The contract was awarded through a competitive tender process and will be delivered over the next two years, with two potential one-year extensions.
Morton Fraser has a longstanding relationship with Police Scotland, having provided a range of legal support including firearms licensing, personal injury and public protection work since Police Scotland’s inception in 2013. Through this appointment, Morton Fraser will begin acting for the SPA for the first time ever.
The firm will provide guidance on employment law, as well as general legal and litigation advice, to both organisations. However, the contract now includes support with inquiries and reviews – including fatal accident inquiries and statutory inquiries.
David Hossack, partner in Morton Fraser’s litigation division, said: “This appointment is a significant achievement for our public sector team and we are thrilled to continue working with Police Scotland, and begin working with the SPA, providing support on a range of unique and sensitive pieces of work.”
The new appointment for inquiries and reviews will draw on Morton Fraser’s expertise in the area, having acted in several notable inquiries that include representing Air Accident Investigation Branch in the Clutha inquiry.
Jenny Dickson, partner and solicitor advocate on the public sector team and head of inquiries, commented: “We live in a society where inquiries are a popular means to understanding how a serious event took place, and over the past few years, we have built up substantial expertise guiding clients through these processes.
“These are an important way of raising public awareness of issues and identifying practices which could be improved in the future to deliver better outcomes, and we are looking forward to bringing our knowledge to Police Scotland and the SPA.”
