COPFS: First all women senior prosecutor team in Scotland marked by new appointment

The appointment of a new principal crown counsel in Scotland marks the first time the three most senior prosecutorial roles in Scotland have been held by women at the one time.

This was achieved following the appointment of Ashley Edwards QC as principal Crown counsel by the Lord Advocate.

Ms Edwards will lead the advocate depute team in the prosecution of serious crime.

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She will report directly to Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC and Solicitor General for Scotland Ruth Charteris QC.

The Lord Advocate said: “Ashley is an outstanding lawyer, who is eminently qualified for this role.

"Since returning to Crown Office in the summer of last year, I have been hugely impressed by the way she approaches the important work done by the Crown. I am confident she will build upon the contributions of Stephen O’Rourke, who so tragically died in December, and Alex Prentice, who was PCC before him.”

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Ms Edwards was previously deputy PCC and has been an advocate depute since 2008.

Right to left: Solicitor General for Scotland Ruth Charteris QC, Ashley Edwards QC principal Crown counsel and Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC (Photo: COPFS).Right to left: Solicitor General for Scotland Ruth Charteris QC, Ashley Edwards QC principal Crown counsel and Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC (Photo: COPFS).
Right to left: Solicitor General for Scotland Ruth Charteris QC, Ashley Edwards QC principal Crown counsel and Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC (Photo: COPFS).

She has extensive experience in dealing with a wide breadth of criminal law cases.

These cover those involving non-accidental injuries to children, deaths in custody, health and safety prosecutions, and conduct of appeals.

Ms Edwards gained a BSc in Pharmacology before turning to law.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Ms Edwards’ background makes her “ideally placed to deal with scientific and medical aspects of a prosecution”.

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This includes in areas examining DNA, forensic medical, psychological and psychiatric evidence.

She is also experienced in the examination of children and vulnerable witness using special measures.

Among cases Ms Edwards has dealt with was the prosecution of the office of Chief Constable of Police Scotland for health and safety failings following the M9 accident that killed John Yuill, 28, and Lamara Bell, 25.

Other new appointments include Richard Goddard QC who has been promoted from assistant to deputy PCC, Susanne Tanner QC, who was recently appointed assistant PCC and has been joined in that role by Lisa Gillespie QC.

Mr Prentice continues as senior trial counsel and director of advocate depute training.

Gavin Anderson, Lorraine Glancy and John Keenan are to become senior advocate deputes.

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