Could you be the next Lord President?

Applications are invited for this rare opportunity to become the next Lord President. You have until midnight on 30th September to apply.

Following notice of retirement from Lord Carloway, the First Minister has now constituted a selection panel and invited it to begin the appointment process for a new Lord President.

The panel agreed that the office of Lord President should be advertised on 9th September with a closing date for applications of 30th September 2024. A sift of applications will take place on 29th October with interviews following on 12th November.

Eligibility for appointment as Lord President is the same as that for a judge of the Court of Session. Serving judges of the Court of Session are also eligible for appointment as Lord President.

Article XIX of the Union with England Act 1707 and Section 20A of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 provide that the following are eligible for appointment as a judge of the Court of Session and therefore appointment as Lord President:

• Sheriffs principal and sheriffs who have held continuous office for at least five years immediately preceding the appointment.
• Solicitors who have had rights of audience in the Court of Session or the High Court of Justiciary for a continuous period of at least five years immediately preceding the appointment.
• Advocates of five years standing.
• Writers to the Signet of 10 years standing who have passed an examination in civil law set by the Faculty of Advocates two years before appointment.

An application pack containing information about the duties of the office and the qualities, skills and knowledge being sought, as well as details of the application process, can be obtained by emailing LordPresidentRecruitment@gov.scot.

The closing date for receipt of applications is midnight on 30th September 2024. Late applications will not be accepted.