaw Annual Expert Witness Conference (Chair), September 2020
  • Inspire MediLaw Webinar ‘Consent post-Montgomery in brain injury claims’, September 2020
  • Inspire MediLaw Webinar “Conversations on Consent”, June 2020.
  • PEOPIL’s 5th Webinar on Zoom discussing issue of Nursing Homes Claims, June 2020.
  • Training Day: Appearing in court, Jacqueline Webb OT’s, Oxford, January 2020.
  • Presentations at Medical Expert Witness Training for Medical Professionals on: 1. Consent; 2. Courts, Cross and Examination in Chief, Inspire Medilaw, Glasgow, December 2019,
  • Presentation on Consent: The journey from Hippocrates to paternalism to patient choice, Scottish Spine Surgeons, November 2019 Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
  • Chair of conference on Medico Legal issues in Emergency Medicine, Inspire Medilaw, Edinburgh October 2019
  • Presentation: Medical Negligence Update 2019, Royal Faculty of Procurators Annual Conference October 2019
  • Inspire MediLaw (Medico-Legal issues in General Surgery) – London (11th September 2019) – (https://www.inspiremedilaw.co.uk/event/clinical-negligence-conference-september-2019/) Presenting on consent and causation issues in consent cases.
  • Presentation: The Legal Duty of Candour in the UK and whether this is consistent with the approach of the UK Supreme Court in Montgomeryon the individual patient’s right to information disclosure, at the XXXVIth International Congress on Law and Mental Health Conference, Rome (July 2019)
  • Inspire MediLaw Expert Witness Training for Medical Professionals (June 2019) Teaching on the law, what is an expert witness and appearing in court.
  • Chair and speaker (on consent) at Inspire MediLaw Annual Expert Witness Conference (May 2019) Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh
  • Presentation: National Conference for the Association of Breast Surgeons in Glasgow (May 2019)
  • Chair at Inspire MediLaw Clinical Negligence Conference (April 2019)
  • Part of a panel on consent at the Winter Scientific Meeting for the Royal College of Anaesthetists in London (January 2019
  • Teaching Medical expert witnesses with Inspire Medilaw, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Glasgow (December 2018)
  • Presentation: Difficult issues in Personal Injury Litigation. The Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow Personal Injury Conference (October 2018)
  • Chairing medico-legal conference for Inspire Medilaw (October 2018)
  • Invited speaker British Society of Paediatric Dentistry Caird Hall, Dundee on consent (September 2018)
  • Invited speaker in Barcelona at the Pan-European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers at an international session on consent (June 2018)
  • Presenting on Consent and Risk at Manchester International Living Donor Meeting, Innovations and Controversies (April 2018)
  • Chairing Negligence in Gynaecology & Obstetrics Conference with Inspire MediLaw, Edinburgh (April 2018)
  • Medical Negligence update at the annual Personal Injury Conference. Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow (March 2018)
  • Presentation: Consent and Montgomery 3 years on. Where are we now? Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow (March 2018)
  • Teaching medical experts with Inspire Medilaw on preparing medical reports and giving evidence in court (January 2018)
  • Lecture on Quantum issues in orthopaedic, spinal and amputation cases for Orthopaedic Conference with Inspire MediLaw (30 October 2017)
  • Teaching medical experts on preparing medical reports and giving evidence in court, Inspire Medilaw Oxford (October 2017)
  • Annual Personal Injury Conference Royal Faculty of Procurators – Presenting on Clinical Negligence and the new rules (October 2015)
  • Presentation: Montgomery – A new Approach, Royal Faculty of Procurators (2015)
  • Presentation: Understanding the decision of the Supreme Court in Montgomery – Presentation to DAC Beachcroft English offices (July 2015)
  • Presentation: Causation in Consent Cases – Where are we now? Ampersand Clinical Negligence Conference (June 2015)
  • Presentation: The law on Consent to Medical Treatment – University of Glasgow Medico-legal Society (2014)
  • Presentation: Consent and NM v Lanarkshire Health Board– Medico Legal Management Clinical Negligence Conference (2014)
  • Co-Chair and organiser of the Ampersand Clinical Negligence Conference (June 2014)
  • Periodical Payment Orders and Medical Negligence Update – Central Law Training Personal Injury Conference 2014, Glasgow
  • Presentation: Medical Negligence Update – Central Law Training Personal Injury Conference 2013, Edinburgh
  • Patient Advisors Day – Talk on negligence to Patient Advisors (2012)
  • Civil Procedure – Advocates’ Clerks training talk
  • Multipliers in Personal Injury Actions – (2000,1999,1998) – Legal Services Agency Day Conference on Update on Personal Injury Law
  • Presentation: Psychological Injury and the Law (2007)
  • Medico-legal report writing and Giving Evidence in Court Medical Education – for Doctors (2007)
  • Presentation: Medical Negligence – Day Conference for Morton Fraser (2006)
  • Presentation: Cerebral Palsy and Brain Injury Claims – Legal Services Agency (2005)
  • Quantification of claims for Psychological Injury – Legal Services Agency (2004 and 2005)
  • Presentation: Medical Negligence – Quantification of Claims and Update – The Law Society (2004)
  • The Dentist and the Law – Royal Odonto – Chirurgical Society of Scotland (3 separate lectures in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee)
  • Cross examination of witnesses – with Charles Hennessy – Medical Negligence Scottish Young Lawyers
  • Human Rights and Medical Law – Central Law Training (2002)
  • Accidents to Children – Central Law Training and Glasgow Graduate School of Law (2002)
  • Negotiation in Personal Injury Actions – Scottish Young Lawyers Conference (with Professor C Hennessy, Solicitor Advocate)
  • Limitation in Personal Injury actions- Legal Services Agency (with Hugh Olson, Advocate) – October 2001
  • Expert witnesses – SLYA October 2001 Day Conference
  • Preparing a Medical Negligence Action for Court – Scottish Young Lawyers Conference
  • Children in Reparation Actions – Central Law Training – Fifth Annual Reparation Conference – November 2001
  • Conduct of a Civil Proof- Scottish Young Lawyers Annual Conference (with Professor C Hennessy, Solicitor Advocate) January 2000
  • Medical Law and Human Rights – Scottish Young Lawyers Conference October 2000
  • Preparation of a Reparation Action – Scottish Young Lawyers Annual Conference January 1999
  • Issues of Evidence in Personal Injury Actions – Glasgow Bar Association January 1998
  • Preparation of a Medical Negligence Action – Glasgow Bar Association
  • Fatal Accident Inquiries – SSC February 1996
  • Preparing and Conducting a Medical Negligence Action – Greens in conjunction with Strathclyde University October 1995
  • Psychological Injury and Stress at Work Claims – Legal Services Agency Conference
  • Preparing and Conducting a Medical Negligence Action – Greens in conjunction with Strathclyde University October 1995
  • Psychological Injury and Stress at Work Claims – Legal Services Agency Conference
  • Training Course for GP experts on giving evidence in court – with John Sturrock Q.C.

Teaching Experience

Lauren has previously lectured on Law and Ethics at Dundee Dental School covering issues of consent to medical treatment. She has lectured on Law and Ethics to Medical Students at Glasgow University. She taught on a course organised for the MDDUS and another for Employment Experts Ltd on the preparation of medical reports for court.

  • Teaching medical experts for Inspire MediLaw, 7-8 November 2022
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