The firm of Thompsons Solicitors, which will now work for the people of Galashiels and the Scottish Borders, grew out of a radical campaigning law firm established in 1921 by William Henry “Harry” Thompson some 200 miles south of the Border, in England.
Harry Thompson was born and brought up in Preston, Lancashire. He attended Preston Grammar School and qualified as a solicitor in 1908, and then moved to Staffordshire to live and work. It was there that he he was introduced to the Trade Union movement. These were turbulent political times of depression, societal change, and war. For Harry, it was no different.
He was called up for service in World War but refused to be conscripted, instead serving several prison terms as an absolutist. Upon his liberation, he set up as a solicitor in private practice in London, with great success, becoming solicitor to future Prime Minister James Ramsay MacDonald, no less, amongst others.
He grew in stature as a Champion of Employment Rights and Civil Liberties, and specialised in Worker’s Compensation, becoming a renowned expert in the area. He also campaigned against the inequality of the Worker’s Compensation laws of the time, and campaigned for those affected by industrial disease, bringing the public gaze upon their suffering.
In time, in the twilight of his years, Harry passed the firm of W H Thompson, Solicitor, onto his two sons, Robin and Brian Thompson. The brothers had inherited their father’s passion for fighting injustice and carried the ball forwards, further pushing back the boundaries of personal injury and worker’s compensation.
By 1979, the ball was kicked northwards, and two partners and three support staff set up Robin Thompson and Partners, Scotland, in an office in Glenfinlas Street, Edinburgh. After a fire forced re-location to Castle Street, the Scottish firm put down roots, and has remained in Castle Street ever since. Today, Thompsons Solicitors, Scotland, has offices in Glasgow, Aberdeen and now Galashiels.
The modern day firm remains committed to the principles of Harry Thompson, the man who started it all. We champion Employment Rights, Civil Rights and Human Rights and work to secure recognition of those rights. We pursue justice and compensation for people who are injured or who are treated unfairly by their employer. And, unlike other firms, we never work for employers or those resisting others’ rights. It’s not personal - it’s just who we are and what we do.
