Advocates rebrand specialist criminal body

The Faculty of Advocates has renamed its group for counsel who specialise in the criminal courts.

Thomas Ross has been chosen as President of the Scottish Criminal Bar Association, which replaces the former Faculty of Advocates’ Criminal Bar Association (FACBA).

Members decided to adopt the more streamlined name at their annual meeting, at which Brian McConnachie QC stood down after more than two years as chair of FACBA.

Mr Ross was vice chair to Mr McConnachie. Claire Mitchell has been elected vice president of the new association. Secretary will be Gillian Ross, and Craig Findlater has been elected as treasurer. Committee members are: Neil Murray QC, Simon Gilbride, Edith Forrest, Wendy Hay, Victoria Dow, Greg Farrell, Maryam Labaki and Ximena Vengoechea.

Mr Ross said:The name change simply reflects the fact that the people of Scotland know that the Faculty of Advocates provides the most experienced criminal practitioners that the country has to offer. That will not change under the new name, but we hope that it will also help us to take a more active role in Scottish public life.”

He added: “Being selected to represent this elite group of criminal lawyers is the biggest honour of my professional life. I am delighted that Claire Mitchell has agreed to assist me."