New commissioners appointed to Scottish Law Commission

The SLC was established under the Law Commissions Act 1965 for the purposes of promoting the reform of the law of Scotland, and reviewing the law with a view to its systematic development and modernisation.

David Johnston QC (pictured right) practices at the bar, where he specialises in public and commercial law.

He was appointed a QC in 2005. From 1993-1999 he was Regius Professor of Civil Law at the University of Cambridge.

He is an honorary professor at Edinburgh Law School, appointed in 2000. Mr Johnston’s publications include Prescription and Limitation (2nd edition, 2012) and other books and articles on Roman law, Scots law and legal history.

This appointment is for five years and will run from January 26, 2015 until January 25, 2020.

The appointment is part-time (half-time of full-time hours) and attracts remuneration of £52,834 per annum.

Caroline Drummond (pictured right) has been a solicitor in private practice for 32 years.

She brings to the commission extensive experience of property law, having been a partner at Burness Paull for 27 years.

Mrs Drummond has focused on property development, investment and commercial leasing work with a broad spectrum of clients in both the private and public sectors.

She is also a recognised expert in the field of commercial property.

This appointment is for five years and will run from February 2, 2015 until February 1, 2020. The appointment is full-time and attracts a remuneration of £105,668 per annum.

Mr Johnston and Mrs Drummond do not hold any other ministerial appointments.

This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

The SLC provides that all appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

In accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, however, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.

Mr Johnston and Mrs Drummond have undertaken no such political activity in the last five years.