GILLESPIE MACANDREW WIN FIRM OF THE YEAR

One of the biggest individual contributors to Scots Law has been honoured at the prestigious Cuthbert Scottish Legal Awards held in Edinburgh today (Friday).

Sir Gerald Henry Gordon, judge, author and lecturer, was awarded the Scott & Co Lifetime Achievement Award at the event attended by 600 leaders of the legal industry.

Twelve other awards were also presented including the coveted TFB Firm of the Year award collected by Edinburgh firm, Gillespie Macandrew. Harper Macleod and Anderson Strathern collected two awards apiece. The biggest applause went to Iain Nisbet of the Govan Law Centre who fought off competition from larger rivals to win the Rising Star of the Year Award.

The programme, founded in 2001 by Cuthbert Recruitment and sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate, recognises the nation's most talented and aspiring lawyers chosen by a panel of experts drawn from politics, law and business. The judges include Dr Andrew Cubie and Andrew Sturgess, Chair of the Institute of Directors in Scotland. Chair of the judging panel, Margo Macdonald MSP commented;

“These awards are tough to judge and even harder to win. Many congratulations to all these winners. Take it from me, they are all very deserving.”

John Campbell QC one of the members of the judging panel, congratulated Sir Gerald Gordon, commenting:

“Sir Gordon has contributed more to the theory and practice of Scots law than any other living author, judge and practitioner of his generation.”

Rebecca Cuthbert, Director of Cuthbert Recruitment, the founders of the awards commented;

“These awards recognise both Scotland's legal elite and the aspiring rising stars of the profession. The process involved is rigorous, meticulous and totally independent. These winners are valid and important examples of business excellence. Congratulations to all the recipients.”

"We were delighted to be involved with the Scottish Legal Awards for another year", says David McEwan, Regional Head of Corporate Banking, Bank of Scotland Corporate. “Congratulations to all the winners who clearly and unequivocally demonstrate the pursuit of excellence. It is encouraging to see the Scottish legal community in such great shape.”

The Cuthbert Scottish Legal Awards were created to recognise, reward and celebrate all those practising in Scottish Law. The awards, considered ‘the Oscars' of the legal profession, are an established highlight of the Scottish Legal Calendar This year, the programme's fifth anniversary, there was a 33% increase in nominations.