This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Criminal justice appointments
27/01/2004
Ministers announced today that they would be
recommending to The Queen the appointment of Graham Bell QC
and Sandy Wylie QC as new Members of the Scottish Criminal
Cases Review Commission.
Announcing the appointments Justice Minister, Cathy
Jamieson said:
"I am very pleased to be able to recommend Mr Bell and
Mr Wylie from a strong field of candidates. They are
individuals who can bring considerable experience to the
Commission. I am confident that each will contribute fully
to the Commission's work and help to enhance the reputation
of the Commission as a key player in the criminal justice
system."
Graham Bell QC
Since he was called to the Bar, Graham Bell QC has been
instructed regularly in the Criminal Appeal Court. As both
Junior and Senior Counsel he has conducted many important
appeals. From 1998-2000 he was an Advocate Depute and
represented the Crown in the Appeal Court. From 2000
onwards he has acted ad hoc for the Crown.
Sandy Wylie QC
Sandy Wylie has had many years' experience of a wide
range of civil business and litigation. He has also spent
eight years as a member of the Scottish Legal Aid Board,
three years as an Advocate Depute and has several years
experience as a part-time Sheriff.
The Commission
The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission commenced
its operation in April 1999. It has powers to refer cases
to the High Court where it believes that a miscarriage of
justice may have occurred and where it considers that it is
in the interests of justice to do so.
The appointments, which are part-time, will commence on
1 February 2004 and be for a period of four years. The
current daily fee for members is £230. The appointments are
in accordance with the rules issued by the Office of the
Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). The appointees
hold no other Ministerial appointments and have not been
involved in political activity in the last five years.
These Royal Appointments were made in accordance with
section 194A and Schedule 9A of the Criminal Procedure
(Scotland) Act 1995 as inserted by section 25 of the Crime
and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 and the Code of Practice
issued by the Office for the Commissioner for Public
Appointments. An Independent Assessor was involved in the
selection process.
By statute, at least one third of the Commission's
members are required to be legally qualified (either an
advocate or solicitor of at least 10 years' standing) and
at least two thirds must have knowledge or experience of
the criminal justice system. It was members who met the
former criterion who were sought at this time. 16
applications for membership of the Commission were
received.
The other Members of the Scottish Criminal Cases Review
Commission are Ms Ruth Anderson QC, Mr David Belfall,
Professor Peter Duff, Professor Sir Gerald Gordon QC CBE,
Mr James Mackay and the Commission's Chair is the Very
Reverend Graham Forbes.