Press release
Professor receives award for pioneering environmental law work
A retired University of Dundee law professor has been recognised for his pioneering work into environmental law, which was later reflected in the development of legislation
Published on 12 November 2024
Colin Reid, an Emeritus Professor at Dundee Law School, was awarded the Legal Pioneer Award from the Law Society of Scotland.
He was one of six recipients to receive this inaugural award, and the only academic.
The award sought nominations from solicitors and non-solicitors, past and present, who have made a significant contribution to the Scottish legal sector.
Professor Reid said, “It was a great surprise and honour to be recognised in this way, especially as the only academic among those receiving an award.
“Over the length of my career, environmental law has developed into a major and pervasive area of legal activity, and it has been a pleasure to see many of those that I have taught going on to play significant roles in environmental regulation and practice.
“I have always valued the close connections in Scotland between the academic and practitioner worlds.
“Engaging with practitioners through writing and conferences is something that I have always seen as important, as well as being able to contribute through roles on Law Society committees and at Holyrood.”
Professor Reid credited those who led him into this area of work in the early stage of his career and the ‘real pioneers’.
Those were Jeremy Rowan-Robinson and Eric Young, in planning law, and Frank Lyall, with whom Professor Emeritus Reid worked to develop the first environmental law courses at the University of Aberdeen in the 1980s.
This award was launched earlier this year as part of the Society’s 75th anniversary commemorations, and six were presented at the Society’s Annual Conference.
Speaking at the event, the Society’s Chief Executive Diane McGiffen reminded the audience how the Scottish legal sector is ‘dynamic, diverse and thriving’ and down to those in the profession who drive its success.
She added, “In making more than one award today, we wanted to highlight not just the passion and dedication that these individuals have for their work, but the breadth of the work of our nominees and the real impact they have had.
“Huge congratulations to all our legal pioneers – they have all made such important contributions to the law and legal practice in Scotland and beyond.”