Twenty two part-time sheriffs appointed

Total now stands at record high of 80

News, 31 May 2006

The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland has appointed a further 22 part-time sheriffs, taking the total number to a recod high of 80.

Those appointed are:

Desmond McCaffrey (64) has been practising law since 1965, and was appointed as a solicitor advocate in 2002. He is also an external reporter with the Scottish Legal Aid Board.
Duncan L Murray (47) was admitted as a solicitor in 1982 and has been a partner with Morton Fraser Solicitors since 2002, specialising in civil litigation and employment law. He is a former President of the Law Society of Scotland.
George Jamieson (44) is currently a part-time immigration adjudicator and a consultant with Pattison & Sim, Paisley. He was admitted as a solicitor in Scotland in 1985 and in England and Wales in 2002.
Andrew M Mackie (42) is a partner with Andrew Mackie & Co, Paisley and a legally qualified panel member, chairing social security appeal tribunals. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1987.
Gerard W Sinclair (44) was admitted as a solicitor in 1985 and is currently the Chief Executive and Principal Solicitor for the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Michael M Wood (51) has been a partner in civil litigation practice Simpson & Marwick, Edinburgh since 1981. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1979.
Peter A Grant-Hutchison (49) was admitted as a solicitor in 1981 and to the Faculty of Advocates in 1988. He is also a part-time immigration adjudicator.
David W Hall (48) has been a partner in Hall and Haughey, Glasgow since 1991. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1981.
Valerie Johnston (48) is the sole practitioner in her own court-based practice in Dunfermline since 2004. She was admitted as a solicitor in 1983.
Marysia W Lewis (46) was admitted as a solicitor in 1981 and currently heads the planning and environmental law unit with Ledingham Chalmers, Aberdeen.
Philip Mann (53) is an honorary sheriff for the sheriff court district of Elgin. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1975 and is a senior partner with Stephen & Robb, Keith.
Kenneth J McGowan (48) was admitted as a solicitor in 1982 and as a solicitor advocate in 1998. He is currently a chairman for the employment tribunal.
Kenneth R Robb (53) is a member of the Panel for Disciplinary Proceedings and the Immigration Appellate Authority. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1978.
Jamie Gilchrist (46) was admitted as a solicitor in 1985 and to the Faculty of Advocates in 1994. He served as advocate depute from 1998 to 2001.
Linda S White (48) is a partner with Hill & Robb, Stirling and chairperson/board member of Family Mediation Central. She was admitted as a solicitor in October 1979.
Fiona Tait (40) was admitted as a solicitor in 1991 and is head of the family law team with Drummond Miller, Edinburgh. She is also a member of the Practising Certificate Committee.
Thomas Ward (53) was a temporary sheriff from 1991 to 2000 and is a part-time chairman with CICAP and a part-time immigration adjudicator. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1977 and as a solicitor advocate in 1995.
Margaret M Neilson (48) is the part-time chairman of tribunals (The Appeals Service). She was admitted as a solicitor in December 1984.
James M Hendry (47) is a court partner with Macleods WS, Inverness. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1981.
David L Stewart (64) was admitted as a solicitor in 1971 and is currently with Morton Fraser. He is also a part-time chairman with the employment tribunals.
Gerard P Macmillan (48) is a partner with Macmillans, Solicitors, Glasgow. He was admitted as a solicitor in August 1985.
Mark L Stewart (48) was admitted as a solicitor in 1984 and to the Faculty of Advocates in 1988. He practises criminal defence work in the Court of Appeal, the High Court and the sheriff courts.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said: "Experience shows that more part-time sheriffs can contribute to ensuring that cases are dealt with at the appropriate time. Ministers have responded by agreeing a significant increase in the number of people holding part-time sheriff commissions."

Most part-time sheriffs have other jobs as advocates or solicitors and they contribute on average about 40 days a year as part-time sheriffs.