First Minister welcomes appointment of new Lord Justice Clerk

The First Minister has offered his “warmest congratulations” to Scotland’s new Lord Justice Clerk following his appointment by the King.

Lord Beckett will succeed Lady Dorrian as Scotland’s second most senior judge after she retires on Monday February 3.

A former Solicitor General, Lord Beckett was appointed a Supreme Court judge in May 2016, then elevated to the Inner House of the Court of Session in July 2023.

He has been involved in work to review court procedures for sexual offence cases, improve trauma training for judges, and simplify the guidance given to juries.

First Minister John Swinney, who nominated him for the role based on the advice of a selection panel, said: “I offer my warmest congratulations to Lord Beckett on his appointment as Lord Justice Clerk, reflecting a long and distinguished career of service in Scotland’s legal system.

“The Lord Justice Clerk is one of the great offices of state in Scotland and the second most senior figure in the judicial system, with a prominent role in the criminal appeals system.

“It is a significant appointment that requires careful consideration, so I am very grateful to the members of the selection panel for their advice before I nominated Lord Beckett.”

He also praised the “significant” legacy of Lord Beckett’s predecessor Lady Dorrian, who was appointed to the position in 2016.

“Lady Dorrian was the first woman appointed to such a senior judicial office in Scotland,” Mr Swinney said.

“Her legacy will be significant, not only for that reason but as a result of her advocacy for vulnerable victims and witnesses, and her commitment to making court proceedings more transparent.

“Lady Dorrian leaves office with my gratitude and best wishes for the future.”

Lord Beckett was admitted as a solicitor in 1986 and worked in private practice before being admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1993.

In 2003 he was appointed as an advocate depute, and he became a Queen’s Counsel in 2005.

He served as Solicitor General for Scotland in 2006, became a sheriff in 2008, and was appointed as an appeal sheriff on the establishment of the Sheriff Appeal Court in 2015.

The outgoing Lord Justice Clerk said being in the role had been a “huge privilege”, and that she is “pleased” to be handing over to Lord Beckett.

“He is passionate about improving the experience of complainers and witnesses in court,” she said.

“He was part of the working group which I chaired on the management of sexual offence cases, which will stand him in good stead for the reforms which will be coming in over the next few years.”

Lord President Lord Carloway, who is also stepping down in February, described Lord Beckett as a “very experienced judge” who has presided over some of the highest-profile trials in recent times.

“His extensive knowledge of criminal cases, together with his work on evidence on commission and on case management in the High Court, makes him an excellent appointment as Lord Justice Clerk,” Lord Carloway said.

“I wish him well in this extremely important office.”

Lord Beckett will be sworn in as the Lord Justice Clerk by Lord Pentland at a ceremony on Tuesday.