Part time sheriff suspended over legal action

A part time sheriff has been suspended due to legal action against the solicitors' firm in which he was formerly a partner.

Peter Watson is named in the action raised against, among others, Glasgow firm Levy & McRae by the liquidators of collapsed investment managers Heather Capital. He had offered to stand down pending the outcome of the case, which it is understood will be defended.

A statement by the Judicial Office for Scotland confirmed: “On Friday 13 February the Judicial Office was made aware of the existence of a summons containing certain allegations against a number of individuals including part time sheriff Peter Watson. The Lord President’s Private Office immediately contacted Mr Watson and he offered not to sit as a part time sheriff on a voluntary basis, pending the outcome of those proceedings. Mr Watson emailed a copy of the summons to the Lord President’s Private Office on Saturday 14 February. On Monday 16 February the Lord President considered the matter. Having been shown the summons, the Lord President concluded that in the circumstances a voluntary de-rostering was not appropriate and that suspension was necessary in order to maintain public confidence in the judiciary. Mr Watson was therefore duly suspended from office on Monday 16 February 2015.”