Know anyone who deserves a legal oscar ?

Suggestions please, and watch who you ... implicate ?

The Scotsman reports :

Know anyone who deserves a pat on the back or, better, a legal 'Oscar'?

PETER RANSCOMBE

INDIVIDUAL excellence will be rewarded in three categories at the 2008 Scottish Legal Awards.

The prizes for partner of the year, paralegal of the year and rising star of the year are among the 15 competitive categories in the latest contest.

The awards, which have now entered their sixth successful year, are sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate, with The Scotsman as the media partner.

Seen by many as the "Oscars" of the profession, the Scottish Legal Awards will be presented during a gala ceremony in Glasgow in February.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday 28 November and the shortlist will be announced before Christmas.

Rebecca Davies, director of the Scottish Legal Awards, says: "Individual awards are a vital part of encouraging and motivating people who have made an outstanding contribution to their firm.

"As everyone knows, finding and keeping the right people is the biggest challenge to any business and these awards can really help people feel valued and important part of a business."

But what will the judges be looking for when picking outstanding individuals?

In the AON Partner of the Year category, the judges say they will be on the lookout for "evidence of consistent achievement, diplomacy, strategic thinking, team management and leadership qualities".

Nominees may have successfully guided their firm or department through strategic change, successfully led business development or developed a new team or service for the firm.

The Registers of Scotland Rising Star of the Year award will recognise lawyers who "have already made a significant impact on the legal industry, and will have demonstrated a burning ambition, motivation and ability to their chosen area of law".

The judges say they want to see "recognition from clients and peers" as part of submissions in this category. The bar has been set high for the award, with previous winners including Bruce Caldow of Harper Macleod, Christine O'Neill of Brodies and Boyds' Laura Gordon.

It isn't just lawyers who will be honoured at the 2008 Scottish Legal Awards - the First Scottish Searching Paralegal of the Year Award will make sure that support staff are recognised too.

Judges are looking for evidence of "a high standard of work and attention to detail, together with an outstanding enthusiasm, commitment and ambition".

This year's Scottish Legal Awards programme was launched last month at the Balvenie Live Legal Debates in both Edinburgh and Glasgow.

A panel of leading legal lights debated some of the hot topics of the day, including the second Lockerbie appeal, the collapse of the World's End murder trial and the prospect of "Tesco law".

They fielded questions from members of the audience, as well as discussing legal education and training, and the success or failure of the "right to roam" legislation.

• For more information about the 2008 Scottish Legal Awards, or to find out how to enter, visit http://www.thescottishlegalawards.com/ or call KD Media on 0131-624 9840.