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Event

The Herald Law Awards for Scotland for 2024 was held on Friday, November 15 at the Marriott Hotel, Glasgow, celebrating the influential figures and firms in the Scottish legal sector.

The evening included a welcome drinks reception, 3 course meal, entertainment, official event programme, evening networking and the awards presentation.

ENTRY DEADLINE

Tuesday, September 10 – 6pm

EVENT DATE

Friday, November 15

EVENT TIME

6:30pm

EVENT LOCATION

Marriott Hotel, Argylle Street, Glasgow

Host

Rob Rinder

Rob Rinder is a barrister turned broadcaster and Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author. Called to the bar in 2001, Rob went on to specialise in cases involving international fraud, money laundering and other forms of financial crime, while working in media to make law more accessible. He started his broadcast career with Judge Rinder for ITV before going on to host his own BBC 5Live series Raising the Bar.

Rob’s participation in Who Do You Think You Are? retraced the story of his Holocaust survivor grandfather and received a BAFTA. The BBC series he presented, The Holocaust, My Family and Me, was aired to wide critical acclaim. In 2020, Rob was awarded an MBE for his services to Holocaust education and an honorary doctorate for his legal work.

A regular host on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Rob co-hosts BBC Two’s Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobbyand has recently filmed a new travel show, The Grand Tour, which will see Rob and his co-host Rylan retrace the footsteps of cultural greats around Italy.

Rob’s novels The Trial and The Suspect are inspired by his experiences as a barrister.

Categories

Criminal Law Firm of the Year

This category is open to firms across Scotland that focus either specifically or mainly on criminal work. Entry requirements:

  1. Examples of success in the criminal law area
  2. Details of where innovation was used to deliver effective criminal legal services
  3. Evidence of successful achievement over the past 12 months
  4. Details of significant staff recruitment cases or promotions

Rising Star at the Scottish Bar

This category is open to all advocates who have been called for 7 years and under and will also be open to third party entries and Judges’ selection. This award focuses on Advocates tipped for great things by their colleagues, peers, and the solicitor profession.

Entry requirements:

  1. Evidence of significant legal skills and the ability to deliver excellent legal services within their chosen field
  2. Details of significant cases involved in during the past 12 months
  3. Provide a reference from an instructing solicitor

Innovation Award – sponsored by The Law Society of Scotland

This category is open to individuals, firms, faculties, in-house teams or legal societies/organisations that can demonstrate how they have improved the practice of law using new techniques.

Entry requirements (at least one):

  1. Evidence of new working practices and the impact they have had
  2. Evidence of new business streams and how they have enhanced the overall business offering
  3. Evidence of new processes developed in-house and the impact it has had

Paralegal of the Year

This category is open to accredited Paralegals working within Scotland for individual entries, but will also be open to third-party entries and judges selection.

Entry requirements:

  1. Evidence of significant skills and the ability to deliver paralegal services within chosen field
  2. Demonstrate innovative approaches to meeting and exceeding client expectations
  3. Examples of significant achievements from the past 12 months
  4. Provide a reference from a partner or manager from within your firm or organisation

Up and Coming Award

This category is open to solicitors with up to seven years of post-qualification experience for individual entries, but will also be open to third-party entries and judges selection.

Entry requirements:

  1. Achievements from the past 12 months
  2. Individual’s impact within their team/department
  3. Evidence of client satisfaction & contribution to the success of the firm or organisation
  4. Commitment to developing personal business & leadership skills within the firm or organisation

Solicitor of the Year – sponsored by The Law Society of Scotland

This category is open for entries, but will also be open to third-party entries and judges selection.

Entry requirements:

  1. Evidence of significant legal skills and the ability to deliver legal services within chosen field
  2. Demonstrate innovative approaches to meeting client demands
  3. Examples of significant achievements from the past 12 months
  4. Provide examples of taking the lead on implementing at least one innovative project

Litigation Team of the Year – sponsored by Stirling Park

This category is open to firms or teams that focus specifically on litigation work.

Entry requirements:

  1. Details of significant cases and examples of excellence in legal practice
  2. Examples of the impact the litigation team’s performance has had on the firm’s financial growth
  3. Overview of the team structure
  4. Details of significant lateral recruitment and promotions

High Street Firm of the Year

This category is open to firms across Scotland involved in traditional high street practice.

Entry requirements:

  1. Must be able to demonstrate a strategic vision for developing the firm
  2. Evidence of strong financial management
  3. Examples of success in chosen field of expertise
  4. Details of commitment given to staff development

Debt Recovery Team of the Year – sponsored by Stirling Park

This category is open to firms, teams or organisations that focus specifically on debt recovery work.

Entry requirements:

  1. Details of significant cases and examples of excellence in legal practice
  2. Examples of the impact the insolvency team’s performance has had on the firm’s financial growth
  3. Overview of the team structure
  4. Details of significant lateral recruitment and promotions

Family and Child Law Team of the Year

This category is open to firms or teams with a Family & Child Law focus.

Entry requirements:

  1. Details of significant cases and examples of excellence in their specialism.
  2. Examples of the impact the Family & Child Law team’s performance has had on the firm’s financial growth
  3. Overview of the team structure
  4. Provide evidence of client satisfaction and the difference the team made

CSR Award

This category is open to firms, faculties, in-house teams or legal societies/organisations that can demonstrate a clear commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Entry requirements:

  1. Clear and concise demonstration of your organisation’s CSR strategy & objectives, including how this involves staff and what activities are involved
  2. Details of your organisation’s financial investment towards your CSR strategy
  3. Examples of the tangible benefits to both the organisation and external parties involved in your CSR strategy
  4. Evidence of proven results that show your organisation’s investment has had a beneficial effect and achieved targets
  5. Examples of client and staff testimonials that value your activity

Pro-Bono Award

This category is open to firms, faculties, in-house teams or legal societies/organisations that can demonstrate a clear commitment to pro-bono work.

Entry requirements:

  1. Clear and concise demonstration of your organisation’s approach to pro-bono work
  2. Details of your organisation’s financial investment in pro-bono, for example in terms of billable hours committed
  3. Evidence of proven results that show your firm’s investment has had a beneficial effect and achieved targets
  4. Examples of client and staff testimonials that value your activity

Law Firm of the Year – Scottish Independents – sponsored by Idex Consulting

This category is open to independent law firms which are headquartered in Scotland.

Entry requirements:

  1. Details of a strategic vision that achieved significant success for your firm
  2. Evidence of strong financial performance
  3. Examples of success in your firm’s chosen field of expertise
  4. Details of the commitment to staff development
  5. Evidence of a commitment to promoting equality & diversity in the legal profession

Law Firm of the Year – sponsored by Idex Consulting

This category is open to firms that are headquartered outside Scotland but which either have a strong presence inside Scotland OR can demonstrate significant success working on Scottish matters.

Entry requirements:

  1. Must be able to demonstrate the contribution the firm makes to the Scottish legal profession
  2. Evidence of work on Scottish matters. A Scottish matter is one that involves at least one significant Scottish party
  3. Details of commitment given to staff development in Scotland

Details of the firm’s strategic vision for developing its Scottish practice

In-House Lawyer of the Year

This category is open to all solicitors who work in the legal department of either a Scottish business or organisation (in either the private or public sector), OR a non-Scottish business or organisation which has a demonstrably strong presence in Scotland.  It will also be open to third party entries or Judges’ selection.

Entry Requirements :-

  1. Briefly describe your business or organisation and its areas of responsibility
  2. How the individual has made the legal process “key” within their business or organisation
  3. Examples of innovative delivery of legal services
  4. Evidence of the professional development of the individual over the past 12 months
  5. Provide a reference from an executive/officer from within your business or organisation

Employment and Pensions Team of the Year

This category is open to firms or teams with an Employment & Pensions focus.

Entry requirements:

  1. Details of significant cases and examples of excellence in Employment & Pensions Law
  2. Examples of the impact the Employment & Pensions team’s performance has had on the firm’s financial growth
  3. Overview of the team structure
  4. Provide evidence of client satisfaction and the difference the team made

Outstanding Contribution Award

This award will pay tribute to an individual in law who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of the Scottish legal profession. Judges will look for evidence of how this individual has advanced the field of law and whose efforts, dedication, and commitment has supported the legal industry in Scotland.

Entry Requirements

Once you have decided on the category, or categories, you would like to enter, please click the Enter Now button where you will be directed to our Awards Entry form.

A Word document version of the form will be available for working offline.

If you have any questions regarding the entry process, please see the FAQ section below or get in touch via the details at the bottom of this page.

Entries for the 2024 awards are now closed.

Ticket sales for this year’s awards are available now!

Judges

Colin Anderson

Director and Company Secretary, LEAD Scotland

Colin took early retirement from the position of Legal Manager at Standard Life in April 2012, having worked there in a variety of roles for 26 years.   A graduate of Dundee University, his legal career began with his apprenticeship at the then firm of Baillie & Gifford in Edinburgh followed by 8 years at Shepherd & Wedderburn.  During his time at Standard Life, he was involved in a wide variety of legal work, and latterly managed a team of some 25, both lawyers and non-lawyers.

Colin joined the Committee of the In-House Lawyers Group in 1988, serving until October 2012 and was the Vice-Chairman for the last 15 years he was on the Committee.  He was made an Honorary Life Member of the In-House Lawyers Group in February 2013.  Colin has been a Fellow of The Law Society of Scotland since October 2019.

He represented the Edinburgh constituency on the Council of The Law Society of Scotland from May 2014 to May 2020. He served on the Society’s Management Board from October 2015 to May 2020. He is a current Member of the Society’s Admissions sub-Committee; Nominations Committee and the Planning Law sub-Committee.

Colin was appointed a Director and Company Secretary of the Scottish Charity, Lead Scotland in October 2015.

Colin was given a Special Recognition Award for “Doing” at the 2013 Law Awards of Scotland Dinner.

Outwith work, Colin enjoys foreign travel and is a keen follower of football and golf, and a collector of antiquarian law books.

Meena Bahanda

Head of Legal – Scotland, Idex Consulting

Meena has over 20 years’ experience recruiting in the legal sector and has recruited at all levels from Paralegal up to Senior Associate and Partner level. Although she focusses predominately on the Scottish market, she also has extensive experience operating with firms in the Channel Islands and London.

She deals with both in-house and private practice clients including international, magic & silver circle and mid-tier to boutique firms, covering a range of specialism’s including IP/IT, Corporate, Banking, Contracts, Employment, Family, Commercial and Residential Property and Private Client.

Patricia Thom

Vice President of the Law Society of Scotland

Patricia originally qualified in Canada with an LLB from Saskatchewan and then as a barrister and solicitor in the Northwest Territories and Alberta. After practicing there for five years she emigrated to Scotland and requalified as a Scottish solicitor.

On qualification in Scotland, Patricia began work with the Scottish Regional Council which, following reorganisation, became the Scottish Borders Council. She advised on a range of legal matters from copyright to IT contracts though her main responsibilities were to the Social Work Department and Education.

Patricia left the Scottish Borders Council after 13 years to join a high street private practice. Most of her practice work involved civil court practice with an emphasis on family law and applications in connection with adults with incapacity. Patricia left that firm after eight years to start up her own practice which, while dealing with executries, and employment law, was mainly focused on family law and adults with incapacity law. While running her own practice in 2015, she was elected to the Law Society Council as the representative for the Scottish Borders and East Lothian. In 2018 Patricia joined another local high street practice to manage their civil court department and in February 2020 became Convener for the Law Society’s Civil Legal Aid Committee.

Patricia retired from practice in 2021. She is a Safeguarder, Curator and Child Welfare Reporter and continues to sit on the Law Society Council.

Patricia is the current Vice President, becoming President of the Law Society of Scotland 2025/26 in May 2025.

Arlene McDaid

Founder, Legal Hackers Scotland

Arlene is an experienced commercial lawyer – Solicitor Advocate (Scotland, England & Wales) and Attorney-at-Law (New York) – and an accredited civil & commercial mediator. She is the founder of Legal Hackers Scotland, which is part of a global movement of lawyers, technologists, academics and policymakers working at the intersection of law and technology. She has a particular interest in harnessing legal technology to advance access to justice around the world. She serves on the Law Society of Scotland’s Access to Justice and Legal Technologist Accreditation committees.

Usman Tariq

Advocate, Ampersand Advocates

Usman Tariq is an Advocate. He specialises in commercial dispute resolution and public law. He has appeared at all levels of the Scottish court system, including the UK Supreme Court. He has held various professional appointments, including as Standing Junior Counsel to the UK Government in Scotland, a full-time Advocate Depute at the Crown Office, Junior Counsel to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and as a member of the Judicial Panel of the Scottish Football Association. He is a recent alumnus of the US Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). He is a co-founder of Scottish Ethnic Minorities Lawyers Association (SEMLA). He was named “Advocate of the Year” at the Law Awards of Scotland 2017. He was also named by the Legal 500 as “Junior Counsel of the Year” at the Scottish Bar at its UK Awards 2019.

Alex Prentice KC, Crown Counsel

Having been an experienced defence lawyer for many years, Mr. Prentice was appointed as an Advocate Depute in 2005 and has prosecuted many of Scotland’s high-profile cases, including the recent “cold cases” relating to the murders of Renee MacRae and her son near Inverness in 1976 and Brenda Page in Aberdeen in 1978 . He has secured convictions in six murder cases where the bodies have never been recovered.
He took silk in 2007
He has held all of the senior positions in the Crown Counsel team and is presently responsible for prosecuting complex and significant cases along with a training role for High Court prosecutors. Mr Prentice KC was the winner of The Herald Law Awards of Scotland Outstanding Achievement Award in 2022.

Rebecca Samaras

Director of Clinical Legal Education, University of Dundee

A practising solicitor, Rebecca was appointed Director of Clinical Legal Education and Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Dundee in April 2023 where she is responsible for leading Dundee Law School’s clinical legal education programme. This includes the development of a new Dundee Law Clinic which will serve Dundee and surrounding areas. A former Director of the Diploma in Professional Legal Studies and more recently, the Director of Clinical Legal Education and Pro Bono at the University of Edinburgh where she was also the Director of the Free Legal Advice Centre, she has extensive experience in teaching legal and core skills. Rebecca is a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Access to Justice Committee, the Access to Justice Foundation Scotland Committee and the Scottish University Law Clinic Network. She is a Trustee of both the Clinical Legal Education Organisation and the Access to Justice Foundation.

Murray McCall

Managing Partner, Anderson Strathern

Murray is Managing Partner of Scotland’s oldest law firm and plays a key role delivering the firm’s strategy.

Before moving to management, Murray was a specialist employment lawyer acting for major companies and public bodies.  He joined Anderson Strathern in 2006, combining a busy caseload whilst also establishing the Glasgow office.  He was elected MP in September 2014 and is about to enter his fourth term of office.

Murray has won various awards including Manager of the Year at the Herald Law Awards 2021 and Law Firm of the Year at the Herald Law Awards 2019

Kenny Robertson

Head of Outsourcing, Technology & IP, Legal, Governance & Regulatory Affairs, The Royal Bank of Scotland

Kenny heads the Outsourcing, Technology & IP legal team at NatWest, leading a progressive and award-winning team which supports some of the largest technology transactions in the UK.   He is heavily involved in the legal department’s innovation agenda, and Chairs the Law Society of Scotland’s Wellbeing Steering Group.  He was named the In-House Lawyer of the Year at the 2018 Law Awards of Scotland and the 2019 Scottish Legal Awards and is a Fellow of the US-based College of Law Practice Management.

FAQ

Who can enter?

Anyone working within the legal sector in Scotland.

Any entries received for a 3rd party will be notified of those submitting the entry should they be selected as a finalist within the shortlist.

Why should I enter?

Not only does being shortlisted for (or better yet, winning) an award present a fantastic opportunity to be recognised as outstanding within the legal sector, it is also a major morale boost for you, or your workforce, and is a great PR opportunity both at the event and long after. If you win, you will also receive a trophy for your display cabinet as well as winners badges you can use online and in print collateral!

How do I enter?

You must complete our online entry form to submit a nomination or download the Word document and submit directly. Head to the ‘How to Enter’ section above for instructions.

Can I enter more than one category?

You can submit as many nominations as you like across all the different categories. The categories and the criteria for each can be found in the ‘Categories’ section above.

What is the deadline for entries?

The entry deadline is Tuesday, September 10 2024 at 6pm.

Can I submit additional information?

Yes, you can upload supporting documents within the application form as applicable to the criteria.

How much does it cost?

It is free to enter the awards.

Tickets to attend the awards are available and prices are:

Individual Ticket – £230

Table of 10 – £2,200

Table of 12 – £2,600

Prices include VAT and fees

What happens next once I’ve entered?

Once you have submitted an entry, we will add your nomination to the judging pack for consideration. Once the judging has taken place, we will contact you to let you know if your entry has been shortlisted or not.

How does the judging process work?

All the entries we receive will be considered by our judging panel at the judging session in September. Please note that the shortlist and winners are decided solely by our panel and do not come down to a public vote or number of nominations received.

We reserve the right to move entrants within categories if we feel their criteria is better suited to another award, to remove categories or to update or add new categories during the awards process.

When will the shortlist be announced?

The shortlist will be announced on heraldscotland.com, in The Herald, and on this website in September 2024.

When will the winners be announced?

The winners will be announced at our glamourous awards ceremony on Friday 15th November in Glasgow. For more information and to purchase tickets, head to the Event section.

What do I do if I have more questions?

We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have regarding the entry process or event. Please contact Events Manager, Sharon Franchetti on 07990 551 065 or Sharon.Franchetti@newsquest.co.uk with any enquiries.