Eleven new part-time sheriffs appointed
19 Feb 07
Board welcomes gender mix but calls for greater spread of applicants
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson today announced the appointment of 11 new part-time sheriffs. Those appointed are:
Sheriff Colin McKay, who was appointed as a sheriff in 1990, initially serving as a floating sheriff in North Strathclyde, before becoming a resident sheriff at Kilmarnock in 2001. He will retire as a full-time sheriff in March 2007.
Sheriff Isobel A Poole, appointed as a sheriff in 1979, has served throughout at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. She retired in January 2007.
Ian Anderson was admitted as a solicitor in 1979 and is currently a partner with Burness LLP. He is also a part-time legal chairman in the Appeals Service and has been a part-time tutor on legal aid at the University of Edinburgh.
David Burns was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1977 and took silk in 1991. He served as an advocate depute from 1989 to 1991. He served as a temporary judge for three years from 2002 and has been a deputy social security commissioner since 1998.
Ailsa Carmichael was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1993 and is currently an ad hoc advocate depute. She also represents the UK Government as a standing junior counsel, particularly dealing with cases involving immigration and other administrative law.
David Clapham was admitted as a solicitor in 1981 and practised as a sole practitioner from 1984. He served as a temporary sheriff between 1998-2000. Mr Clapham is currently an immigration judge with the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal.
Fiona Davies was admitted as a solicitor in 1990, working in the public sector, and to the Faculty of Advocates in 1993.
Shirley Foran was admitted as a solicitor in 1980. In 1988, she joined Black Hay Solicitors in Ayr, where she is now a partner. She is an accredited specialist in family law, family mediation and a safeguarder.
Derek Livingston was admitted as a solicitor in 1980. Since 1981 he has been a partner in Naftalin Duncan & Co, Glasgow, dealing latterly with civil court work.
Raymond McMenamin was admitted as a solicitor in 1982 and as a solicitor advocate in 2000. In 1987 he became a partner with Keegan Walker & Co, Livingston and is now senior partner and head of the criminal litigation department.
Alasdair Oag was admitted as a solicitor in 1973. In 1980 he became a partner in Pollock & Oag and in 1988 set up his own business in Dumfries, dealing primarily in criminal court work and domestic conveyancing.
Most part-time sheriffs offer an average 40 days a year service.
Congratulating the new appointees, Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland Sir Neil McIntosh said: "Given the Board's remit on recruiting a diverse judiciary it is encouraging to see a trend toward an increasing number of female candidates being appointed on the basis of merit, although the Board would still be anxious to widen the range of candidates presenting themselves for consideration."