Honorary Members

Nominations for new Law Society of Scotland Honorary Members are open from Monday, 18 May 2026 until Monday, 15 June 2026.

Honorary Membership is open to Scottish solicitors who are no longer practising and no longer hold a practising certificate who have given "outstanding service for the public good".

Anyone can put forward an eligible individual as a candidate for Honorary Membership by submitting a nomination form by Monday, 15 June 2026.

Queries on Honorary Membership should be directed to [email protected]

The Law Society of Scotland Honorary Membership is in recognition of outstanding contribution to the Scottish solicitor profession. 

Christine McLintock (2024)
Ross MacKay (2024)
Peter Nicholson (2023)
Michael Samuel (2023)
Colin Cameron (2021)
Alistair Cockburn (2019)
Sheriff Brian Kearney (2019)
Rt Hon. Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC FRSE (2019)
Adrian Ward MBE (2017)
Joe Beltrami (2009)*
Ethel M. Houston OBE (2009)*
Winnie Ewing (2003)*
John Laughland (2002)
The Rt. Hon. Donald Dewar (1999)*
Lord Davidson (1997)*
Kenneth Pritchard OBE (1997)*
Professor Ross Harper CBE (1996)
Dr Alexander Stone (1989)*
Lord Mackenzie Stuart of Dean (1989)*
The Rt. Hon Lord Mackay of Clashfern (1988)
Professor Sir Thomas Smith (1986)*
David Williamson (1980)*
James Dunn Wheelans CBE MBE (1980)*

*Deceased