The new award has been launched as part of the Law Society’s 75th anniversary commemorations, with nominations sought for solicitors and non-solicitors from the past or present who have made a significant contribution to Scotland’s legal sector.

Law Society of Scotland President Susan Murray presented the awards at the Society’s annual conference in Edinburgh last week.

The recipients are:

• Barbara Bolton, legal director at JustRight Scotland – awarded for contributions to human rights law and improving access to justice for all.
• Geraldine Kelm, partner and head of Vario Flexible Services at Pinsent Masons – awarded for her contributions to legal freelancing, helping make it a sustainable career option for lawyers.
• Alison Reid, CEO and principal solicitor at Clan Childlaw – awarded for her work championing the importance of legal representation for children and young people.
• Professor Colin Reid, professor emeritus at the University of Dundee Law School – awarded for his contributions to environmental law which have been reflected in the development of legislation.
• Melissa Rutherford, director at Rutherford Sheridan – awarded for leading developments in trauma informed legal practice.
• Iain Smith, partner at Keegan Smith – awarded for leading developments in trauma informed legal practice.

Law Society chief executive Diane McGiffen said: “The society’s judging panel were impressed by all of the nominees put forward for our new award and it was certainly no easy task to decide on our winners.

“In making more than one award today, we wanted to highlight not just the passion and dedication that these individuals have for their work, but the breadth of the work of our nominees and the real impact they have had. Huge congratulations to all of our legal pioneers – you have all made such important contributions to the law and legal practice in Scotland and beyond.”