Peacock Johnston merges with Drummond Miller
The merger is announced today of two law firms respectively based in Edinburgh and Glasgow, both with a strong record in medical and clinical negligence.
The 11-strong team at Peacock Johnston – 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.
The merger will see Peacock Johnston partner Andrew Pollock and Susith Dematagoda, an accredited clinical negligence specialist, become partners at Drummond Miller. Court practitioner Ken Waddell, a partner at Peacock Johnston since 2004, and accredited clinical negligence specialist Laura Ceresa, will become consultants.
Financial details behind the deal remain confidential, but the merger is predicted to 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. The firm in its current guise formed in 1991 when Drummond & Co merged with 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. It has been involved in many medical negligence cases in recent years including one of the longest running birth damage cases in the Court of Session. Its practice also focuses on family law, immigration, private client and property and conveyancing.
Peacock Johnston was formed in 1981, and gained recognition as a Glasgow court practice, with a reputation in clinical and medical negligence law. To provide continuity, the team joining from Peacock Johnston will continue to use its brand name with a majority of their existing clients, in the short to medium term.
Ian Hartley, chief operating officer of Drummond Miller, commented: "While both firms were already best known in the medical and clinical negligence arena, this union takes us to an entirely new level.
"Together we become by far Scotland’s biggest expert in this field. We hope it will also give even greater confidence to clients pursuing cases, who are often extremely vulnerable people in damaging and distressing situations."
Andrew Pollock of Peacock Johnston 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 an excellent match. 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."