Courts adjourn today

The Lord President, Lord Carloway, confirmed the closures. He said: “As a mark of respect for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, courts and tribunals across Scotland will adjourn today.

“As the nation enters a period of mourning, the judiciary will support the royal family and facilitate the arrangements being put in place to enable members of the public to pay their respects.”

All Queen’s Counsel are now King’s Counsel, with immediate effect, as per the Demise of the Crown Act 1901. The point was clarified in the Scots Law Times following the death of King George VI in 1952, after some initial confusion.

It states: “The fact is that Princess Elizabeth did not more surely become Queen on the lamented death of his late Majesty than King’s Counsel became Queen’s Counsel, and that without the necessity for any order or proclamation. This is not a matter of constitutional usage, but of direct statutory authority: see the Demise of the Crown Act 1901.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon praised the Queen’s “unwavering” commitment to public service.

“Millions around the world will share their grief but only they will feel the loss of a mother and grandmother,” she said.

“The Queen was unflinching in her dedication to duty, unwavering in her commitment to public service and unmatched in her devotion to the people of this country and the wider Commonwealth.

“We are all saddened by today’s news and will come together in the days ahead to mourn.

“But it is right and proper that we celebrate the unparalleled contribution she made in her 70 years as sovereign.”