Death announced of Sheriff Deirdre MacNeill

The death has been announced of Sheriff Deirdre MacNeill QC, a sheriff at Glasgow Sheriff Court, at the age of 65.

Deirdre MacNeill was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1981 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1994. She was appointed as an all-Scotland floating sheriff in 1999, and a resident sheriff in Glasgow the following year.

The Faculty of Advocates said it was "deeply saddened" to learn of her death, and "Everyone at the Faculty sends heartfelt condolences to Ms MacNeill's family and friends."

Also expressing its sadness, the Scottish Young Lawyers' Association noted in a tweet that Sheriff MacNeill was a founding member of SYLA. It added: "An intelligent advocate and committed sheriff, Deirdre cared about junior members of the profession and helped our endeavours. Our thoughts to her family and friends at this difficult time."