WIREDGOV

New role created as part of court reform.

Scotland’s first summary sheriffs have been appointed as part of the major modernisation of the court system.

The Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 created a new judicial office of summary sheriff to deal with some types of civil and criminal cases in the sheriff court. The move is part of the government’s reform of the system to improve efficiency and ensure the right cases are heard in the right courts.

Twelve summary sheriffs have now been appointed and will take up office in April and May. These are as follows:

Summary sheriffs appointed for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, sitting at Glasgow Sheriff Court, are: Brian Cameron, Robin Christie, Allan Findlay, Tony Kelly, Frances McCartney and Mary McCrory.

Summary sheriffs appointed for Grampian, Highland and Islands, based at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, are: Margaret Hodge, Christine McCrossan and Morag McLaughlin.

Summary sheriffs appointed for South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, and based between Airdrie, Ayr and Hamilton sheriff courts, are: Sara Matheson, Mhairi Mactaggart, Andrew McIntyre and Allan McKay.

Derek Livingston has been appointed as a summary sheriff for Tayside, Central and Fife based at Falkirk Sheriff Court.

Part-time stipendiary magistrates will become part-time summary sheriffs from 1 April: J Kevin Duffy, Colin Dunipace, Sukhwinder Gill, David Griffiths, J Euan Edmont, Diana McConnell. 

(Background information on appointees available on request)

Notes To Editors

The summary sheriff appointees were appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of the First Minister.

The First Minister received recommendations by the independent Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland.

The Act also abolishes the office of stipendiary magistrate and from 1 April 2016 the two current serving stipendiary magistrates, Robin Christie and Allan Findlay, will become summary sheriffs.

The salary of a summary sheriff is £106,040 per annum.

The role of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland is to recommend individuals for appointment to judicial offices within the Board’s remit including judge of the Court of Session, chair of the Scottish Land Court, sheriff principal, sheriff, and summary sheriff.

The First Minister retains the statutory responsibility for making recommendations to Her Majesty the Queen and is required by statute to consult the Lord President of the Court of Session before making her recommendation.