New sheriffs appointed

Robert Weir QC (pictured) has been appointed as sheriff of South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway and Joan Kerr has been appointed as sheriff of Glasgow and Strathkelvin.

Her Majesty the Queen appointed Mr Weir and Ms Kerr on the recommendation of the first minister, who nominated them on the basis of a report by the independent Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland.

Mr Weir graduated with BA (History, Hons) from Durham University and LLB from Dundee University.

He joined Maclay Murray & Spens as a trainee solicitor in 1992, was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1995, and practised principally in commercial dispute resolution, with a specialty in maritime law. He was an advocate depute between 2005 and 2008, and took silk in 2010.

Ms Kerr MA (Hons), LLB. Ms Kerr was admitted as a solicitor in 1991. She joined the firm of HBM Sayers from 1994 until 2008, first as solicitor then partner.

She was appointed as a stipendiary magistrate in 2008 and part time sheriff in 2011.

The salary of a sheriff is £132,184 per annum.