News In Focus
31 March 2006
Legal Aid Board appointments announced
Three new members have been appointed to the Scottish Legal Aid Board.
Graham Bell QC, Paul McBride QC and Group Captain Graham Watson are the new appointees, while Ellen Morton and David Nicol have been reappointed and Margaret Scanlan's term on the board has been extended for one further year.
The appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £8,328 for a commitment of three and a half days per month, except for Mr Nicol and Mrs Scanlan whose bigger roles receive a remuneration of £10,707.
Graham Bell has been a member of the Scottish bar since 1980 and a Queen's Counsel since 1990. He is currently a member of the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Paul McBride joined the bar in 1988 and became the youngest Queen's Counsel in the UK in 2000 at the age of 35. He is currently vice chairman of the Faculty of Advocates criminal bar association and has served as an advocate depute.
Group Captain Graham Watson retired from the Royal Air Force in 2003 after 31 years' service. He is currently a member of Fife NHS Board where he is chair of the audit committee. He has more than 30 years of senior management experience in a wide range of appointments.
The new appointments and re-appointments are for four years to 31 March 2010.