Scottish Sentencing Council website launched as recruitment timeline is revealed

Visitors will be able to keep up to date with plans for the SSC’s creation through its dedicated website, www.scottishsentencingcouncil.org.uk.

The first phase of the site has been unveiled, with the second phase to be completed when the council is formally established later this year.

In addition to the Lord Justice Clerk, currently Lord Carloway (pictured), who will be the statutory chair, five other judicial members will be appointed to the council.

Three legal members, a prosecutor, an advocate and a solicitor, will also be appointed.

The council’s membership will also include three lay members, including a constable and a victims’ expert. The lay members will be appointed by the Scottish ministers.

Recruitment exercises for the appointment of the legal and lay members of the council will take place over summer. It is intended to announce the full details of the recruitment process by 17 July.

Members will be appointed after statutory consultation, in time for formal establishment of the council in the autumn.

The Scottish Sentencing Council (Procedure for Appointment of Members) Regulations 2015 (No 225) set out the procedure that the must be followed for making appointments to the council.