Scottish Legal Awards nominees list revealed – 73 names already on 2026 shortlist

Now in it’s 23nd year, the event – sponsored by Denovo – is a highlight in the legal calendar and celebrates the achievements of Scottish solicitors and the broader profession.

Last year, winners of the prestigious Firm of the Year (Under 250 Employees) and Firm of the Year (250 Employees and Over) awards were presented to Neilsons Solicitors and Estate Agents and Thorntons Law respectively.

The distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Lord Hodge, Deputy President of the Supreme Court. Lord Hodge was appointed deputy president in January 2020, having originally joined the court as a justice in October 2013.

This year’s event will once again support the LawScot Foundation, the charity of the Law Society of Scotland. The Foundation works to remove financial barriers to legal education by providing scholarships and support to talented students from less advantaged backgrounds pursuing a career in law.

The winners will be announced at a awards dinner on Thursday 17 September 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central.

Excellence in Community Care & Social Responsibility

Finalists

• Clarity Simplicity
• Gillespie Macandrew LLP
• Jackson Boyd Solicitors
• Jones Whyte
• MJC LAW
• Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace
• Shared Parenting Scotland

Excellence in Client Care

Finalists

• Clarity Simplicity
• Ergo Law
• Jamieson Law
• RD Legal Solicitors

Excellence in Support Services

Finalists

• Brown Owl Legal Support
• Cashroom
• Denovo
• Estatesearch
• Exizent
• Hamiltons Law Accountants
• Millar & Bryce
• ReceptIO

Excellence in Support & Wellbeing

Finalists

• Aegon UK
• Clarity Simplicity

Excellence in Equity & Inclusion

Finalists

• Aegon UK
• Hey Legal
• Thorntons Law
• Weightmans (Scotland) LLP

Litigation Team of the Year

Finalists

• Halliday Campbell WS
• Livingstone Brown

Residential Property Team of the Year

Finalists

• Delaney Graham Solicitors
• Matheson Lawson
• RD Legal Solicitors

Marketing & Business Development Team of the Year

Finalists

• Jones Whyte
• TC Young

Family Law or Private Client Team of the Year

Finalists

• Anderson Strathern
• Family Law Matters Scotland LLP
• Jones Whyte
• Stronachs
• Weightmans (Scotland) LLP

Criminal Defence Firm of the Year

Finalists

• Adams Whyte
• McGovern Reid Court Lawyers

In-House Legal Team of the Year

Finalists

• Aberdeen City Council
• Aegon UK
• The City of Edinburgh Council
• Dana Petroleum
• MDDUS
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• Skyscanner
• Thermo Fisher Scientific

Law Champion of the Year

Finalists

The 2026 recipient will be announced shortly

Paralegal of the Year

Finalists

• Louise Johnston, Anderson Strathern
• Ibel Ellershaw, BayWa r.e UK
• Laura Brown, Brown Owl Legal Support
• Laura Rankin, Jackson Boyd Solicitors
• Abbie Weir, Jones Whyte
• Laura Simpson, Jones Whyte
• Sarah Dooey, Jones Whyte
• Karen Deans, Matheson Lawson

Rising Star of the Year

Finalists

• Flora Smith, Ergo Law
• Sam Connington, Gillespie Macandrew LLP
• Meg Jeynes, Gilson Gray
• Corie Wilson, Jamieson Law
• Louise McGhee, Jones Whyte
• Abigail Meek, Matheson Lawson
• Frances Taylor, McGovern Reid
• Rebecca Coltart, Thorntons Law

Lawyer of the Year

Finalists

The 2026 finalists will be announced shortly

Lawyer of the Year

Finalists

The 2026 finalists will be announced shortly

Lifetime Achievement Award

Finalists

The 2026 recipient will be announced shortly

Firm of the Year (up to 250 employees)

Finalists

• Ergo Law
• Livingstone Brown
• Matheson Lawson
• MJC LAW
• RD Legal Solicitors
• Rollos Law LLP
• Weightmans (Scotland) LLP

Firm of the Year (over 250 employees)

Finalists

• Gilson Gray
• Jones Whyte
• Thorntons Law