New silks appointed

Twelve new Queen’s Counsel have been appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The new appointees are: Jennifer Bain, Advocate; Duncan Hamilton, Advocate; Graeme Hawkes, Advocate; Robert Hayhow, Advocate; Archibald MacSporran, Advocate; Kirsty Malcolm, Advocate; David McNaughtan, Advocate; Graeme Middleton, Advocate; Mark Moir, Advocate; Catherine Smith, Advocate; Laura-Anne van der Westhuizen, Advocate; and Paul Kearney, Solicitor Advocate.

“The Faculty extends its congratulations to all the new silks, and wishes them all the best as they move forward in their careers and continue to promote access to justice,” said Roddy Dunlop QC, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates.

“Their new appointments are well-deserved, recognising the deep dedication and ongoing passion each of them have for the pursuit of excellence.”

The rank of Queen’s Counsel is generally reserved for those who have distinguished themselves in practice in the Supreme Courts. Advocates and solicitors with rights of audience in the Supreme Courts are eligible to apply to the Lord Justice General, Lord Carloway. Before making nominations to the First Minister, the Lord Justice General consults other judges, the Lord Advocate, the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates and the President of the Law Society of Scotland.

The independent observer of the process, Bill Thomson, was appointed with the agreement of the Lord Justice General and approval from the First Minister.