This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Chair appointed to Scottish Law Commission
28/12/2006
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson today announced the appointment of the Honourable Lord Drummond Young as the new Chair of the Scottish Law Commission.
Lord Drummond Young has been a Senator of the College of Justice since 2001. He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1976 and is a QC.
The appointment is for a period of five years commencing 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2011. Lord Drummond Young succeeds Lord Eassie, who has resigned his post in order to join the Inner House.
Ms Jamieson said:
"The work of the Scottish Law Commission is highly valued by the Scottish Executive. I am delighted that Lord Drummond Young has accepted the appointment of Chair. I am sure he will make an excellent contribution to the work of the Commission. His wide experience and skills ensure that he is well qualified to take forward the Commission's ongoing commitment to law reform in Scotland."
The appointment is made on a part time basis, with 60 per cent of Lord Drummond Young's time being spent on Commission business, and the remainder of his time devoted to his judicial functions. Lord Drummond Young retains his judicial salary and receives no additional payment for this work.
The Scottish Law Commission, along with its counterpart for England and Wales, was set up by the Law Commission Act 1965. It exists to keep the law of Scotland under review with a view to its modernisation, simplification and systematic reform. The Commission receives and considers proposals for changes in the law, examines particular branches of the law, and makes recommendations for law reform.
This Ministerial public appointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's Code of Practice.
All appointments are made on merit, and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. Lord Drummond Young has undertaken no political activities over the past five years and holds no other public appointments.