Leo Hofford QC

Year of Call 1990

Year of Silk 2008

Areas of Practice
Commercial, Criminal & Disciplinary, Damages, Public Law & Equality

General information

• BA University of Edinburgh
• LL.B University of Edinburgh
• Diploma in Legal Practice University of Edinburgh

Over 25 years Leo has gained considerable experience in all areas of Civil Litigation.  He has appeared in a number of high profile cases, including amongst others the successful Piper Alpha Appeal in which he acted for Elf Caledonia Ltd (Inner House, 1999); McGowan v Summit at Lloyds (Inner House, 2006); and South Esk Trust Limited v Angus Council (Inner House, 2007).  He has made regular appearances in both the Inner and Outer House of the Court of Session as well as at Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland.  He receives regular instructions in personal injury, commercial and medical negligence litigation.  The value of his case load has ranged from £0 to over £130 million, dealing with highly complex legal and quantification issues.  His cases range from catastrophic road traffic cases to occupational illnesses (such as asbestos and HAVS related litigation); from oil platform conflagrations (Piper Alpha) to medical negligence (most notably, cases involving birth asphyxia).  Leo has also been lead counsel in a number of civil jury trials relating to personal injury and fatal cases.  He is generally commended by agents and clients for his down-to-earth practical approach, his coolness under fire and the high success rate he tends to generate in cases undertaken by him; he is the favoured counsel for many of the larger firms and his diary is always busy.