NEWS
Read our latest news including judicial speeches, consultations and consultation responses.
Published speeches reflect the individual judicial office holder's personal views, unless otherwise stated.
Lord President publishes first Annual Regulatory Report
Sep 9, 2026
The Lord President has today published the first of his Annual Regulatory Reports. The report provides an overview of the work that the Lord President has undertaken in his role of overseeing the legal profession in Scotland in the last 12 months.
Senators response to Consultation on Prison Population and Penal Reform
Sep 9, 2026
The Senators of the College of Justice have provided a response to the Scottish Government’s Consultation 'Prison population and penal reform – working towards a sustainable prison population'.
Sixteen new King's Counsel and three new Honorary King’s Counsel appointed
Sep 7, 2026
Sixteen new King’s Counsel have been appointed by His Majesty The King on the recommendation of First Minister John Swinney.
Four new Senators sworn in at the Court of Session
Sep 7, 2026
In historic ceremonies at the Court of Session, four new Senators of the College of Justice were sworn in this week. For the first time people of south Asian heritage have been appointed as Senators, while it also marks the first time a solicitor advocate from a major firm of solicitors has been appointed direct to the Supreme Courts.
Regulatory Judge meets with SLCC independent advisory panel to discuss implementation of new Act
Aug 27, 2026
Lord Ericht, who was appointed as Regulatory Judge last year by the Lord President, visited the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission to meet the SLCC’s independent advisory panel to hear about its plans for how it will implement the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 and the work which it will be doing to engage with consumer interests.
New sheriffs appointed
Aug 24, 2026
Serving the Sheriffdoms of Grampian, Highland & Islands, North Strathclyde and South Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway.
Judicial Office invites feedback on Judiciary of Scotland website
Aug 20, 2026
The Judiciary of Scotland website currently hosts information about Scotland’s judiciary and their work, including details on judicial decisions, appointments, sentencing and the Lord President’s role in the regulation of the legal profession. It further includes information about the roles of the Lord President, Lord Justice Clerk and President of Tribunals.
New Appointments to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal Scotland
Aug 17, 2026
The Lord President, Lord Pentland, has appointed nine members to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal Scotland effective from 1 September 2026.
Appointment of President and Vice President to Sheriff Appeal Court
Aug 14, 2026
Following the appointment of Sheriff Principal Anwar KC as a Senator of the College of Justice and the retirement of Sheriff Principal Murphy KC, the Lord President has appointed Sheriff Principal Gillian Wade KC as President of the Sheriff Appeal Court and Sheriff Principal Catherine (Kate) Dowdalls KC as Vice President.
Appointment of Temporary Sheriff Principal
Aug 4, 2026
On recommendation of the Lord President, Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, has appointed Sheriff Stuart Reid as Temporary Sheriff Principal of the Sheriffdom of Glasgow and Strathkelvin.
Lord President encourages responses to Faculty consultation on its Disciplinary Rules
Jul 17, 2026
Today the Faculty of Advocates has launched its public consultation on proposed changes to disciplinary rules for advocates in Scotland. After discussions with the Dean of Faculty in September 2025, the Lord President asked the Faculty to consult publicly on the draft rules, in October 2025.
Lord Mackay of Clashfern
Jul 8, 2026
The Lord President has paid tribute to Lord Mackay of Clashfern who has died at the age of 99.
New Sheriffs Appointed to the Sheriff Appeal Court
Jul 6, 2026
Three sheriffs have been appointed to the Sheriff Appeal Court.
Sheriffs Scott Pattison, Andrew McIntyre and Paul Brown have been appointed as appeal sheriffs by the Lord President, Lord Pentland. These appointments are effective from 06 July 2026. Each appointment is for one year.
His Majesty the King has appointed five new Senators
Jun 30, 2026
His Majesty the King, on the recommendation of the First Minister, has appointed Sheriff Principal Aisha Anwar KC, the Right Honourable Dorothy Bain PC KC, Liam Ewing KC, Indranil (Julian) Ghosh KC and Christine O’Neill KC to the Office of Senator of the College of Justice.
Lord Justice General presides over Law Officers' installation
Jun 19, 2026
At Parliament House today, Scotland’s new Lord Advocate and Solicitor General were sworn in by the Lord Justice General, Lord Pentland.
Lord President's address to the Royal Faculty of Procurators
Jun 5, 2026
The Lord President was recently invited to give a speech at the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow.
Lord President addresses Four Jurisdictions Conference
Jun 3, 2026
The Lord President recently welcomed everyone to the Four Jurisdictions Conference 2026 in Edinburgh. The Conference brings together barristers, advocates, and members of the judiciary from the Bars of Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Middle Temple, providing a forum for meaningful engagement across the four jurisdictions.
Joint UK Lands Tribunals Conference takes place at the Judicial Institute
May 28, 2026
Delegates from across Britain were welcomed to the Judicial Institute in Parliament House last week, for the Joint UK Lands Tribunals Conference.
First Minister sworn in at the Court of Session
May 20, 2026
John Swinney was sworn in by the Lord President as Scotland’s First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal, at a ceremony in the Court of Session this morning.
Sir Geoffrey Vos delivers Judicial Institute Lecture on AI and the Judiciary
May 5, 2026
Artificial Intelligence and the Judiciary was the topic for this year’s Judicial Institute Lecture, delivered by Sir Geoffrey Vos.