New sheriffs appointed

Number of sheriffs in Scotland now at 142

News, 29 September 2006

Nine new sheriffs have been appointed to Scotland's sheriff courts.

Those appointed are: Ruth Anderson QC; solicitor Maxwell Hendry; Martin Jones QC; solicitor Desmond Leslie; solicitor Elizabeth McFarlane; solicitor advocate Alan Mackenzie; Charles Macnair QC; solicitor Thomas Millar; and advocate Nigel Ross.

Ruth Anderson QC (59) was admitted as a solicitor in 1972, to the Faculty of Advocates in 1991 and took silk in 1999. Miss Anderson served as an advocate depute from 1998 to 2001. She is currently a self employed QC and has been serving as a part-time sheriff since June 2002.

Maxwell Hendry (50) was appointed as a part-time sheriff in May 2003, and admitted as a solicitor in 1981. He was a member of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland for five years and acted as a Curator ad Litem to assist sheriffs in reaching a view on matters relating to children.

Martin Jones QC (50) has practiced both criminal and civil cases. He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1994 and took silk in 2003. Since May 2003 Mr Jones has been serving as a part-time sheriff.

Desmond Leslie (51) served his legal apprenticeship with Jno Shaughnessy Quigley & McColl from 1980 until 1982 when he was admitted as a solicitor. Between 1995 and 1998 Mr Leslie was a part-time chairman of the Child Support Tribunal and was appointed as a part-time sheriff in June 2004.

Charles Macnair QC (51) was admitted as a solicitor in 1982, to the Faculty of Advocates in 1988 and took silk in 2002. His practice at the bar both as junior and senior counsel has been mainly in family law. In September 2005 Mr Macnair was appointed as a part-time sheriff.

Alan Mackenzie (50) was called to the bar in July 1993 and served as an advocate depute from 2003 to 2006. He was an apprentice solicitor with Courtney, Crawford & Co and was admitted as a solicitor in June 1980.

Elizabeth McFarlane (45) was admitted as a solicitor in 1985. She was a trainee, assistant and partner with Gallen & Co until 1992. She is now a sole practitioner specialising in family law. Mrs McFarlane was appointed as a part-time sheriff in May 2003.

Thomas Millar (52) is accredited as a specialist in family law. Mr Millar was admitted as a solicitor in November 1976. He was appointed as a part-time peer reviewer by the Law Society and in July 2005 appointed as a part-time sheriff.

Nigel Ross (43) was admitted as a solicitor in September 1988 and to the Faculty of Advocates in December 1991. Mr Ross has also been an external reporter to the Scottish Legal Aid Board and was appointed as part-time sheriff in July 2003.

First Minister Jack McConnell said: "These appointments will bring the complement of sheriffs up to a record level of 142. I am sure that they will make an early impact in reducing delays in criminal trials and civil cases being heard.

"In addition to these permanent appointments, I have asked the Judicial Appointments Board to recommend a number of new part-time sheriffs and I await their report in due course."