New Scotland office opens with leading lawyer at the helm

Steven Smart joins Horwich Farrelly to lead new Glasgow office

Just months after opening our office in Northern Ireland, Steven Smart will join as a partner bringing Scottish expertise in motor, EL and PL, as well as legal expenses claims. Under his leadership, we aim to build a strong reputation for the firm in Scotland.

Steven, 37 and from Glasgow, joins Horwich Farrelly from Simpson Marwick following its merger with Clyde & Co in 2015. Recognised by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in personal injury law and a council member of the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow, he is a leading figure in courts throughout Scotland and has helped forge key relationships with major insurer and commercial clients.

With a breadth of experience in the market which includes practising in disease, historic abuse and regulatory claims, Steven has been involved in a number of significant cases, such as appeals to the House of Lords concerning limitation in abuse cases and to the Inner House of the Court of Session regarding the applicability of workplace regulations.  He has also successfully defended numerous fraudulent claims in the Scottish Courts.

“This is an exciting time to join Horwich Farrelly,” explains Steven.  “I am delighted to join such a progressive and innovative firm as they celebrate their 50th year and open their first office in Scotland.

“Watching the team grow in England, Wales and more recently Northern Ireland, I have been really impressed with their real and genuine commitment to listening to clients and adopting fresh strategies to meet their needs. So much so that Horwich Farrelly have become a leading name in litigation throughout the U.K.  It is apparent that clients appreciate the firm’s approach and overall ethos, which is very much in line with my own values.  I therefore feel very privileged to be opening the Glasgow office in order that Horwich Farrelly can offer the same dedicated and focussed service in Scotland.”

Adding that he was looking forward to applying his expertise to the particular challenges facing clients in his part of the country, Steven said: “Various legislative changes, including the pending introduction of QOCS, have left many companies, local authorities and organisations feeling that litigation in Scotland is too expensive, putting an ever greater burden upon them during difficult and uncertain times.  At Horwich Farrelly however, we strive to modernise the manner in which cases are progressed so as to reduce the overall cost of litigation.  Inevitably there will be challenges in doing so, but we relish rising to, and overcoming, them.”

Ronan McCann, Managing Partner at Horwich Farrelly added:  “Steven’s experience, reputation and attitude will be instrumental in the success of our move into Scotland. Coming soon after our expansion into Northern Ireland and the appointment of a new Head of Finance and Business Development Director in Heather Sanders and Rachael O’Regan respectively, his appointment – and the opening of the Glasgow office – underpins our vision to invest in the very best minds in insurance law across the UK so that we can help clients reduce their costs through our technical, strategic and operational expertise.”