Public appointment: Chair and Member reappointed to the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Angela Constance MSP, today announced the reappointment of Lindsay Montgomery as Chair, and Emma Marriott, as a Member of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland. 

Chair 

Lindsay Montgomery was first appointed as Lay Chairing Member of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland in January 2022. Since then JABS has been reviewing and developing its approach to judicial appointments as well as undertaking a substantial programme of judicial recruitment. He brings substantial experience of senior and leadership recruitment to the role from his experience in the public, 3rd and private sectors. 

Lindsay has an extensive background in Scotland’s justice system, including previously as the Chief Executive of the Scottish Legal Aid Board, Member of the Scottish Civil Justice Council, Scottish Government Justice Board, National Criminal Justice Board, as well as being a Member of the policy or reference groups for various major reviews of aspects of the justice system in Scotland.  He has considerable experience of the management, leadership and governance of public, 3rd sector and private sector organisations including previously deputy chair and then chair of the Scottish Charity Regulator, Chair of Community Justice Scotland and Chair of keep Scotland Beautiful. He is the Independent Chair of the Scottish Government Digital Portfolio Board and a member of the Digital Leadership Board. 

Lindsay is a Visiting Professor in the School of Law at the University of Strathclyde with a focus on legal aid and access to justice and is Vice-Chair of the International Legal Aid Group.  He was awarded CBE in 2009 for services to the administration of justice and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 

Member 

After a long and successful career as shareholder and director of a successful recruitment company, Emma Marriott was eager to apply her commercial and recruitment skills to the justice system. She has focused on elevating the roles available, enhancing the skills and qualities sought for a successful career in the judiciary and ensuring that the board attracts the widest range of eligible applicants possible.  

Reappointment 

Lindsay Montgomery’s reappointment is for three years and runs from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2029.  Emma Marriott’s reappointment is for four years and will run from 1 December 2025 until 30 November 2029. 

These reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

Remuneration 

The Chair appointment attracts remuneration of £379.92 per day for a time commitment of 140 days per year.  The Member appointment attracts remuneration of £320.85 per day for a time commitment of 40 days per year. 

Other ministerial appointments 

Lindsay Montgomery and Emma Marriott do not hold any other public appointments. 

Political activity  

Lindsay Montgomery and Emma Marriott have had no political activity within the last five years.  

Background 

The Board became an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) on the 1st June 2009 under the provisions of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008. 

The functions of the Board under the Act are: 

a) to recommend to members of the Scottish Executive individuals for appointment to judicial offices within the Board’s remit; 

b) to provide advice to members of the Scottish Executive in connection with such appointments; and 

c) in carrying out its functions, the Board must have regard to the need to encourage diversity in the range of individuals available for selection to be recommended for appointment to a judicial office. This is subject to the provisions a) and b) above. 

The selection of an individual to be recommended for appointment must be solely on merit and the Board must also be satisfied that the individual is of good character.