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Appointment of sheriff
16/09/2008
Her Majesty the Queen, on the recommendation of the First Minister, has appointed Johanna Johnston QC as an All Scotland Floating Sheriff.
Miss Johnston will be assigned to the Sheriffdom for South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway based at Hamilton.
First Minister Alex Salmond nominated Johanna Johnston for appointment on the basis of a report by the independent Judicial Appointments Board.
Miss Johnston (48) graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 1980 and gained a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice from the University of Edinburgh in 1981.
Miss Johnston was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1992, practising at both the Junior and Senior Bar. She took silk and was appointed as a part-time sheriff in 2003.
The salary of a sheriff is £126,400 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.