NEWS

The installation ceremony took place at the Court of Session in Edinburgh today following Lord Beckett’s appointment by His Majesty the King.

During the ceremony, the Royal Warrant appointing his Lordship as Lord Justice Clerk was read to the Court before the Lord President, Lord Pentland, administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath.

Lord Beckett then took his place on the bench.

Following the ceremony, the Lord President said: “I very much welcome the appointment of Lord Beckett as the new Lord Justice Clerk. I look forward to working with him and know of his dedication and experience which will be invaluable in the roles we have both been appointed to.

“We will work together as a partnership to continue to drive the reforms that are required and work with our judicial partners to make the court experience better for all. We are both indebted to Lord Carloway and Lady Dorrian for the improvements they have made, as well as their good wishes and support, as we take on the two most senior roles in the Judiciary. We both wish them well in the future.”

Lord Beckett said: “It is an honour to have been installed as Lord Justice Clerk and I look forward to working closely with the Lord President as we begin our new roles.

“I congratulate Lord Pentland on his appointment and know that his wealth of knowledge and experience will greatly assist our partnership as we continue on the work of our predecessors.

“I would like, also, to pay tribute to the outgoing Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Dorrian, who throughout her time in office sought to continually improve the justice system, notably by seeking to enhance the experiences of court users and, in particular, vulnerable complainers and witnesses.

“I wish both Lady Dorrian and Lord Carloway well in their retirements and thank them for their service and leadership over the last decade.”

Lord Beckett has presided over some of Scotland’s most high profile criminal cases in recent years.

He was appointed a temporary judge in 2008 and then a judge of the Supreme Courts in 2016. He was elevated to the Inner House of the Court of Session in July 2023. 

Lord Beckett served on Lady Dorrian’s review on improving the Management of Sexual Offence Cases and is a former Chair of the Judicial Institute.  

He has been at the forefront of training the judiciary in trauma informed practice.  He was involved in developing written directions for juries and the use of plain language in suggested jury directions.

He actively promoted the development of Evidence on Commission, chairing a cross-sector problem-solving user group and providing training and guidance.

Lord Beckett is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh and was admitted as a solicitor in 1986, working in private practice before being admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1993.  

He was appointed an advocate depute in 2003 and became a Queen's Counsel in 2005. He served as Principal Advocate Depute and then Solicitor General for Scotland in 2006. 

He became a sheriff in 2008 and was appointed as an appeal sheriff on the establishment of the Sheriff Appeal Court in 2015.  

By virtue of office, he will now become Chair of the Scottish Sentencing Council.