Patrick McGuire (solicitor)

Patrick McGuire is a Scottish solicitor and solicitor advocate.^[1] He is a partner with personal injury law firm Thompsons Solicitors.^[2]

He is known for his campaigning on issues relating to the rights of victims of accident and disease, including calling for and serving as the Recognised Legal Representative in three of the four Public inquiries held in Scotland since the Inquiries Act 2005 came into force: the ICL / Stockline Public Inquiry;^[3] the Vale of Leven Hospital Public Inquiry (C-difficile);^[4] and the Penrose Inquiry (infected blood products causing Hepatitis C and HIV).^[5] Other victim-related campaigns include PiP breast implants,^[6] Depuy hip replacements,^[7] cyclists injured as a result of Edinburgh’s tram works^[8] and Edinburgh City Council’s handling of babies ashes at MortonHall Crematorium.^[9]

In 2005 his work with trade unions on corporate homicide led to him being appointed as the STUC's legal adviser to the panel of experts set up by the Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson, to consider the issue of corporate killing in Scotland.^[10]

More recently Patrick has been involved in campaigning for a review of the civil justice system in Scotland^[11] and reform of Scotland’s Fatal Accident Inquiry system.^[12]

He also serves on the Law Society of Scotland’s Access to Justice Committee.^[13]

Notable cases

• Patrick Davidson v Lothian & Borders Fire Brigade, which established that, despite the need to ensure that fire-fighters are properly and fully trained, fire-fighters still have the same rights under the health and safety legislation as any other employee.^[14]

• Clement v Scottish Ambulance Service and Skinner v Scottish Ambulance Service, which established that use of traditional needles by branches of the NHS could be considered a breach of the country's health and safety legislation.^[15]

References