Megrahi appeal QC to be a High Court judge

Published on 25/07/2012 00:00

One of Scotland’s top lawyers has been appointed as a High Court judge.

Maggie Scott, QC, who led the abandoned appeal case of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, was chosen as a Senator of the 
College of Justice by the Queen, following a recommendation from First Minister Alex Salmond.

It means she will sit as a judge in the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary.

Ms Scott, who represented Jodi Jones’ killer Luke Mitchell during his bid to take his appeal to the UK Supreme Court in London, will pick up a salary of £172,753 a year.

She is expected to take up the post later this year.

Mr Salmond is said to have nominated the high-profile QC on the basis of a report by the independent Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland.

Ms Scott also represented Tommy Sheridan during his perjury trial, but parted company with the former MSP during the proceedings in 2010.

Ms Scott became a solicitor in 1989 and was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1991, before becoming a QC in 2002.

Since 1991 she has been involved mainly in criminal 
defence work, specialising in 
appeals.

From 1995 she regularly acted as senior counsel and from 1996 for a period as an ad hoc advocate depute.

Ms Scott was appointed as a part-time sheriff in 2002.