Advocates’ Clerk of the Year

This award will be presented to an outstanding Clerk or Deputy Clerk who works in a Scottish Chamber. Judges will be looking for an individual who has immaculate organisational skills and demonstrates exceptional ability in managing the day to day tasks of busy Advocates.

Nominations should include:

• A detailed biography of the individual nominated
• An outline of key activity in 2011
• Supporting statements and views from the Chamber and out with the firm

Banking Team of the Year

This category makes a welcome return to the Scottish Legal Awards. Open to specialist teams working in the banking, funding and restructuring sectors. Typical disciplines will include loans, acquisition finance and insolvency.

The entry should include:

• An outline of key activity in 2011 including specific areas of expertise
• Relevant case studies
• Short biographies of key members of the team
• Information on industry credentials, client testimonials and results

Employment Team of the Year

Teams of employment lawyers are encouraged to enter this important category which will recognise a productive and successful team. Judges will be looking for evidence of an active specialist team working at the cutting edge of changing legislation.

Nominations should include:

• An outline of key activity in 2011 including any areas of expertise
• Relevant case studies
• Short biographies of key members of the team
• Information on industry credentials, client testimonials and results

Millar & Bryce Energy Team of the Year

This award will be presented to an energy team providing legal advice to large-scale energy projects ranging from the traditional to renewable. Judges will be looking for evidence of how this team advises on areas including petroleum law, corporations law, contract law, property law, trade practices law, administrative law and other legal research.

Nominations should include:

• An outline of key activity in 2011 and an overview of areas of expertise
• Biographies on key members of the team
• Credentials and testimonials from clients and business partners
• Relevant case studies

Fundraising Achievement of the Year

Legal firms have created a number of innovative moves to assist charities and communities. The submission should include how the initiative was integrated into the firm and evidence of results.

Nominations should include:

•An overview of the initiative including planning, delivery, marketing and results
• Information on the outcomes achieved and how this impacted on the community/charity
• Credentials and testimonials from community leaders, business partners and charities

Family Law Team of the Year

This category seeks to recognise a successful family law practice. Experience in matters of significant impact on family relationships, such as adoption, divorce, custody, and abuse should be addressed where applicable in the submission.

Nominations should include:

• An overview of the areas of expertise and an outline of key activity in 2011
• Relevant case studies
• Short biographies of key members of the team
• Information on industry credentials, client testimonials and results

Scottish Law Directory Innovation Award

Firms which have adapted to the challenges of recent years by encouraging and investing in innovative new practices will be recognised. Technology, marketing, recruitment, new practice management techniques will all be considered.

Nominations should include:

• An overview of the areas of expertise
• An outline of key activity in 2011
• Short biographies of key members of the team
• Information on industry credentials, client testimonials and results

Litigation Team of the Year

This award will regocnise a successful litigation team which covers the varied areas of commercial, personal and dispute resolution.

Nominations should include:

• An overview of the areas of expertise and an outline of key activity in 2011
• Relevant case studies
• Short biographies of key members of the team
• Information on industry credentials, client testimonials and results

Scottish Paralegal Association Paralegal of the Year

An effective and committed paralegal is an essential part of any successful department. The Paralegal of the Year Award will give any department the opportunity to recognise an outstanding individual’s effort.

Nominees should include in their entry:

• A detailed biography of the individual nominated
• An outline of key activity in 2011
• Supporting statements and views from the department and out with the firm

Hotel du Vin Private Client Team of the Year

The specialist area of handling the individual affairs of clients requires a special skill and this award seeks to recognise the most high achieving of private client firms.

Nominations should include:

• An outline of key activity in 2011
•Biographies on key members of the team
• Credentials and testimonials from clients and business partners
• Evidence of marketing ideas or additional client services deployed

ros.gov.uk Residential Property Team of the Year

This award will be presented to a strong team which has faced unprecedented challenges in 2011 and has demonstrated consistent commitment to client service.

Nominations should include:

•An outline of key activity in 2011 and an overview of areas of expertise
• Biographies on key members of the team
• Credentials and testimonials from clients and business partners
• Evidence of marketing ideas or additional client services deployed

Lawyer Locator Commercial Property Team of the Year

This award will be presented to a strong team which has faced unprecedented challenges in 2011 and has demonstrated consistent commitment to client service.

Nominations should include:

• An outline of key activity in 2011 and an overview of areas of expertise
• Biographies on key members of the team
• Credentials and testimonials from clients and business partners
• Evidence of marketing ideas or additional client services deployed

Public Sector Law Team of the Year

The judges will be looking for a legal team offering a consistent and reliable service to local authorities, government and/or related agencies, eg the NHS, housing or education.

Nominations should include:

• An overview of the areas of expertise and outline of key activity in 2011
• Biographies on key members of the team
• Relevant case studies
• Information on industry credentials, client testimonials and results

The Law Society of Scotland Rising Star of the Year

This award seeks to recognise an outstanding individual who is up to seven years qualified and who has demonstrated exceptional ability in any number of areas. The nominee will likely be a high achiever who has demonstrated exceptional success in 2011.

Nominees should include in their entry:

• A detailed biography of the individual nominated
• An outline of key activity in 2011
• Supporting statements and views from other counsel in Chambers or externally from private practice.

Specialist Lawyer of the Year

Individuals with a specialist area of expertise are welcomed to enter this popular category. The individual will have a track record in a specific market or sector and may work in private practice or in an in house capacity.

Nominations should include:

• A detailed biography of the individual nominated and an overview of their area of expertise
• An outline of key business activity in 2011
• Credentials and testimonials from clients and business partners

The Lane Agency Support Team of the Year

The work of various support teams is essential to the everyday activity of a law firm to improve services to clients. Teams in HR, IT, Finance, Marketing and Administration will be considered for this award. In addition to internal teams, external supply companies in areas such as software, support services or marketing will also be considered.

Nominations should include:

• An outline of key activity in 2011 and an overview of areas of expertise
• Biographies on key members of the team
• Credentials and testimonials from clients and business partners
• Evidence of marketing ideas or additional client services deployed

Barr Printers Training Provider of the Year

This award seeks to recognise a high quality post qualification training provider for the legal profession.

Nominations should include:

• An overview of the organization
• An outline of key business activity in 2011
• Biographies on key members of the team
• Credentials and testimonials from clients and business partners

DX Firm of the Year

The ultimate award in the Scottish Legal Awards 2012 programme will be presented to the firm which stands out as a high achiever in 2011.

Firms should prepare the following information in their entry:

• An outline of key activity in 2011 and an indication of how the firm reacted to changing market conditions
• Biographies on executive members of the team
• Strategic business planning and marketing effectiveness
• Credentials and testimonials from clients and business partners
• Evidence of team working and firm unity

The Scotsman Lifetime Achievement Award

This award seeks to recognise a lifelong career dedicated to Scottish law and is presented at the discretion of the judging panel. This award is not open for entry.