About Us Our History

Founded over 150 years ago, MacRoberts has built a reputation for quality, hard work and doing business the right way.

1800s

We are one of Scotland’s oldest, independent law firms having been formed by the redoubtable Thomas MacRobert back in 1861.

  • 1861: Qualified in 1858, Thomas MacRobert founded the firm aged just 31. He married twice, fathered 13 children, lived all his married life in Castlehead, Paisley, and died in 1892, at the age of 63.
  • 1861: Our first offices were located in the County Buildings, Paisley.
  • 1890: Thomas MacRobert Jnr and an employee, Mr Hutchison, were added as partners. The firm became known as MacRobert, Son & Hutchison.

1900s

During the 1900s we opened our first offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, then officially took the name, MacRoberts. 

  • 1910: Our first Glasgow office was opened, at 7 West George Street.
  • 1985: Our first Edinburgh office was opened, in Walker Street.
  • 1985: Our name officially changed to MacRoberts.
  • 1987: Our Paisley office closed with all functions transferred to rapidly growing Glasgow and Edinburgh offices.

2000s

The 2000s saw MacRoberts become the acclaimed law firm that it is today, with over 160 employees.

  • 2010: We move to our present Glasgow offices, in the Capella building on York Street.
  • 2017: Yuill + Kyle, one of Scotland's leading debt recovery and credit control practices, becomes part of MacRoberts.
  • 2019: Edinburgh-based private client firm Murray Snell joins the MacRoberts Group.
  • 2021: As part of the firm's enhanced agile working strategy, MacRoberts moves to prestigious Grade A offices at 10 George Street, Edinburgh.
  • Now: We have over 35 Partners and employ over 160 people in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Our Awards & Accreditations

  • In 2016, we were one of the first law firms in Scotland to become accredited Living Wage employers.

  • Shortlisted for Firm of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2022.

  • Winners of Corporate & Commercial Team of the Year and Family Law Team of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2020.

  • Our Real Estate team won the Property Team of the Year Award at the British Legal Awards in 2018.

  • Winner of SME of the Year at the Scottish SME Awards 2017, hosted by Scottish Business Insider.

  • Highly Commended for Commercial Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2016.

  • In 2019, MacRoberts achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification, a UK Government entry-level information security standard. 

  • MacRoberts holds the ISO 9001:2015 certification for Quality Management, the most widely recognised quality management system standard in the world.

  • Iso 14001 2015 Environmental Management

    MacRoberts holds the ISO14001:2015 certification for Environmental Management, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to environmental awareness.

  • MacRoberts holds the ISO27001:2013 certification for Information Security, an internationally recognised security gold standard.

  • Business continuity is a critical element of the Business Management System at MacRoberts and we hold full accreditation with the ISO 22301:2019.

  • MacRoberts is a member of IP Inclusive, a network of intellectual property professionals working to make our community more equal, diverse and inclusive.

  • We are active members of the PRIME Programme – an organisation that focuses on ensuring a career in law is open to talent from all economic and social backgrounds.

  • MacRoberts supports the Scottish Business Pledge, a values-led partnership between Government and business that is based on boosting productivity and competitiveness through fairness, equality and sustainable employment.

  • We are supporters of the Partnership for Change, a network of organisations and individuals who share a common ambition to improve diversity on boards and in senior leadership.

  • We are a member of the Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (ENEI), a UK-based not-for-profit organisation which helps employers build and maintain diverse teams and inclusive cultures through our membership, training, and consultancy services.

  • MacRoberts was awarded enei's Silver TIDEMark for 2023. TIDE is enei's self-assessment evaluation and benchmarking tool which measures an organisation's overall approach and progress on diversity and inclusion.

  • MacRoberts is a Disability Confident employer, and are committed to disability equality across our firm.

  • MacRoberts fully supports flexible working practices and supports family-friendly working practices.

  • In 2022, MacRoberts received a Bronze Award in Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index for our commitment to LGBTQI+ inclusivity in the workplace.

  • MacRoberts is a longstanding member of Scotland Food & Drink, the leading trade association for Scotland's food and drink industry.

  • MacRoberts is an Associate Member of SELECT, Scotland's largest construction trade association.

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