Derek O’Carroll, the first principal solicitor of Govan Law Centre, has been appointed as an all-Scotland floating sheriff – based in Edinburgh.  He will have a commission enabling him to serve where required throughout Scotland’s sheriff courts, and he is expected to take up the appointment in July 2010.

Derek has been a part-time Sheriff for some time now, and the case of Mair v. Arshad from Cupar Sheriff Court in October 2007 seems to be the only decision of his reported on the Scottish Court Service website to date.  The decision concerns the interpretation of The Scheme for Construction Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 1998 [SI 1998/687] and is a fine showcase for his undoubted forensic skills.

And so, in the immortal words of W.S. Gilbert:

All hail great Judge!
To your bright rays,
We never grudge
Ecstatic praise.
…

May each decree
As statute rank,
And never be
Reversed in Banc.

Quite so.  Congratulations, and good luck!