Scotland’s longest-serving judge has been appointed Lord President, the head of the judiciary. Lord Gill will replace Lord Hamilton, who retires next Friday.
It has also been confirmed that Lord Boyd, the former Lord Advocate, is to be one of three new senators of the College of Justice, or judges — an anticipated decision that has already been seen as controversial because of his role in the Lockerbie bombing trial.
Lord Gill’s appointment as Lord President was welcomed by advocates. Brian McConnachie, QC, vice-chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said: “I think it is the sensible appointment . . . a positive appointment.
“He is somebody who has contributed a great deal to the law within Scotland and it seems right that that is recognised by his appointment to the highest judicial office here. He can be a very difficult judge but is clearly a very intelligent man who has the ability to get to the heart of the problem very quickly.
“He is somebody [to whom] you don’t need to effectively make your submissions twice because once you have said something he has got the point. Sometimes, when necessary, he makes it clear he has got the point.”
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The office of Lord President is the most senior judicial office in Scotland and the office-holder is responsible for leadership of the entire Scottish judiciary, in addition to chairing the Board of the Scottish Court Service. It carries with it a salary of £214,165 a year.
Lord Gill graduated from the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh and lectured in the capital before being admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1967. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1981 and as a judge in 1994.
He chaired the public inquiry into the explosion in 2004 at the Stockline factory in Glasgow, which killed nine people.
Alex Salmond, the First Minister, who nominated Lord Gill, gave a warm reaction to his appointment. He said: “His commitment to reform and modernisation is clear and under his leadership I am confident there will be substantial improvements to the justice system.
“He is an individual of great stature and integrity and in leading Scotland’s judiciary will enjoy the respect and confidence of those around him. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Lord Hamilton for his leadership over the last few years in establishing the new role of the Lord President and the new governance arrangements for the Scottish Court Service.
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“The changes introduced by the Judiciary and Courts Act were of considerable constitutional significance and their successful introduction will stand as a testament to his period in office.”
The Queen, on the recommendation of the First Minister, also appointed Lord Boyd, QC, Michael Jones, QC, and David Burns, QC, as senators of the College of Justice. Lord Boyd’s appointment came as questions continue to surround the Lockerbie bombing trial. As Lord Advocate, Lord Boyd led the prosecution during the trial.
When the appointment first emerged earlier in the year, Tam Dalyell, the former MP and Father of the House of Commons, said: “The fact he may well become a judge should not inoculate Lord Boyd from the obligation to answer questions on Lockerbie over the period that he headed the Crown Office.”