Biography

Caroline heads up BTO’s employment team of five employment lawyers which provides “excellent service from general advice to tribunal representation” (The Legal 500). She has been accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a Specialist in Employment Law since 2001.

With vast experience in advising clients on all aspects of employment law, Caroline is well known for her practical and user friendly approach to finding solutions for clients and advising them on strategic employment issues. She is viewed as "very approachable and straightforward" and “a tenacious lawyer who fights to the end” (Chambers UK) - “second to none.” (The Legal 500).

Caroline advises a range of employers in a variety of sectors from plcs and construction companies to law firms, accountants and registered social landlords. She has the added advantage of advising senior executives on the full spectrum of employment law issues and therefore she sees the issues from both sides. She also acts for the insured of global insurers under their employment practices liability insurance.

As businesses in many sectors become more regulated, Caroline is known for ‘getting on top’ of clients’ employment issues and understanding the regulatory regime under which her clients operate, resulting in first class tactical advice. She is praised for her “high-quality” guidance and her “adroit handling of factually difficult cases” (Chambers UK). She also works closely with colleagues in the firm’s commercial and corporate teams advising on the employment aspects of acquisitions and business transfers to ensure staff matters are handled with care and to allow clients to concentrate on running their businesses.

Caroline has extensive experience of successfully representing clients at Employment Tribunals and Employment Appeal Tribunals throughout the UK. She has a successful track record of defending her employer clients at the Employment Tribunal in cases where clients wanted to defend their position. She has achieved equal success for employer clients in negotiating exit packages which ensure the smooth, swift and efficient exit of employees and, where possible, for business as usual to be maintained.

Caroline has also built up a niche area of expertise in working closely with colleagues in BTO’s Professional Discipline and Clinical Defence team advising doctors, consultants and dentists who experience employment and disciplinary difficulties, which can significantly impact on their professional reputation and career. Caroline represents the interests of clinicians as members of various medical and dental defence organisations and also clinicians who are not in such organisations.

External Appointments: Caroline is a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Employment Law Group and the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers. She is also a frequent speaker at external employment training sessions for clients and enjoys training others on how to manage employment law issues in the workplace.

After Hours: Tennis, golf and travel.