Lord President selection process begins

20th July 2015 | careers

A panel has been appointed to select the next head of Scotland's judiciary, as a two week window opened today to apply for the position.

The successful applicant for the position of Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General will succeed Lord Gill, who was Scotland’s longest serving judge when he retired on 31 May. The Lord President is responsible for leadership of the entire Scottish judiciary, in addition to chairing the board of the Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service. 

The panel chosen by the First Minister includes senior members of the judiciary, along with two members of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland. It comprises:

  • Sir Muir Russell, chair of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland;
  • Mrs Deirdre Fulton, Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland;
  • The Rt Hon Lord Reed, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom; and
  • The Rt Hon Lady Dorrian – senator, Inner House of the Court of Session.

The post is being advertised from today, with applications invited by Monday 3 August 2015. The selection panel will interview shortlisted candidates, and make recommendations to the First Minister, shortly afterwards.

Eligibility for appointment as Lord President is open to:

  • serving Court of Session judges;
  • sheriffs principal and sheriffs who have held continuous office for at least five years immediately preceding appointment;
  • solicitors who have had rights of audience in both the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary for a continuous period of at least five years immediately preceding the appointment;
  • advocates of at least five years standing;
  • Writers to the Signet of 10 years' standing who have passed an examination in civil law set by the Faculty of Advocates, two years before appointment.

The First Minister must have regard to the panel's recommendations, but is not bound by them. She in turn then makes her nomination to the Prime Minister, after statutory consultation with the Lord Justice Clerk, and the Prime Minister recommends a name to the Queen, provided that person has also been nominated by the First Minister.