Four new Queen's Counsel welcomed to court

Four advocates and a sheriff have been approved as Queen's Counsel in Scotland by Her Majesty.

Roisin Higgins, Dr Kirsty Hood, Shelagh McCall and Dr Joseph Morrow, along with Sheriff Kenneth Maciver, have been appointed as senior counsel at the Scottish bar.

Roisin Higgins joined Faculty in 2000, after two years as a solicitor, and has pursued a practice in commercial litigation with a special interest in intellectual property. 

Dr Kirsty Hood called in 2001 and has established a varied civil practice with particular expertise in cross-border issues, such as questions of jurisdiction and recognition of judgments. She was elected Clerk of Faculty in October 2014.

Shelagh McCall practised as a solicitor for several years before becoming a member of Faculty in 2000. She has been a part-time sheriff, a commissioner of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, and a member of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland.

Dr Joseph Morrow, now a non-practising member, is President of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland and was also appointed Lord Lyon King of Arms in January 2014.

The new silks, except Shelagh McCall who was in Campbeltown, were welcomed by Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Carloway, at the ceremony marking the opening of the new legal year in the First Division courtroom in Parliament House.

He said: “For each of you, the rank and dignity of Queen’s Counsel is hard-earned and well deserved. I wish you the best of good fortune in this new chapter of your respective careers.”