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Appointment of sheriff
10/04/2008
Her Majesty the Queen, on the recommendation of the First Minister, has appointed John Beckett QC as an all-Scotland floating sheriff based in Glasgow.
First Minister Alex Salmond nominated Mr Beckett for appointment on the basis of a report by the independent Judicial Appointments Board.
Mr Beckett will have a commission enabling him to serve where required throughout Scotland's sheriff courts, but in practice he is expected to sit mostly in the Sheriffdom of Glasgow and Strathkelvin.
Mr Beckett (45) is a graduate of Edinburgh University. Between 1986 and 1992 he practised as a solicitor in Edinburgh. He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1993, taking silk in 2005.
Mr Beckett was junior defence counsel in the Lockerbie trial and appeal. From 2003-2006 he served as an advocate depute. He was Solicitor General for Scotland from 2006 until 2007.
This appointment fills the vacancy that arose on Sheriff Alan Mackenzie, a floating sheriff based in Glasgow, becoming a resident sheriff there following the retirement of Sheriff Brian Kearney.
The salary of a sheriff is £123,000 per annum.
The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland was established by Ministers in 2002. The Board is an independent advisory body whose role is to recommend for appointment to the office of judge, sheriff principal, sheriff and part-time sheriff. The First Minister retains the statutory responsibility for making nominations to Her Majesty the Queen. The First Minister is required by statute to consult the Lord President of the Court of Session before making his nomination to Her Majesty.