The Rt Hon 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 a distinguished 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.
Background
When the office of Lord President is vacant the provisions of section 4 of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 apply. Anything falling to be done by the Lord President will now be done by the Lord Justice Clerk.