Public appointment: Chair appointed to Scottish Law Commission

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Neil Gray MSP, today announced the appointment of Lord Sandison as Chair of the Scottish Law Commission.

Chair

Lord Sandison was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1996 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2009.  He practised principally in the field of commercial law for 25 years until his appointment as a Senator of the College of Justice in 2021.  He has presided over a wide variety of cases in his judicial capacity, for the last three years as a judge of the commercial court. He brings to the Commission a strong legal academic background, holding amongst other qualifications a doctorate in jurisprudence from the University of Cambridge.  His extensive experience in the practice of law at the highest level and his appreciation of the needs of a modern legal system will be deployed for the benefit of the Commission in its important ongoing role in the improvement, simplification and updating of the law of Scotland.

Appointment

This appointment will be for 5 years and will run from 5 May 2026 to 4 May 2031.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is made on a part-time basis, with 50% of Lord Sandison’s time being spent on the Commission business, and the remainder of his time devoted to judicial duties. Lord Sandison retains his judicial salary, and no further remuneration is paid.

Other ministerial appointments

Lord Sandison does not hold any other ministerial public appointments.

Political activity 

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

Lord Sandison has had no political activity within the last five years. 

Background

The Scottish Law Commission was established under the Law Commissions Act 1965 for the purposes of promoting the reform of the law of Scotland, and reviewing the law with a view to its systematic development and modernisation.

Further details on the Scottish Law Commission can be found on their website.