Lord Gill to retire

Lord Gill, Lord President of the Court of Session and Scotland’s most senior judge, has announced his intention to retire on 31 May 2015, having completed three years’ service in that office.

Lord Gill, 73, was first appointed as a senator of the College of Justice in 1994 and is Scotland’s longest serving judge.

He was appointed Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General in June 2012, having held the position of Lord Justice Clerk from November 2001.

In the course of his legal career he has presided over some of the most significant changes to the Scottish legal system in over a century; in particular, the implementation of the proposals of the Scottish Civil Courts Review, which he led, as well as some major changes to criminal appeal procedure which are in the process of being implemented.

Under the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008, the First Minister will now establish a panel to recommend individuals who are suitable for appointment to fill the vacancy.

When the office of Lord President is vacant the provisions of section 4 of the 2008 Act apply.

Anything falling to be done by the Lord President will now be done by the Lord Justice Clerk.

Following the announcement James Wolffe QC, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, said: “Lord Gill’s career has been one of outstanding service to Scotland’s legal system. At the bar, he was an incisive advocate, in great demand. A learned Keeper of the Advocates Library, he authored the leading textbook on agricultural law.

“During his career as a judge, he has contributed greatly to the development of the law in judgments characterised by lucid prose and clarity of analysis. He led the Scottish Law Commission for five important years, before being appointed, successively, to the two most senior judicial offices in Scotland, as Lord Justice Clerk and then Lord President.

“As Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Gill led the Scottish Civil Courts Review, which recommended the most significant reforms of the administration of civil justice in Scotland since at least the early nineteenth century; and, as Lord President, he has masterminded their implementation.

“Those reforms reflect Lord Gill’s deep commitment to a modern, forward-looking justice system as the bedrock of a just and successful society.

“Although Lord Gill has announced his retirement, he has not yet quite retired. At this moment, I pay tribute to all that he has done so far for the law in Scotland, and I wish him a long and happy retirement when that day arrives.”

Alistair Morris, President of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “The Lord President has been a much respected figure throughout his highly distinguished legal career.

“He has long been committed to reform and the modernisation of Scotland’s justice system. Under his leadership the Scottish Civil Courts Review resulted in far reaching proposals for change and he leaves an important and lasting legacy when he retires at the end of this month.

“The timetable for civil justice reforms, set out by the Lord President in January this year, will transform our civil courts. Better use of technology, improved administration systems and greater judicial specialisation will make our courts more efficient, more accessible for court users and will help improve access to justice.

“We have had a very constructive working relationship with the Lord President during his time in office and on behalf of the Law Society of Scotland, I wish him well for his retirement.”