Public appointment: Lay Chairing Member appointed to Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, Keith Brown MSP, today announced the appointment of Lindsay Montgomery as the new Lay Chairing Member of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland.

Lay Chairing Member

Lindsay Montgomery CBE, FRSE, has substantial experience in the management, leadership and governance of public bodies. Past roles include Director of Resources at Scottish Natural Heritage, Chief Executive of the Scottish Legal Aid Board, Deputy Chair and later Chair of the Scottish Charity Regulator, Chair of Community Justice Scotland and Chair of the NDPB Chief Executive's Forum. He was also Chair of the Scottish environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Lindsay has considerable experience and knowledge of the justice system in Scotland. In addition to his experience as Chief Executive of the Scottish Legal Aid Board, he is a visiting professor in the School of Law at the University of Strathclyde with focus on legal aid and access to justice. He was a member of the Scottish Civil Justice Council, Scottish Government Justice Board and the National Criminal Justice Board. He has been a member of several policy and reference groups for various reviews of aspects of the justice system in Scotland, including Lord Gill's review of Civil Courts, and Lord Carloway's review of criminal law and practice. He has also carried out reviews of access to justice and legal aid in other jurisdictions for the Council of Europe.

Several of his roles have included responsibility for and involvement in recruitment for senior appointments.

Other current roles include Vice Chair of the International Legal Aid Group, independent Chair of the Central Government Digital Transformation Board, consultancy services and mentoring.

His professional background was in finance, accountancy and audit, and he worked in several government departments including HM Treasury. In 2009 he was awarded a CBE for his services to the administration of justice and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Strathclyde.

Appointment

This appointment will be for four years and will run from 1 January 2022 until
31 December 2025.

 This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration and time commitment

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £350 per day for a time commitment of 50 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Lindsay Montgomery does not hold any other 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.   

Lindsay Montgomery has had no political activity within the last five years.

Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland

The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland is an independent advisory public body with the role of recommending individuals for appointment to judicial offices within the Board’s remit including judge of the Court of Session, sheriff principal, sheriff and summary sheriff.