11 March 2015
Scottish independent law firm bto solicitors has announced the appointment of James Ferguson as a consultant to service its insurance clients’ needs in Northern Ireland. James is a Partner of Ferguson and Company, a Northern Irish firm based in Belfast which has an established insurance practice.
James will be a valuable addition to bto’s insurance team, it having grown by on average 18% per annum over that last five years. The team handles small to multi-million pound claims and a number of major insurers feature among its portfolio of clients. This recent development with James arose as a result of clients’ interest in bto replicating its efficient insurance operation, and in particular its solicitor advocacy product in other jurisdictions.
A qualified Solicitor Advocate in Northern Ireland, James will deal with cases in Northern Ireland on behalf of bto using bto’s case systems, protocols and administrative support. bto Insurance Partner Angus Crawford, who is qualified to practice in Northern Ireland, will also be involved in handling work emanating from Northern Ireland.
James commented:
"I see working with bto as a great opportunity to bring something new to the Northern Ireland legal market, using bto’s efficient systems and participation in their solicitor advocacy product”
bto is a leading Scottish provider of solicitor advocacy services (representation in the highest courts in Scotland, tribunals and enquiries) through its ADVantage advocacy product. James is the thirteenth solicitor advocate to join the existing team of ten civil solicitor advocates and two criminal solicitor advocates - one of the largest active teams of solicitor advocates in Scotland offering clients a ‘one-stop-shop’. The solicitor advocates appear regularly on their own without instructing solicitors in attendance, avoiding duplication of cost. They only charge for time spent and do not charge disappointment fees.
In this regard, Bill Speirs, head of bto’s Insurance Group, said:
“Clients appreciate the fact that they can speak directly to the person conducting and presenting their case in court throughout the duration of their case. They also value having better control over all aspects of the case, including costs.”
Bill added:
“We are delighted to welcome James to bto. My colleagues and I were impressed by his enthusiasm and ambition and think that James will fit well in the bto team. It is great news that our effective means of running cases has led to this relationship with James and we look forward to working with him going forward to fulfil the aspirations of our growing client base.”