Professor Fiona Leverick appointed an Honorary King’s Counsel
Published: 9 September 2026
Professor Fiona Leverick has been appointed an Honorary King’s Counsel for making an exceptional and lasting contribution to the development of Scots law.
Professor Fiona Leverick has been appointed an Honorary King’s Counsel for making an exceptional and lasting contribution to the development of Scots law.
Honorary King’s Counsel is an honorary award unique to the legal profession. It recognises those in the profession who have made a major contribution to the law of Scotland or the legal profession and how it is advanced, outwith practice as an advocate or solicitor advocate.
Sixteen new King's Counsel and three new Honorary King’s Counsel have been appointed by His Majesty The King on the recommendation of First Minister John Swinney.
Fiona, who is Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice at the University of Glasgow’s School of Law, received the prestigious award for her co-authorship of The Criminal Law of Scotland, the authoritative text on Scots criminal law that is used by the courts and her contribution to evidence-based policy making in the area of improving the prosecution of sexual offences.
Professor James Chalmers, co-author of The Criminal Law of Scotland, is also an Honorary KC, making Glasgow’s School of Law the only one in Scotland to have two KCs.
Professor Leverick said: "I am absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious honour. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support I have received from my colleagues in the University of Glasgow Law School, especially the criminal law team who nominated me. I also share this recognition with the pioneering Emma Ritch Law Clinic at the University of Glasgow - their vital work delivering legal advice to victims of sexual violence is a constant reminder of why research into the criminal justice system matters."
Professor Graeme Roy, Head of the College of Social Sciences and Vice Principal, said: "This is a brilliant reflection of Fiona’s standing in the legal community and her outstanding contribution. The appointment to Honorary King’s Counsel is one of the highest honours in the Scottish legal profession, recognising those who have made an exceptional and lasting contribution to the development of Scots law. We are delighted to see Fiona’s achievements recognised in this way."
The rank of King’s Counsel is generally reserved for those who have distinguished themselves in practice in the Supreme Courts. Advocates and Solicitors with Rights of Audience in the Supreme Courts are eligible to apply to the Lord Justice General, Scotland’s senior judge. Before making nominations to the First Minister, the Lord Justice General consults other judges, the Lord Advocate, the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates and the President of the Law Society of Scotland.
First published: 9 September 2026