Professor Gillian Black

Professor Black has held a ministerial appointment as commissioner of the Scottish Law Commission since 22 April 2020. 

She is leading the commission’s work on family law relating to civil remedies for domestic abuse. She also led the Scottish law commission’s work on surrogacy resulting in the publication of a joint report with the Law Commission of England and Wales in March 2023. 

Lady Paton, chair of the Scottish Law Commission said: “I am delighted that Professor Black has been reappointed as a commissioner for a further three years.

“She has already made a significant contribution to the commission and I look forward to her continuing to lead the important work in considering civil remedies for domestic abuse.” 

Professor Black is professor of Scots private law at the University of Edinburgh, with teaching and research interests principally in family law, contract law, and privacy.

She also has a research interest in heraldry, and has published widely across these fields. She is a graduate of the Universities of Glasgow (LLB, DPLP) and Edinburgh (PhD).

This reappointment will be for three years, from 22 April 2025 to 21 April 2028. The post is full-time and carries a remuneration of £105,668. Professor Black holds no other public appointments.