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Appointment of part-time sheriffs
20/06/2008
Scottish Ministers have announced today three new appointments to the office of part-time sheriff.
The appointments were recommended by the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland. The names of those appointed, together with a brief biographical note, are:
John Rafferty
Mr Rafferty is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1981. He was a partner with Maguire Cook and Co, Solicitors in Glasgow until 1992 and is currently a partner in Rafferty Wood and Co, Solicitors in Castlemilk, Glasgow. Mr Rafferty is a tutor and internal examiner in the Glasgow Graduate School of Law.
Peter Gerald Laurie Hammond
Mr Hammond is a graduate of the University of Dundee. He was admitted as a solicitor in August 1986, becoming a partner of Ross Strachan and Co. Solicitors in Dundee in 1990. In June 1992 Mr Hammond was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates. He was a temporary sheriff from 1998 until 1999 and a part-time chairman of the Rent Assessment Panel for Scotland from 1997 to 2003. He served as an Advocate Depute from 2004 until 2007.
Mr Mark Richard Thorley
Mr Thorley is graduate of the University of Aberdeen. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1987 and is a partner of Thorley Stephenson, Solicitors in Edinburgh.
Part-time sheriffs were first appointed in 2000. They assist in maintaining the programme of business in the courts when full-time sheriffs are unavailable owing to sick leave or attendance at training.
Part-time sheriffs may also assist when the court programme experiences increases in business which cannot be accommodated without additional judicial assistance. Most part-time sheriffs have a continuing professional practice as either an advocate or a solicitor.
All the new appointments were recommended by the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland. The qualifications required for part-time sheriffs are the same as those for full-time sheriffs. Part-time sheriffs are paid a daily fee for each day of service, currently £575.