NEWS

His Majesty has appointed Imran Bashir, Jennifer Gear, James MacDonald and Moira Price to the office of sheriff on the recommendation of the First Minister. 

First Minister John Swinney made his recommendation for appointment on the basis of a report by the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland.

The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland is an independent advisory public body with the role of recommending individuals for appointment to judicial offices within the Board’s remit.

The First Minister has statutory responsibility for making recommendations to His Majesty the King and is required by statute to consult the Lord President of the Court of Session before making his recommendation.

The salary of a sheriff is £179,939 per annum.

 

Sheriff	Sheriffdom	Court	Appointment Date
Jennifer Gear	Grampian Highland and Islands	Lerwick	7 September 2026
Moira Price	North Strathclyde	Oban & Campbeltown	7 September 2026
Imran Bashir	South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway	Dumfries	7 September 2026
James MacDonald	South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway	Dumfries	7 September 2026

 

Jennifer Gear graduated from the University of Glasgow with LLB (Hons), thereafter obtaining the Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Dundee. After completing a traineeship at Morton Fraser, she predominantly practised family law at Miller Hendry in Perth and Thorley Stephenson in Edinburgh. She relocated to Shetland and commenced at Harper Macleod in 2016, becoming a partner in 2022. She subsequently moved to Shetland Islands Council, undertaking education and social work law. Jennifer has been a member of the National Safeguarders Panel, a child welfare reporter at Lerwick and Kirkwall Sheriff Courts and a board member of Relationship Scotland Shetland. 

Moira Price graduated from Strathclyde University with a LLB (Hons) degree in 1989, and the Diploma in Legal Practice in 1990. She trained at Hughes Dowdall Solicitors before joining the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in 1992. She obtained a Diploma in Forensic Medical Sciences from Glasgow University in 1997. From 2001-2006 she co-ordinated the Scottish Drug Courts. As a prosecutor, she has held a variety of senior roles including Deputy Head of the National Homicide Unit, National Procurator Fiscal for Domestic Abuse, Deputy Head of Policy Division and Head of the Appeals Unit.

Imran Bashir graduated from the University of Strathclyde with an LLB (Hons) degree in 1999 and thereafter obtained a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Glasgow Graduate School of Law in 2000.  He trained with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service prior to being appointed as a Procurator Fiscal Depute in 2004 and thereafter a Principal Procurator Fiscal Depute. He has extensive experience of appearing in sheriff and jury courts and also worked in a number of specialised areas within COPFS including economic crime and health and safety. He was granted extended rights of audience in 2022 and since 2023 has served as an Advocate Depute.  He has been a tutor of Criminal Litigation for the Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow since 2022.  

James MacDonald graduated from the University of Strathclyde with LLB (Hons).  He was a solicitor for 12 years, latterly as partner of McArthur Stanton, Dumbarton. He was a solicitor advocate in both civil and criminal courts and called to the Bar in 2005. He was appointed ad hoc advocate depute in 2007.  He Served as legal member of Parole Board for Scotland 2014-2017.  Appointed as Summary Sheriff in 2016 to the Sheriffdom of Tayside, Central and Fife until 2023.  Before transferring in 2023 to Lothian and Borders.