The search to identify the nation’s most outstanding legal figures starts today with the launch of The Herald Law Awards of Scotland 2025 in association with 123 Medical Services.
The awards are now in their third decade and since being launched they have come to be recognised as the most prestigious accolades of their kind, highlighting those outstanding individuals and practices who have contributed to the reputation of Scotland’s highly regarded legal profession.
This year the judges, who number amongst them some of the most significant legal figures in the country, will carry on the rigorous search for excellence that has been the hallmark of the awards since the outset and applicants have until Thursday, 4 September to complete and return their entry forms.
This year there are 19 categories in total including, for the first time, a Junior Counsel of the Year award, which is open to all junior advocates who have been called for more than five years and have not yet taken silk; a Strategic Transactions Team of the Year Award, aimed at firms and teams that demonstrate excellence in delivering high-value transactions and corporate deals, and a Digital and Intellectual Property Team of the Year Award, which will recognise IT and IP legal teams based in Scotland that have shown excellence in managing complex intellectual property matters, advising on cutting-edge technology law, and adding significant value to clients in sectors such as software, data protection, digital services, and IP law.
Change is an essential feature of the law if it is to remain relevant and the Innovation Award, sponsored by Law Society of Scotland highlights this. It has been designed to recognise those who are transforming legal services and delivering measurable impact in the legal sector through innovative technology, new working practices, business models or internal process improvement.
Also new for this year is the ESG Award, formerly the CSR Award, which is open to legal firms, faculties, societies and in-house teams that can demonstrate a clear commitment to driving sustainable, inclusive, and ethical practices across their operations, culture, and communities.”
As part of their involvement in The Herald Law Awards for Scotland, legal medical experts, 123 Medical Services, are sponsoring three awards: the Up and Coming Award is open to solicitors with up to five years of post-qualification experience; the Paralegal of the Year Award and the Rising Star at the Scottish Bar Award, which has a proud track record of identifying advocates called for less than five years who have gone on to achieve great things.
Sairah Din, managing director, 123 Medical Services, says: “At 123 Medical Services we are proud to support the Herald Law Awards because we believe in recognising the integrity, hard work, and expertise that underpin the legal profession. These awards shine a spotlight on the people and practices that consistently go the extra mile and that’s something we deeply respect and relate to.
“Working closely with the legal sector every day, we see first-hand the dedication it takes to deliver fair outcomes, navigate complexity, and ultimately support individuals requiring justice. These awards are a meaningful way to pause and celebrate the individuals and firms who not only uphold the highest standards, but also innovate and lead with purpose.
“For us, supporting the Herald Law Awards isn’t just about sponsorship, it is about being part of a community that values excellence and believes in progress.”
Also backing this year’s awards for the first time is legal software provider, Denovo, who are sponsoring the High Street Firm of the Year Award.
Grant Yuill, head of marketing & customer engagement, Denovo, says: “At Denovo, we’re incredibly proud to support the Herald Law Awards because they shine a light on the exceptional talent, dedication, and innovation within the Scottish legal sector. As a business built in Scotland, for Scottish law firms, we feel a real connection to this community. Supporting these awards allows us to celebrate the incredible achievements of firms across the country – firms who, like us, are constantly striving to improve the client experience and deliver outstanding legal services. It’s an opportunity to give back to the profession that has supported our growth and helped establish Denovo as the operating system for hundreds of Scottish legal practices.”
Also new this year is Border, the award-winning family-owned biscuit company that has gained an outstanding reputation for its products and business practices. It is sponsoring the Outstanding Contribution Award, an accolade that will pay tribute to one individual who has made a significant impact on the development of the Scottish legal profession.
Meanwhile, the Awards are welcoming back long-term sponsors including Law Society of Scotland who also sponsor Solicitor of the Year; Idex Consulting, sponsors of two separate Law Firm of the Year Awards, one of which is open to independent law firms in or outside of Scotland with up to 150 solicitors who hold a Scottish practising certificate and the other to firms where more than 150 solicitors hold the same certificate; and Stirling Park, Scotland’s leading debt collection and enforcement company, who will once again sponsor the Debt Recovery Team of the Year Award and the Litigation Team of the Year Awards as they have done since the outset of the awards.
Susan Murray, president of the Law Society of Scotland says: “The Scottish legal profession plays an essential role in civic society, providing much needed support, advice and representation to individuals, families, businesses and organisations across the country and further afield. We are delighted to be part of this important opportunity to celebrate the firms and individuals who make the Scottish legal community a profession to be proud of.
Meena Bahanda, head of legal recruitment Scotland, Idex Consulting, says: “At Idex Consulting, we’re proud to support the Herald Law Awards 2025, which celebrate the excellence, innovation, and integrity that define the legal profession in Scotland. As a trusted partner to legal firms and professionals, we believe in recognising those who are shaping the future of law, and we’re honoured to be part of an event that highlights such outstanding achievement across the sector.
And Ronnie Murison, director of sheriff officer services, sheriff officer & messenger at arms, Stirling Park LLP, says: “Stirling Park has supported the Law Awards since it started in 2004, and we are delighted to be involved again this year by sponsoring the Debt Recovery and Litigation team categories.
“We provide sheriff officer services to many law firms throughout Scotland in these categories, and at first hand we see the skillset and legal knowledge required in this sector, so it is satisfying to recognise the successful candidates that have been nominated. We are looking forward to the event on Friday, 7 November, which should be a memorable evening.”
That event, which will be held in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow, will be bring together figures from throughout the legal profession in Scotland for an evening of celebration and networking and details, along with a full list of all of this year’s awards categories and online application forms are available from https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/lawawards/