Lord Carloway presides over last new legal year

Although the courts now run throughout the year, the traditional ceremony continues and the day included speeches from Lord Carloway, Dean of Faculty Roddy Dunlop KC and Susan Murray, president of the Law Society of Scotland.

The Lord President welcomed the 18 new King’s Counsel who have been appointed by His Majesty The King on the recommendation of First Minister John Swinney. They are: Desmond Cheyne, Marie Clark, Colin Edward, Edith Forrest, William Frain-Bell, Scott McAlpine, Ross McClelland, James  McConnell, David Moggach, Craig Murray, David Nicolson, Lili Prais, Gillian Ross, Usman Tariq, Laura Thomson, Angela Gray, solicitor; Kathleen Harper, solicitor and Iain Paterson, solicitor.

Lord Carloway also introduced the five new Honorary King’s Counsel appointees: Sheriff Principal Aisha Anwar; Professor James Chalmers; Professor Alan Paterson; Professor Stephen Tierney; and Judge Susan Walker.

In his final opening of the legal year ceremony before retiring, Lord Carloway made reference to the impact of technology within the courts during his time in office and the importance of embracing change.

He also commented on recent successes, such as the summary case management pilot and opening of the Dundee Justice Hub, which have occurred at a time when increasing number of trials are calling at court.