Leading Scottish law firm MacRoberts are delighted to have been highly commended at the annual British Legal Awards. Eversheds won the title of Commercial team of the year with MacRoberts being awarded the highly commended title in the category. Both firms fought off competition from national heavyweights Herbert Smith Freehills, Olswang, Simmons and Simmons & Ward Hadaway.

The awards saw a range of UK leading law firms competing across a range of categories.

MacRoberts’ success follows a strong year for their commercial team which has continued to attract new clients through competitive tendering. This included retaining their place on the highly regarded Scottish Government legal framework panel and being appointed to act for the Government on all contract and commercial matters. Other client wins or re-appointments included Breedon Group plc, City of Edinburgh Council, Fife College, C S Wind, Perth & Kinross Council and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.

The nomination also follows a strong financial year for the firm with increased turnover, profits and headcount. Draft accounts in the year-end to April 2016, show turnover up by 10% to £19.78m, profits climbing 12% to £6.9m and the firm’s headcount increasing by 12% across its three offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.

Its financial results saw the firm come first in Business Insider’s SME300 list this year – a survey which celebrates the country’s best performing small to medium-sized businesses.

In other areas of growth for the firm, MacRoberts established Scotland’s first ever Corporate Defence team headed up by ‘Lawyer of the Year’ (Scottish Legal Awards 2016) John McGovern. The team specialises in the defence of high profile corporate criminal prosecutions raised in Scotland by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

John MacMillan, Managing Partner said, “It is a fantastic achievement to make the shortlist never mind to be highly commended, and we couldn’t be more delighted. It is testament to the high quality work and client base that we have throughout the firm. This is very much a team effort and we are delighted to be recognised at a national level.”