“Nina Derrin is an excellent addition to the team. If I needed a family lawyer, in any situation, for any reason, I’d instruct Nina. I don’t think you can get more of a compliment or endorsement than that, I’d trust her implicitly.”
Legal 500 2026
About
Trusted judgment. Determined advocacy. Genuine empathy.
Nina is an accomplished Scottish family lawyer and experienced litigator, recognised for her judgment, advocacy and ability to navigate complex and sensitive disputes.
With over a decade of experience, Nina advises across the full spectrum of family law, including divorce and financial provision, cohabitation, complex child law and international cases. She combines meticulous preparation and strategic thinking with practical advice and robust representation, particularly in contentious and high-stakes disputes.
Nina regularly conducts her own advocacy in the Sheriff Court and has substantial Court of Session experience, including cases involving novel or unusual legal issues.
A distinctive aspect of Nina’s practice is her independent judicial appointments involving children and vulnerable adults. She acts as a Child Welfare Reporter, Curator ad litem for children and curator for vulnerable adults, reflecting her professional standing and insight into cases involving vulnerability, capacity and competing interests.
Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a Family Mediator, Nina combines litigation, judicial appointment and mediation experience with the judgment to recognise when constructive resolution is possible and when robust litigation is necessary.
Nina’s reputation rests on technical skill, integrity, sound judgment and genuine commitment to those she represents.
Experience
- Acting for First Respondent in Inner House case of Reid, Petitioner [2023] CSIH 33/2023 S.L.T 84. The case concerned differences between English and Scots law re succession to a substantial estate.
- Sole advocacy in financial claim by a cohabitant following the death of their partner, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court JH v LM 2024 Fam LR 19.
- Advising in HNW divorce with assets in multiple jurisdictions and where proceedings were raised without notice.
- Sole advocacy in Sheriff Court matter relating to the residence and care arrangements for a child where there are serious allegations of sexual assault and abuse.
- Acting for the child in proceedings under the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention and successfully opposing return order MP, Petitioner [2023] CSOH 58.
- Appointment from Edinburgh Sheriff Court to act as Curator ad Litem to vulnerable adult in Guardianship proceedings.
Credentials
- Admitted as a solicitor: Scotland (2016)
- Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a Family Law (CALM) Mediator: 2024
- Child Welfare Reporter and curator ad litem, Sheriffdom of Lothian and Borders: 2024 to date
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Edinburgh: 2014-2015
- LLB (Hons), University of Glasgow, 2007-2011