Job Title 

Business Partner (Head of Business Development, Referral Partnerships and Strategy)

About Jayne

Jayne is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh and trained and qualified at Thompsons, after joining the firm as a student in 2003. She became a Partner in 2016 and has since taken on an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the firm’s strategy and services offering.

Currently, Jayne holds the position of Business Partner (Head of Business Development, Referral Partnerships and Strategy). In this role, she leads the firm’s business development efforts, overseeing strategic initiatives and managing key relationships with referral partners which includes charities, institutions, and partner law firms. Jayne is therefore responsible for aligning the firm’s strategies with the evolving needs of clients in the broader legal market.

In addition to her strategic responsibilities, Jayne has oversight of marketing objectives related to the firm's charity and B2B relationships and plays a collaborative role in shaping the firms wider marketing objectives through multiple platforms. She plays a crucial role in strengthening the firm’s presence within the sector, focusing on enhancing its profile as a leading firm through strategic marketing initiatives aimed at fostering long-term partnerships and expanding business opportunity. 

Expertise

Jayne has had a distinguished career managing complex and high-value serious and fatal injury cases. Her expertise spans the entire personal injury spectrum, from road traffic collisions to workplace injuries. In her early years at the firm her work was instrumental in ensuring pursuers with industrial disease were able to access justice through compensation claims. Throughout her career, Jayne has been committed to maximising clients’ recovery through rehabilitation and ensuring they are supported throughout their journey. 

Before stepping into her current role, Jayne was the Head of the firm’s Fatal and Serious Injury Team where she demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to securing the best outcomes for those who had suffered catastrophic injuries. Her vast experience includes litigating at the Court of Session, handling proofs, jury trials, and appeals to the Inner House, as well as cases in the Sheriff Courts.

She also previously held the position of Head of Thompsons’ Accident Team in the East Coast, dealing primarily with referrals from trade union partners. Under her leadership the team became known for its rigorous approach to managing difficult cases and achieving exceptional results for its clients. 

Notable Successes

Jayne has consistently achieved success in high-profile, large-value claims. Some of her most notable cases include:

• Rosemary Cairns v Northern Lighthouse Board and Calypso Marine Ltd (Lord Drummond Young, 7th February 2013),
• David Lyons v WM Morrison Supermarkets Plc (Lord Malcolm 2010),
• Megan Robertson v Horses in Scotland Ltd (Lord McPhail, 22nd March 2007),
• Jury trial Carmichael v Isola (UK) Ltd (Lord Bracadale and Jury, 19th May 2005) referred to in Civil Jury Trials (2ndEdition) AM HadjuckiQC,2006.
• Securing multi-million-pound settlements in cases involving traumatic amputation, where the likes of pioneering ‘osseointegration’ technology was used for prosthesis.

In the News

• Widow of pedestrian killed by Edinburgh tram reacts after company fined £240,000 | STV News
• Families raise fears over vulnerable patients leaving wards - BBC News
• BBC News - Death cadet parents sue MoD for £525,000
• Widow backs calls for fire safety review at Perth recycling site - BBC News

What Clients Say About Jayne

“Thoroughly professional service. I felt that I was placed at the centre of my claim and always had any concerns or questions answered swiftly. My lawyer Jayne always gave me confidence that my case would be resolved to a satisfactory level and it ended up exceeding my expectations. Thank you to all involved. I would not hesitate to recommend Thompsons to anyone who experienced a personal injury.”

"My experience with Jayne Crawford was first class, I would recommend Jayne to anyone who I know that needs this kind of service."

"As I’ve never been involved with a claim against any company over my life’s working time, it is, as you know, all new to me. In the end I would like to say that my solicitor, Jayne Crawford, did a thoroughly and wonderfully professional job from start to finish and kept me up to speed in on her progress in my case. It was a really interesting outcome and rewarding for me. I do think Jayne Crawford was very, very pleased as well and I can’t thank her enough. Absolutely well done, professional job!!"

"Thank you very much to Thompsons Solicitors, especially Jayne Crawford and Glen Millar for their efficiency, commitment and perseverance, in their handling of my compensation claim and obtaining a satisfactory settlement.”

“I could never have got through the time since Jayne Crawford and the Team at Thompsons took over the case of late husband’s claim alone. Through the whole traumatic time, the most amazing support came from them, always looking at the best interest of me, always at reach, always keeping me informed. I will always be super grateful to you all. Very blessed that you took care of me.”

“I would completely and 100% recommend Thompsons. I just want to say thank you so much, after speaking with Jayne Crawford I realised that Jayne and the firm had the necessary expertise to advise me going forward. At every step of my journey, through the crisis, Jayne has been very thoughtful, caring and considerate. Through the process at any time and in any situation, I was answered and guided with expert advice. I really appreciate their work; it made such a big difference for us.”

What Other Lawyers Say About Jayne

“Jayne has instructed me on cases for fast approaching 20 years. She is diligent, communicates well with clients, and has throughout that time demonstrated a real passion to do well for them. She is truly exceptional in her ability to maximise the value of every case she has. She does this by working closely with her dedicated team to ensure that there is a plan in place for every case, which is regularly checked by her. She always knows which expert is “right” for each individual case, and it’s obvious that she applies great care and consideration to the cases of those she acts for. I always ask her view on any offer received as I know she will always have a strong opinion to share. She is a very capable champion of her clients’ cause and I have no hesitation in recommending her.”

Anonymous, Advocate 

Qualifications

Notary Public
Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Edinburgh
LLB (Hons) Law, University of Edinburgh