Sheriff Principal Kate Dowdalls KC

Kate Dowdalls KC was appointed Sheriff Principal of South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway in June 2023

She graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 1984. She then completed her traineeship and worked in private practice in Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Stirling. She was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 2000 and took silk in 2013. 

She specialised in family law, litigating in the Sheriff Court, Sheriff Appeal Court, Court of Session and UK Supreme Court. Sheriff Principal Dowdalls KC has also represented parties in fatal accident inquiries and a core participant in the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

From 2018 until May 2023 she was a Scottish Law Commissioner, leading the Aspects of Family Law project.