ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Over 60 interviews and consultations were conducted during the course of this project. The research on which this report is based could never have been undertaken without the participation of all those who shared their experience of personal injury litigation in frank and self-reflective discussions. They included solicitors, advocates and solicitor advocates; defenders, law accountants and expert witnesses; judges and court staff. In particular, I must thank those who practice and work in the Court of Session for giving so generously of their time and never hesitating to explain and elaborate issues arising from the introduction of a new procedure for personal injury actions. They did so with care, with humour and with infinite patience.
The Personal Injury Users Group opened its meetings to the research and supported it in innumerable ways. Individual members provided useful contacts and made most helpful suggestions, particularly in the early stages of the study. Three members of the PIUG, however, deserve special mention. I am indebted to The Hon Lady Paton for her commitment to the research, and particularly for 'making things happen' at several critical points. Robert Cockburn, Deputy Principal Clerk of Session, supported the research from its inception, identifying issues of concern and providing solutions to seemingly intractable methodological problems. Throughout the course of the study Yvonne Anderson, Deputy in Charge of the Offices of the Court of Session, was inundated with requests for data. She never failed to attend to them and, with the assistance of Chris Munn in the Keeper's Office, to produce what was sought.
At the stage of data collection, Shirley Davidson played a major role in the research. She interviewed over half of all the informants, which she undertook with skill and professionalism. She also helped gather the quantitative data from the Court Management System and from court processes in the basement of Parliament House, a task made bearable by her companionship and the hospitality shown to us by Tom Simpson. I benefited enormously from Shirley's insights into the legal community and her understanding of legal procedure. While final responsibility rests with the author, I welcome the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of Shirley and the input, support and encouragement of so many others.
Elaine Samuel
School of Social and Political Studies
University of Edinburgh
February 2007