Faculty members among new senatorial appointments

FACULTY is delighted to note the recent announcement of five new senators. In addition to two highly respected members of the Shrieval Bench, Sheriff Cubie and Sheriff Tait, the new senators will include members of Faculty Ronaldo Renucci KC, Kirsty Hood KC and Morag Ross KC. 

“Faculty (and I personally) have good reason to be grateful to all three of the elevated members,” said the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates Roddy Dunlop KC. 

Ronnie Renucci KC has been an Ad Hoc Advocate Depute since 2006. He took silk in 2018 and was the President of the Faculty of Advocates Criminal Bar Association (FACBA) from 2018 to 2020. Throughout his time at the Bar, he has been instructed in many high-profile cases. He was elected Vice-dean of the Faculty of Advocates in 2020. “I cannot speak highly enough of what he has done for Faculty, as Vice-dean and in his former role as President of FACBA. He has been an invaluable source of knowledge and support. I will deeply miss his wise counsel,” said Mr Dunlop. 

Kirsty Hood KC was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 2001 and took silk in 2015. She was Clerk of Faculty between 2014 and 2019 and was a member of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service Board from 2014 to 2021. She was appointed a Legal Member of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland in 2021 and has sat as a part-time Sheriff since 2022. She is the author of Conflict of Laws within the UK. “More recently, she has headed the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She has been of great assistance to me in the recent Short Life Working Group on the future of the profession,” Mr Dunlop said. 

Morag Ross KC qualified as a solicitor in 1999 and was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 2003. She served as a standing junior to the Scottish Ministers between 2008 and 2016. As an advocate, she practised in civil work, predominantly in public law, and often in matters with EU law dimensions. She was appointed as King’s Counsel in 2016. “Morag has been central to Faculty’s efforts in responding to government attempts to reform the regulation of the legal profession. She has also been a dedicated member of the Board of Faculty Services Limited (FSL),” said Mr Dunlop. 

“Faculty suffers a great loss in the departure of these three from the practising Bar. But our loss is justice’s gain, and the calibre of the Senatorial Bench is greatly enhanced by these appointments. They go with our very best wishes, and our assurance that they will always receive a warm welcome in the Advocates Library,” he concluded. 

Sheriff Andrew Cubie, Kirsty Hood KC, Ronnie Renucci KC and Morag Ross KC will take up their appointments on 17 June 2024. Sheriff Tait will take up post later but will carry out the duties of a temporary judge on a full-time basis from next month.