Lords are blessed at annual opening of Scotland’s new legal year

Published on 24/09/2012 02:01

THE annual opening of the new legal year in Scotland took place in St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh yesterday.

Lord Gill, alongside Lords Hardie, Drummond, Young and Matthews, were blessed in the cathedral by Archbishop of Glasgow Philip Tartaglia at the ceremony called the “Red Mass”.

Lord Gill was appointed Lord President – Scotland’s most 
senior judge – in June this year, replacing Lord Hamilton.

Alex Salmond described Lord Gill as a man of “great stature and integrity” who had the ability to improve the justice system.

Lord Gill was nominated for Lord President by Mr Salmond, following recommendations by a selection panel, and confirmed in the job by the Queen. He is Scotland’s longest serving judge and taught law at Edinburgh University before joining the faculty of advocates in 1967 and becoming a QC in 1981.