The Chambers UK Awards honour “the finest legal teams” and is based on rigorous research, including that of the legal profession itself, and is conducted by Chambers and Partners.

Harper Macleod was judged to be the best firm in Scotland at the awards which followed “a meticulous process” on criteria including “outstanding legal work, impressive strategic growth, and excellence in client service delivery”.

Martin Darroch, Harper Macleod chief executive, said: “Receiving this award is an incredibly important moment for our business and its significance cannot be underestimated. This award is all down to the continued support of our clients who entrust us with their legal advice, the dedication of our colleagues who live our values day in, day out, and the backing of our communities where we live and work.”

Professor Lorne D Crerar CBE FRSE, Harper Macleod’s founding partner and chairman, said: “This is an emotional moment for us. Since our very small beginnings in 1988, our ambition was to build a law firm from scratch to serve the legal needs of Scotland in a competitive marketplace. It is a matter of great personal pride, as founding partner, that this award, based upon forensic independent assessment, is absolute proof that our original ambition can, and has been, achieved. What makes this more exciting is that we know there is more to come from Harper Macleod.”