David Gildea
Founder, Scottish Claims Helpline
Qualified Paralegal · Scottish Paralegal Association · FCA Regulated (FRN 830381)
ABOUT DAVID GILDEA
David Gildea is the founder of Scottish Claims Helpline and a qualified paralegal with over 30 years of experience in Scottish legal practice, claims management, and technology. He is the first qualified and registered paralegal to have won a court case in Scotland.
Legal Career
David Gildea began his legal career in 1991 at Gildea’s Solicitors, the Glasgow firm founded by his father James Gildea. Over a decade working within a Scottish solicitors’ practice, David developed a thorough grounding in Scottish legal procedure, court practice, and client representation — experience that underpins his work at Scottish Claims Helpline today.
During his time in legal practice, David qualified as a paralegal and made history by becoming the first qualified and registered paralegal in Scotland to win a court case. The case was a road traffic accident claim successfully concluded before the Scottish courts. This remains a significant distinction in Scottish legal history and reflects both David’s technical legal knowledge and his capability to represent clients in proceedings.
Technology Career
Following his decade in legal practice, David pursued a career in software development, bringing specialist legal domain knowledge into complex technology environments. He worked as a developer for the Serjeant at Arms at the House of Commons, Westminster Parliament, and subsequently for the Treasury Solicitor’s Department (now His Majesty’s Government Legal Department) — the principal legal adviser to the UK Government. This unusual combination of frontline legal practice and senior government technology work is central to how Scottish Claims Helpline operates: built entirely on custom software designed, developed and maintained by David himself.
Founding Scottish Claims Helpline
David founded Scottish Claims Helpline to give people across Scotland direct access to specialist no win no fee legal representation — without the barriers of cost, complexity, or geography. Drawing on his background in Scottish legal practice, his paralegal qualification, and over a decade of senior technology experience, he built the entire platform from the ground up.
Over more than 11 years of operation, Scottish Claims Helpline has referred thousands of clients to specialist Scottish solicitors, contributing to over £5.8 million in verified client compensation across equal pay, employment law, personal injury and consumer claims. David personally assesses every claim before referral and is the author of all content published on this website.
Qualifications & Experience
- Qualified Paralegal — Scottish Paralegal Association
- First qualified and registered paralegal to win a court case in Scotland (road traffic accident claim)
- 10 years in legal practice at Gildea’s Solicitors, Glasgow (1991–2001)
- Software developer — Serjeant at Arms, House of Commons, Westminster Parliament
- Software developer — Treasury Solicitor’s Department, UK Government
- Founder, Scottish Claims Helpline — FCA authorised and regulated (FRN 830381)
Areas of Expertise
- Personal injury claims under Scottish law
- Equal pay claims — Scottish councils and supermarkets
- Employment law group actions
- Scottish court procedures (Sheriff Court and Court of Session)
- FCA regulated claims management
- Claims management technology and systems
Content authorship: David Gildea is the author of the service pages, blog posts and case studies published on scottishclaimshelpline.co.uk. All content is reviewed by a qualified Scottish solicitor before publication. Scottish Claims Helpline is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (
FRN 830381). Last updated: March 2026.