Four new senators sworn in at Court of Session

For the first time people of Indian and Pakistani heritage have been appointed as senators, while it also marks the first time a solicitor advocate from a major firm of solicitors has been appointed directly to the Supreme Courts.

In four separate ceremonies, Lady Anwar, Lord Ewing, Lord Ghosh and Lady O’Neill, were all installed as senators of the College of Justice. The Lord President, Lord Pentland, administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath before inviting them to take a seat on the bench.

Lord Pentland said: “I warmly congratulate the new senators and very much look forward to working with them. Their diverse knowledge and experience will be a hugely beneficial addition to the bench and they will provide the high quality impartial justice the people of Scotland expect from their judiciary.

“The senior judiciary must reflect the society we serve. Those thinking of becoming judges should take confidence that, no matter one’s background or path in the law, becoming a member of the senior judiciary is open to you and based solely on merit.

“Like the appointment of Lady Cosgrove thirty years ago, these appointments mark a welcome and historic step in further broadening the diversity of the senior judiciary.

“Most people never find themselves in a court room, but they can be confident that if they do, they will be met by judges who are impartial, independent and committed to the rule of law.”

Dorothy Bain PC KC was also appointed to the office of senator of the College of Justice. She will take up appointment on 7 January 2027.