Law and Legal Affairs: Legal Awards 2011 - Entering the home straight

Published on Thursday 13 January 2011 12:50

THE legal sector has shown great resilience in tough times - and Scotland is increasingly becoming a nation of specialist lawyers.

These are two of the conclusions drawn by the judges in the Scott + Co Scottish Legal Awards 2011, after they named 29 different finalists ahead of the presentation dinner in March.

Judges were delighted by the number and quality of entries - up 30 per cent on last year.

John Campbell QC, a member of the judging panel, said: "Firms are responding well to the recession and looking for new markets and opportunities in these difficult times. They are not just sitting back waiting for work.

"What stood out was the quality of the personal biographies, which highlighted a wide range of interesting work and an increasing move to specialisation. "

Margo MacDonald MSP, who leads the panel, also praised some of the entries as "very interesting and innovative" and added: "Judging is rigorous and fair. We spend a lot of time analysing entries before we meet to discuss the contenders as a panel, then debate the content of the submissions in detail.

"Many firms have adjusted well to changing business levels and, as such, we've noticed a surge in popularity in the litigation team of the year category, which produced nine finalists. We also reviewed the work of some very good legal specialists."

However, she added: "As always, some entries lack detail or are so bombastic they lack credibility. I urge any firm which hasn't made the finals to contact us for feedback. It is always the case that it's not the quality of the service that we question, but the quality of the entry."

Mr Campbell said it was about getting the balance right: "We don't want firms to go over the top, but in some categories the judges knew from their own experience that there were lots more positive things to be said ."

Areas such as banking, employment and family law attracted a disappointing level of entries. No award will be given in those categories this year.

The increase in entries will benefit Children 1st, as all entrants were invited to make a donation to the charity, which will also be boosted at the awards ceremony. The event will be a black-tie dinner, rather than a lunch - at the EICC on Thursday 17 March.Guest speakers and entertainment will be announced in the coming weeks.

Only one finalist was selected for the Elevate Commercial Property Team of the Year, so there is no shortlist and the winner will be announced at the dinner - along with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award, won last year by Lord Hope.

• Tables for the event should be booked by contacting KDMedia on 0131-337 6232 or go to www.thelegalawards.com