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

The judges have whittled down scores of entries to the 2026 Scottish Legal Awards to reveal a 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 The Rt Hon 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 17th 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