Lord President of the Court of Session

Lord President of the Court of Session is the presiding judge of the Court of Session, the supreme civil court in Scotland. The office was established in 1532, with the first holder being Alexander Mylne, Bishop of Glasgow. The Lord President is responsible for the administration of justice in Scotland, working closely with the High Court of Justiciary and the Scottish Court Service. The Lord President also plays a key role in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which hears appeals from Scotland, England and Wales, and Northern Ireland.

History of the Office

The office of Lord President of the Court of Session has a long and complex history, dating back to the Acts of the Parliament of Scotland in 1532. The Court of Session was established as the supreme civil court in Scotland, with the Lord President as its presiding judge. Over the centuries, the office has been held by notable figures such as James Dalrymple, 1st Viscount of Stair, George Mackenzie, and James Dundas, 1st Baron Dundas. The Lord President has played a significant role in shaping the law of Scotland, working closely with the Faculty of Advocates and the Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet. The office has also been influenced by significant events, including the Acts of Union 1707 and the Scotland Act 1998.

Role and Responsibilities

The Lord President of the Court of Session has a wide range of responsibilities, including presiding over the Court of Session and the Inner House. The Lord President is also responsible for the administration of justice in Scotland, working closely with the Lord Justice Clerk and the Scottish Ministers. The Lord President plays a key role in the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland, which is responsible for appointing judges to the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary. The Lord President also works closely with the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates to promote the interests of the legal profession in Scotland. The Lord President has also played a significant role in the development of the law of Scotland, working closely with the Scottish Law Commission and the University of Edinburgh.

Appointment and Tenure

The Lord President of the Court of Session is appointed by the Monarch on the recommendation of the First Minister of Scotland. The appointment is made under the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland, which is responsible for appointing judges to the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary. The Lord President typically serves until retirement, although they may be removed from office by the Monarch on the recommendation of the First Minister of Scotland. The Lord President is also subject to the Judicial Complaints Reviewer, which is responsible for investigating complaints against judges in Scotland. The Lord President has also been involved in significant events, including the Glasgow University affair and the Scottish Parliamentary election, 2011.

Powers and Jurisdiction

The Lord President of the Court of Session has significant powers and jurisdiction, including the power to preside over the Court of Session and the Inner House. The Lord President also has the power to hear appeals from the Outer House and the Sheriff Courts. The Lord President works closely with the High Court of Justiciary, which is the supreme criminal court in Scotland. The Lord President also has a significant role in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which hears appeals from Scotland, England and Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Lord President has also been involved in significant cases, including Donoghue v Stevenson and Salomon v A Salomon & Co Ltd.

Notable Lord Presidents

There have been many notable Lord Presidents of the Court of Session, including James Dalrymple, 1st Viscount of Stair, George Mackenzie, and James Dundas, 1st Baron Dundas. Other notable Lord Presidents include John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl, Charles Hope, Lord Granton, and James Avon Clyde, Lord Clyde. The current Lord President is Lord Carloway, who was appointed in 2015. The Lord President has also been involved in significant events, including the Scottish independence referendum, 2014 and the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016. The Lord President has worked closely with notable figures, including Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon, and Ruth Davidson. The Lord President has also been involved in significant institutions, including the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen, and the National Museum of Scotland.

Category:Scottish judges