Sheriffs stay on the bench

MORE than 100 judges and advocates led a procession from the Supreme Court to St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh yesterday for the annual "Kirking of the Court", marking the start of a new legal term.

A group of around 20 sheriffs boycotted the event, after they lost a battle to change the traditional pecking order of the parade, which sees advocates follow judges in the procession.

The sheriffs were hoping to be pushed up the rank ahead of them.