The course runs over five weeks and is the first phase of the devils’ training they will need to complete successfully to be admitted to the bar.

“We are delighted to welcome this year’s devils,” said Barney Ross, clerk of Faculty. “Faculty’s long-term future depends upon our continuing to attract lawyers of ability from all backgrounds to pursue a career at the bar, and to renew and invigorate our existing membership. The 18 new devils bring to Faculty a great variety of professional experiences from their careers to date, and it is especially pleasing to see an equal gender balance within this year’s cohort.”

His comments were echoed by Faculty’s deputy director of training and education, Gillian Ross, who said: “For the first time since I took up this post there is an equal number of female and male devils starting their training. I’m optimistic that this trend will continue in the years ahead.”

“It is refreshing to see so many talented candidates choosing to build on already successful careers by undertaking their devil’s training,” said the director of training and education at Faculty, Hugh Olson. “This is a bigger group than last year, and it is a pleasure to welcome them to Faculty.”

The new devils are: Louis Bendle, Ross Crawford, Alan Innes, Louise Jardine, Paul Keenan, Martin Lennon, Amelia Mah, Donald Mackay, Morag McEwan, Alannah McGinley, Jamie McGowan, Mairi-Clare McMillan, Shaun McPhee, Linzi McQuade, Rebecca Osborne, Kirsty Shaw, Iona Young and Sean White.