Aidan O’Neill KC

Of particular note has been his work on significant recent cases. This includes his successful advocacy before the UK Supreme Court in the For Women Scotland case, as well as a successful judicial review concerning transgender prisoner guidance, a case which has subsequently had an impact on government policy.

Mr O’Neill will be presented with the award at the Scottish Legal Awards dinner on Thursday 17 September at DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central, when Scotland’s legal profession comes together to celebrate excellence and achievement across the sector.

Called to the Scottish bar in 1987, he took silk in 1999. He was subsequently called to the English bar in 1996, taking silk there in 2017, and joined the Irish Bar in December 2020.

Over the course of his career, Mr O’Neill has developed a wide-ranging litigation and legal advisory practice across the UK. His work demonstrates particular expertise in competition law, commercial and constitutional judicial review, environmental and Aarhus law, and employment and equality law, alongside specialist knowledge of EU law, human rights law and UK constitutional law.

A highly experienced appellate advocate, he has appeared extensively before the UK’s senior courts. During the first decade of the Supreme Court, following its establishment in October 2009, he ranked among the top 10 barristers across the UK by number of appearances as leading counsel.

His legal practice has also extended to the European courts. He has appeared on a number of occasions before the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg, both before Brexit and, through his membership of the Irish bar, since the UK’s departure from the EU. He has also appeared before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

The Lawyer of the Year award recognises the depth and breadth of his legal expertise, his distinguished record of advocacy and his contribution to the development and application of the law across multiple jurisdictions.

His career reflects a sustained commitment to legal excellence at the highest level, with a body of work encompassing significant questions of constitutional, European, human rights and public law.

Mr O’Neill will receive the Lawyer of the Year award at the Scottish Legal Awards 2026 on Thursday 17 September at DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central.