Our History

Morton Fraser is a Limited Liability Partnership, structured in a similar way to many of our clients - with Strategic and Management Boards, a Chief Executive and a Chairman, rather than traditional law firm structures.  The firm provides award winning and top rated legal services across the UK, and has links to over 160 international firms.

The firm has been in business for 180 years, and has been known by its current name since 2000, when the Morton Fraser Partnership WS - comprising Morton Fraser Commercial, Morton Fraser Direct, and Morton Fraser Milligan - became known as Morton Fraser.

The firm can be traced back to 1829, when it was founded by Charles Morton who set up as Greig & Morton WS in partnership with James Greig 

Following various mergers during the 19th century, in 1915 the firm underwent another amalgamation to become known as Morton, Smart, Macdonald & Prosser WS.

1961 saw another merger - with J & J Milligan WS. The two firms becoming known as Morton, Smart, Macdonald & Milligan WS.  In 1968 they merged again with Fraser, Stodart & Ballingall WS to become Morton, Fraser & Milligan WS - dropping the "&" in 1990 to be known as Morton Fraser Milligan WS. With the increasing move towards specialisation during the 1990s, the firm responded to client needs and in 1996, became known as The Morton Fraser Partnership WS.

In 2008, the firm expanded further with the merger of Edinburgh based law firm Skene Edwards into its business.

We are proud of our roots but look forward to the future.  Over the past six years, we have successfully grown our business in response to client demand by opening offices in new locations such as Glasgow and London, and we are actively seeking opportunities in other areas.