This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Appointment of Sheriff
17/11/2006
The Queen, on the recommendation of the First Minister has appointed Mr Andrew Berry, Solicitor Advocate, as a sheriff in the sheriffdom of Grampian, Highland and Islands.
Mr Berry was a successful candidate in the competition for the office of "floating" sheriff which was run by the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland earlier this year. Mr Berry will undertake most of his service in the sheriff court districts of Wick, Inverness and Lochmaddy but may give service elsewhere within the sheriffdom as required. Mr Berry will take up his duties in January 2007.
Background
Mr Andrew Berry (50) was born in Glasgow and graduated from Glasgow University in 1976. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1978 and as a Solicitor Advocate in 1994. Since 2002 he has been sole partner in the firm of Berry & Co, Solicitors, Cumbernauld. Mr Berry was appointed as a part-time sheriff in July 2005.
Mr Berry was successful in the competition for floating sheriff posts which was run by the Judicial Appointments Board in the Spring of 2006. He was recommended for appointment by the Board.
The Judicial Appointments Board was established by Ministers in 2001 as part of their commitment to making the process of appointment to the Bench more transparent and fair.
The Board is an advisory body whose role is to recommend names of new judges, sheriffs principal, sheriffs and part-time sheriffs to the First Minister who retains the statutory responsibility for making nominations to the Queen.