Listen

Part time sheriff appointed

27/06/2008

Scottish Ministers have announced today a new appointment to the office of part-time sheriff. The appointment was recommended by the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland.

William Summers is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen. He was admitted as a Solicitor in 1981 and as a Solicitor Advocate in 2003. Mr Summers was accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a commercial law mediator in 2004; he was a tutor in civil advocacy, and a civil reporter to the Scottish Legal Aid Board from 1997 until 2003.

Over the last 14 years he has been a partner with Davies, Wood, Summers, Solicitors in Aberdeen.

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.

Mr Summers was recommended for appointment 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.