Law firm Harper Macleod is proud to announce that it’s chairman and founder, Professor Lorne Crerar CBE KC (Hon) FRSE, has been appointed as one of His Majesty’s Honorary Counsel in Scotland. Nominations are invited by the Lord Justice General and thereafter considered by a panel consisting of the Lord Justice General, Dean of Faculty, an academic and the President of the Law Society of Scotland.
This prestigious award, formalised in Scotland for the first time in 2024, recognises those who have made a major contribution to the legal profession beyond traditional court advocacy. Professor Crerar is the first Scottish solicitor in private practice to be awarded this honour.
In addition to his work at Harper Macleod, Professor Crerar has made a lasting impact on both legal practice and academia in Scotland. As an Emeritus Professor of Banking Law at the University of Glasgow and a published author (including The Law of Banking Law in Scotland, Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia), he has played a key role in educating and mentoring generations of legal professionals.
He has also played an important role in shaping legal reform and public policy in Scotland. He was instrumental in the creation of the Home Report, which brought greater transparency and consumer protection to the housing market. He has been an advocate of change in the regulation of the legal profession in Scotland, as a panel member of the independent Roberton Review, that looked at how lawyers are regulated in Scotland, setting out proposals to modernise the system. His commitment to public service includes chairing the influential Crerar Review, which informed the Scottish Government’s approach to regulation and inspection, and serving as a non-executive director within the Scottish Government Justice Department. Throughout his career, Professor Crerar has demonstrated a deep commitment to innovation and a strong drive to create opportunity for those within the profession. His proposals for fundamental reform of the governance of Scottish Rugby were approved by the member clubs in Autumn 2022. He is currently Chairman of Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) which is responsible for the wellbeing and brand of rugby in Scotland.
This recognition carries special significance for the Highlands, where Professor Crerar has been a driving force behind both legal and economic transformation. His bold vision saw Harper Macleod become the first commercial law firm to establish a permanent base in the Highlands, opening its Inverness office more than two decades ago, before others followed. That innovative approach still continues today, with Professor Crerar recently shortlisted for the Prosper H&I Business Excellence Awards in the Leadership Legacy category. He was also awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for his contribution to economic and community development in Scotland, with a particular emphasis on his work in the north through his role as Chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Professor Crerar’s appointment as Honorary King’s Counsel is a well-deserved recognition of his lifelong commitment to advancing the legal profession in Scotland. This honour celebrates not just his personal achievements but also reflects his leadership and meaningful impact within the legal profession and both corporate and civic Scotland.
Harper Macleod is proud to mark this milestone, a first for the firm, and to honour the legacy of a founder whose work continues to shape the future of law and public service.
Further information on the nomination and appointment process is available on the Scottish Government website https://www.gov.scot/publications/appointment-kings-counsel-scotland-2025/pages/1/