New sheriffs appointed in Tayside, Central and Fife

Gillian Anne Wade QC (pictured right) and Simon Geoffrey Collins QC have been appointed as floating sheriffs of Tayside, Central and Fife.

Her Majesty the Queen appointed Mrs Wade and Mr Collins on the recommendation of the first minister, who nominated them on the basis of a report by the independent Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS).

Mrs Wade is a graduate of Glasgow University. She was admitted as a solicitor in 1989. She qualified in English law and became a partner in firms in Glasgow and London.

She has been a member of the Faculty of Advocates since 1998 and holds the following appointments: legal convenor MHTS 2004; advocate depute 2008; head of the National Sexual Crimes Unit 2011; and Queen’s Counsel 2013.

Mr Collins (pictured right) is a graduate of the universities of Exeter and Edinburgh.

He qualified as a solicitor in 1993 and as an advocate in 1995. He was a part-time tribunal judge (social security appeals) from 2002 to 2006.

He was appointed: advocate depute from 2007 to 2009; standing junior counsel to the advocate general from 2009 to 2011; Queen’s Counsel in 2011; part-time sheriff in 2011; and salaried judge, First Tier Tribunal in 2012.

The salary of a sheriff is £130,875 per annum.

The JABS was established by ministers in 2002 and became an independent advisory non-departmental public body on June 1, 2009.

The board has statutory responsibilities under the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008.

Its role is to recommend for appointment to the office of judge, chairman of the Scottish Land Court, sheriff principal, sheriff and part-time sheriff.

The first minister retains the statutory responsibility for making nominations to the Queen and is required by statute to consult the Lord President of the Court of Session before making his nomination.