Edinburgh author Alexander McCall Smith joins the No 1 lawyers

Published on Saturday 27 March 2010 10:34

BEST-SELLING detective book author Alexander McCall Smith has joined the legal profession.

He was called to the Bar during a ceremony yesterday as a non-practising member of the Faculty of Advocates.

The Emeritus Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh, who wrote the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency stories, said he was "honoured" by the appointment.

Speaking at the ceremony in Parliament House in Edinburgh, he said: "I am delighted to be joining, on a non-practising basis, so distinguished a body as the Faculty of Advocates.

"Scotland is immensely fortunate to have such a fine organisation as this and I am very honoured to be joining its ranks."

Richard Keen QC, dean of the Faculty of Advocates, said: "I am sure all members will join with me in welcoming such a distinguished addition to Faculty membership as Professor McCall Smith.

"Professor McCall Smith first applied for Faculty membership in 1981 but because of other professional commitments at the time was unable to follow that through."

The author already has a family link with the Faculty of Advocates with a relative, Anne McCall Smith, admitted in 1951.