TWO Scots law firms have merged to create an accredited medical and clinical negligence team.
The deal will see Drummond Miller join with Peacock Johnston, thereby uniting the medical negligence firm in the east of Scotland with its counterpart in the west of the country.
The 11-strong Peacock Johnston team – six lawyers and five other staff – will join the Glasgow office of Drummond Miller, which has 14 partners and 100 other employees across five offices, including headquarters in Union Street, Edinburgh.
Ian Hartley, Chief Operating Officer of Drummond Miller, said: “While both firms were already best-known in the medical and clinical negligence arena, this union takes us to an entirely new level.
“We hope it will give even greater confidence to clients pursuing cases, who are often extremely vulnerable people in damaging and distressing situations.”
Andrew Pollock, a partner at Peacock Johnston since 1993, added: “Beyond the clinical negligence work, this merger will also see us add real heft to Drummond Miller’s Glasgow office in terms of a litigation presence and in family law, employment law and criminal work, particularly in the Sheriff Court.
“It is extremely pleasing to be coming together with such a likeminded firm which shares our values and where we can continue to be proudly independent.”
Drummond Miller is rated as top tier by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 – recognised by the industry as the two most highly regarded independent guides to the best law firms and practitioners. Peacock Johnston is also highly rated by Chambers UK.
The merger will see Andrew and Susith Dematagoda, an accredited clinical negligence specialist, become partners at Drummond Miller.
Ken Waddell, a partner at Peacock Johnston since 2004 will work as a consultant, whilst Laura Ceresa, an accredited clinical negligence specialist, will also assume a consultant role.
While the financial details behind the deal remain confidential, the merger will add around 10% to Drummond Miller’s projected annual revenue.
In addition, demand from clinical and medical negligence cases is anticipated to grow over the coming months.
Drummond Miller’s origins date back to the 18th Century, with the firm in its current guise formed in 1991 by the merger of two established Edinburgh firms, Drummond & Company and Pairman, Miller & Murray.
In 2000 it acquired MacPhail & Co and L&L Lawrence to establish its Glasgow office, while in 2020 it expanded its Musselburgh business by taking over Alex Mitchell & Sons, which traces its history back 130 years.
It has been involved in many of the leading Scottish medical negligence cases in recent years including one of the longest running birth damage cases in the Court of Session.
Peacock Johnston was formed in 1981, and gained recognition as one of Glasgow’s leading court firms.
To provide continuity, the team joining from Peacock Johnston will continue to use the brand name with a majority of their existing clients, in the short to medium term.
