Legal Director

Kate Donachie

Kate has represented defenders in personal injury claims for over 15 years. Her expertise includes health & safety prosecutions, public inquiries and administrative matters. Her caseload is predominantly complex and high value claims where she uses her specialist expertise to provide strategic and case by case advice to a variety of clients. She regularly acts on behalf of corporate clients, insurers and public authorities. She also provides advice and representation to Charities and Third Sector organisations in relation to their management of risk and liability and in the context of litigation and claims.

Kate has a sound understanding of the actuarial approach to complex future losses and most recently the impact of the new personal injury discount rate. She was involved in the scrutiny of Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings)(Scotland) Act when it was passing through the Scottish Parliament and gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament in relation to the Damages (Investment Returns and Periodical Payments) (Scotland) Act which has changed the method of calculating the discount rate in Scotland.

Living Brodies' values

Kate regularly collaborates with the insurance sector to represent their interests on prospective changes to personal injury law.

Highlights

Regularly presents at seminars on developments in personal injury law.
Chair of FOIL Scotland's large & complex loss group.

‘Laura MacMillan and Kate Donachie are both exceptional in the amount of effort they put into case preparation, in their grasp of detail, both factual and legal, attention to clients’ needs, and in having a common-sense approach to resolving problems.’

Legal 500 UK 2024

'She is a really strong and technical lawyer.'

Chambers UK 2024

'Kate Donachie is dependable and commercial in her approach towards resolving litigation.'

Legal 500 UK 2021

'They really take the time to understand their client’s culture and, just as importantly, adapt to when this changes. Special mention to Elena Fry and Kate Donachie for their approach and their outstanding case and client management abilities.'

Legal 500 UK 2021