Listen
Judicial Appointments Board
12/01/2009
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill today announced the appointment of two new lay members to the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland.
Professor Andrew Coyle CMG has been appointed to replace Barbara Duffner. Professor Coyle's appointment is for three years from January 5. He has an extensive background in the prison system and is currently a Professor of Prison Studies at the International Centre for Prison Studies based at the University of London. Professor Coyle has a long record of commitment to public service. As well as this appointment Professor Coyle has recently been appointed a member of the Administrative Justice and Tribunal Council.
Reverend John Miller has been appointed to replace Professor Alan Paterson. Reverend Miller's appointment is for three years from 1 March 2009. Reverend Miller has spent the majority of his career in Castlemilk East Church based in Castlemilk, Glasgow where he has lived and worked for 36 years. He has most recently been on a short term placement at St Columba's Presbyterian Church, Zimbabwe.
These new appointees replace members who have retired. The composition of the Board, five legal and five lay persons, remains unchanged.
Both appointments are part-time and carry a commitment of around 20 - 30 days a year. Both candidates are entitled to a daily fee of £290.
The appointments of the new lay members followed recommendations to Scottish Ministers by an independent selection panel chaired by the Rt Hon Lord Philip, retired judge of the Court of Session.
The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland was set up in 2002 with a remit to advise Ministers on the appointment of Judges, Sheriffs Principal and Sheriffs (both full-time and part-time). There are ten members, five legal members (a Judge, Sheriff Principal, Sheriff, an Advocate and a Solicitor) and five lay members including Sir Muir Russell as the lay Chairman.