Fifteen new King's Counsel appointed

FIFTEEN new King’s Counsel have been appointed by His Majesty The King on the recommendation of First Minister Humza Yousaf.

The new appointees are Dan Byrne, Advocate; Alan Caskie, Advocate; Donald Davidson, Advocate; Fiona Drysdale, Advocate; BJ Gill, Advocate; David Hay, Advocate; Malcolm McGregor, Advocate; Mark Mohammed, Advocate; Susan Ower, Advocate; Christopher Paterson, Advocate; Paul Reid, Advocate; Helen Watts, Advocate; Christopher Wilson, Advocate; Alan Cameron, Solicitor Advocate; and Graeme Jessop, Solicitor Advocate.

“Faculty extends its congratulations to all the new silks,” said Dean of Faculty Roddy Dunlop KC. “Their appointments recognise their significant commitment, and we wish them all the best in this next stage of their careers at the Bar.”

The rank of King’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, Scotland’s senior judge. 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, Lord Carloway and approval from the First Minister.