Lady Paton appointed as Chair of the Scottish Law Commission

19 Dec 2018

The Scottish Law Commission is delighted that Lady Paton has been appointed as its new Chair from 1 January 2019 until 31 December 2023.  Lord Pentland, the current Chair of the Commission, said today:

"I congratulate my judicial colleague, Lady Paton, on her appointment as my successor as Chair of the Scottish Law Commission.  I wish her every success in the role.  The importance of systematic law reform by the country’s independent law reform agency cannot be underestimated.  It is vital for our society that the law is kept up to date and in tune with today’s values and beliefs.  It is critical also for the prosperity of the country that business and commerce can rely on a legal system that meets modern needs.  The Scottish Law Commission exists to promote reform of Scots Law.  I am confident that Lady Paton will take forward the work of the Commission with these aims clearly in view".

The Scottish Government has issued the following news release:

19 December 2018

"Chair Appointed to Scottish Law Commission 

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice today announced the appointment of the Rt Hon Lady Paton as Chair of the Scottish Law Commission.

 CHAIR

 Lady Ann Paton is an appeal court judge in Scotland.  Having graduated MA LLB in 1974, she  became an advocate at the Scottish Bar in 1977, a QC in 1990, a judge in 2000, and an appeal court judge in 2007.  She is experienced in both civil and criminal law, and prosecuted crime in the High Court as an advocate-depute (1992-1995).  Lady Paton served on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (1995-1999) and the Parole Board (2003-2007).  Her publications include Gloag & Henderson, Law of Scotland (8th, 9th and 10th editions) and McEwan & Paton, Damages for Personal Injuries in Scotland (1st and 2nd editions). 

APPOINTMENT 

This appointment will be for five years and will run from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2023. 

This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland. 

TIME COMMITMENT 

This appointment is made on a part-time basis, with 60 per cent of Lady Paton’s time being spent on Commission business, and the remainder of her time devoted to her judicial functions.  Lady Paton retains her judicial salary and receives no additional payment for this work. 

OTHER MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS 

Lady Paton does not hold any other ministerial public appointments. 

POLITICAL ACTIVITY  

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 within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.    

Lady Paton has had no political activity within the last five years. 

BACKGROUND  

The Scottish Law Commission was established under the Law Commissions Act 1965 for the purposes of promoting the reform of the law of Scotland, and reviewing the law with a view to its systematic development and modernisation".  

The news release can be found here: http://www.appointed-for-scotland.org/news/