Former Sheriff Brian Donald dies after illness

Former Sheriff Brian Donald, who presided over one of the pioneering drug courts set up in Scotland, has died following a short illness, his family has announced.

Born in Dundee on 11 July 1944, Brian George Donald studied at the University of St Andrews and then trained as a solicitor in Edinburgh, qualifying in 1967. He was both a lawyer and a linguist, and taught English abroad in the early 1970s before returning to practice with J&A Hastie SSC, where he became a partner and head of the litigation department. He was a member of the Stewart Committee on Alternatives to Prosecution between 1978 and 1982, and taught civil advocacy in Edinburgh University Law School between 1981 and 1991.

He was appointed a temporary sheriff in 1984, a founder member of the Scottish Legal Aid Board in 1985, serving until 1991, and a full time sheriff in the Sheriffdom of Tayside, Central & Fife at Kirkcaldy in 1999.

Sheriff Donald presided over one of Scotland’s two drug courts after they were set up in 2002, until his semi-retirement in 2008. He became the first sheriff member of the Apex Scotland Board in 1996. From 2008 he was re-appointed as a part time sheriff, and also became a part time legal member of the Parole Board for Scotland.

He died peacefully at home in Edinburgh on 28 April after a short but courageous fight against illness. His funeral will take place at Warriston Crematorium, Edinburgh at 11am on Friday 6 May. Donations can be made to cancer charities after the service (family flowers only). Those attending are invited to wear bright colours if they wish.