This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New sheriffs appointed
30/03/2007
Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of three new sheriffs for Scotland's sheriff courts.
First Minister Jack McConnell nominated the candidates for appointment on the basis of a report to him by the independent Judicial Appointments Board.
The names of those appointed are:
Norman Ritchie QC, Seán Murphy QC, and Douglas Kinloch, Advocate
The new appointees will have Commissions which would enable them to serve where required throughout Scotland's 49 sheriff courts, but in practice they will serve in specific sheriffdoms where help is most needed.
The three appointments arise from retirals and transfers amongst serving sheriffs.
Appointments and transfers of serving sheriffs
The following appointments are also announced.
Glasgow
Sheriff Fiona Reith (Glasgow) has transferred to Edinburgh to fill the vacancy arising from the retiral of Sheriff Ian Simpson. Sheriff Michael O'Grady (Glasgow) will transfer to Edinburgh to fill the vacancy arising from the retiral of Sheriff Isobel Poole. Sheriffs Martin Jones and Margaret Liddell, who currently hold posts as floating sheriffs, will become resident sheriffs at Glasgow in place of Sheriffs Reith and O'Grady respectively. Sheriff Norman Ritchie and Sheriff Seán Murphy will fill the vacancies for floating sheriffs at Glasgow in succession to Sheriffs Jones and Liddell.
Lothian and Borders
Sheriff Peter Gillam will transfer from a resident post at Linlithgow to fill the vacancy at Haddington arising from the retiral of Sheriff George Presslie. Sheriff Martin Edington, currently a floating sheriff in Lothian and Borders, will fill Sheriff Gillam's resident post at Linlithgow. Sheriff Douglas Kinloch will replace Sheriff Edington as a floating sheriff in Lothian and Borders.
Kilmarnock
Sheriff Alastair Watson, currently a floating sheriff in North Strathclyde, will become a resident sheriff at Kilmarnock following the retiral of Sheriff Colin McKay. The floating post vacated by Sheriff Watson will be filled by Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane who already holds a Commission as a floating sheriff for all-Scotland.
Hamilton
Sheriff Shiona Waldron has moved to fill the resident vacancy at Hamilton which arises from the retiral earlier this year of Sheriff William Gibson.
Norman Ritchie QC (49)
Admitted as a solicitor in 1980 and to the Faculty of Advocates in 1990, Mr Ritchie took silk in 2003. As a solicitor he was involved in general practice and from 1982 to 1990 served as procurator fiscal depute in Hamilton and Glasgow. As an advocate his practice was in the criminal court and he worked as an Advocate Depute between 2000 and 2003. In July 2005, Mr Ritchie was appointed as a part-time sheriff.
Seán Murphy QC (47)
Admitted as a solicitor in 1991 and to the Faculty of Advocates in 1992, Mr Murphy took silk in 2003. He started as a civil and criminal court solicitor with Ross Harper and Murphy in Glasgow before joining the Faculty to be engaged in civil and criminal litigation as a junior member. In 1998 Mr Murphy joined the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service as an Advocate Depute to prosecute in the High Court and conduct criminal appeals on behalf of the Crown. He gained three years experience of conducting civil litigations during his appointment as a Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Executive. In 2003 Mr Murphy returned to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service as a Senior Advocate Depute.