Lord Beckett appointed as Lord Justice Clerk

The Law Society of Scotland has congratulated the Rt. Hon Lord Beckett on his appointment as Lord Justice Clerk.

First Minister John Swinney announced on Friday, 31 January, that His Majesty the King had appointed Lord Beckett to succeed the Rt. Hon Lady Dorrian as Scotland’s second most senior judge following her retirement. Lord Beckett is to be sworn in today, Tuesday, 4 February, by the new Lord President, Lord Pentland.

Lord Beckett, a former Solicitor General for Scotland, was appointed as a Supreme Courts judge in May 2016, prior to his elevation to the Inner House of the Court of Session in July 2023. He began his legal career as a solicitor in private practice in 1986 and was admitted to the Facility of Advocates in 1993, taking silk in 2005. He was made a sheriff in 2008.

Law Society of Scotland President Susan Murray said: “On behalf of the Law Society of Scotland and the solicitor profession, I offer my sincere congratulations to Lord Beckett.

“His appointment as Scotland’s next Lord Justice Clerk follows a highly distinguished legal career, from his early days as a solicitor in private practice and his work as an advocate, before joining the ranks of the judiciary as a sheriff and later becoming a Senator of the College of Justice. His appointment reflects the significant knowledge and expertise gained from his many years of service and the high esteem in which he is held.

“We look forward to working with Lord Beckett in his new role.”