New Chief Inspector of Prosecution
New appointment welcomed by Lord Advocate.
Deborah O’Brien Demick has been appointed the new HM Chief Inspector of Prosecution in Scotland.
She succeeds Laura Paton who has been in the position since 2019.
Mrs Demick has significant experience working in the Crown Office having held roles since 1999, currently as Deputy Head of National Homicide Team and Road Traffic Fatalities Investigation Unit.
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC said:
“I welcome Deborah’s appointment. She will bring to the role an in-depth prosecutorial knowledge and shares our commitment to improving peoples’ experiences of Scotland’s criminal justice system.
“I am grateful for Laura Paton’s work as HM Chief Inspector of Prosecution over the past six years and have greatly valued her insight and assessment of the work of COPFS.”
Mrs Demick said:
“I am proud and delighted to be appointed as the new HM Chief Inspector of Prosecution in Scotland. The work of the Inspectorate is vital in letting the public know how the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal (COPFS) investigates and prosecutes crime and investigates all sudden and suspicious deaths. Independent scrutiny is vital in supporting COPFS to develop effective and compassionate services for all.
“I have a clear vision of how we can make a positive difference, continue to drive improvements and build a modern prosecution service with the right tools and training to deliver effective and compassionate justice and death investigations across Scotland.”
Background
Deborah O’Brien Demick was selected through an open recruitment process conducted in line with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. The appointment will take effect on 14 July 2025.
Deborah joined COPFS as a trainee in 1999 and has worked in courts across Scotland. She is highly experienced in the preparation and prosecution of cases and conduct of Fatal Accident Inquiries. She delivered the first successful application under the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2011, which paved the way and culminated in the re-trial and conviction of Angus Sinclair for the 1977 murders of Christine Eadie and Helen Scott.
Since 2020, Deborah has been Deputy Head of National Homicide Team and Road Traffic Fatalities Investigation Unit at the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). She has been responsible for senior leadership of investigations, and the development of strategies to deliver service improvements.
She delivered an in-depth review of Child Deaths and Non–Accidental Injuries in Children, published in 2024, which established a framework for COPFS and partners to support bereaved families and address the reduction of preventable deaths.
She has also contributed to the Scottish Government Domestic Homicide Review Taskforce working with partners to develop work to review such deaths.
Deborah holds an Honours Degree in Scots Law from the University of Dundee and postgraduate diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Strathclyde.