Judicial Appointments Board publishes annual report

The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland published its Annual Report today. This is the seventh report of the board as a statutory body.

Sir Muir Russell, chairing member, said: “The seventh Annual Report of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland as a statutory body, covering 2015-16, has been presented to the Scottish ministers and laid before the Scottish Parliament.

“The report gives details of appointment rounds completed or in progress in 2015- 16 for the offices of Sheriff, Summary Sheriff, and Senator of the College of Justice.

“I step down as chairing member in September 2016, having been appointed eight years ago, in 2008. At that time, the board was on the verge of its transition from its original non-statutory existence to becoming a statutory board under the 2008 Act. The board is now at another point of transition, with the assumption of responsibility for Tribunal appointments in Scotland. This will be a major task, with the number of appointments involved in some cases well in excess of anything we have dealt with to date.

“It has been a privilege to be the chairing member of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland since 2008. Highspots for me have included the range of successful appointment rounds conducted by the board, and above all the opportunity to develop processes of selection that command increasing confidence and promote diversity. As a consequence of my role I have had the privilege of participating in the processes that have led to the appointments of the top tier of Scottish judges – the Lord President, the Lord Justice Clerk (twice each) - and of most of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

“With strong and committed colleagues, I am confident that I leave the work of the board in good hands.”