Sheriff Gerard Considine

Sheriff Gerard Considine

Gerry grew up in the Mount Vernon area of Glasgow with his parents, his brothers John and Phil and his sister Marie. He attended St Aloysius’ College before studying law at University of Strathclyde graduating in 1988. He commenced his traineeship with Fitzpatrick and Co. where he developed his legal skills and forged lifelong friendships.

Prior to his elevation to the bench, Gerry spent his entire legal career specialising in criminal defence work, becoming a partner in 1993 and running the firm’s Govan office. He was universally regarded both as a gifted lawyer and excellent court practitioner, who represented his clients with skill, tenacity and dedication, earning the respect of all of his colleagues, opponents and the bench.

The high regard in which he was held was reflected in the fact that, in the latter stages of his career, he practised almost exclusively as a solicitor-advocate, receiving instructions from many contemporaries who appreciated his calm and knowledgeable approach to cases in the knowledge that their clients would receive outstanding representation.

His election as president of the Glasgow Bar Association was an accolade of which he was rightly proud and again reflected his professional standing. He was an active member of the Law Society Criminal Law Committee and assisted in the development of the lawyers of the future as an external examiner with Strathclyde Law School.

His abilities were further recognised when he finally accepted the advice of many and sought judicial office. In typical fashion he was appointed to the bench at Glasgow Sheriff Court following his first ever application. In this role Gerry was able to apply his considerable legal knowledge together with his personal attributes of decency, integrity and courtesy. He genuinely appreciated this opportunity to help those who appeared before him and it is a further tragedy that this aspect of his career was cut so short.

As stated by Sheriff Principal Anwar: “He was a highly valued and respected colleague, who battled illness for many years with optimism and resolve.”

Tracey Mulholland, president of the Glasgow Bar Association, stated: “He was an absolute gentleman of a Sheriff. Everyone is devastated.” The Glasgow bench and the legal world is greatly diminished by his loss.

Notwithstanding his considerable achievements in the law however, Gerry was always far more proud of his role as a devoted husband to Bridget and a loving father to his children Daniel, Dennis, Stephen, Orla and Joseph. Gerry was never happier than when spending time with his family, and their annual holidays to Italy were always the highlights of his year. He also particularly enjoyed attending matches involving his beloved Celtic with his family.

It is no exaggeration to say that Gerry was regarded as one of the most highly respected lawyers of his generation and while he was an excellent sheriff and lawyer, more than that he was a wonderful family man, friend and colleague who enhanced the lives of everyone who knew him.

Our thoughts will always be with his family as they face their immeasurable loss – if a man can be measured by the family he leaves behind, then none can rank higher than Gerry.

Sheriff Colin Dunipace