July 17, 2014
Legal Members appointed to Parole Board for Scotland
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice today announced the appointment of five Legal Members to the Parole Board for Scotland Board.
The Parole Board for Scotland is an independent non-departmental public body that works within the criminal justice system. Operating within a statutory framework, its job is to protect the public by risk assessing prisoners to decide whether they can be safely released into the community on licence. The Board aims to make risk assessments which are rigorous, fair and timely and which can contribute to the rehabilitation of prisoners and ultimately reduce reoffending.
Mr Ian Bryce was admitted as a solicitor in 1993, and granted extended rights of audience in the High Court of Justiciary in 2005. He appears extensively in the High Court, and was accredited as a “Senior” Solicitor-Advocate by the Law Society of Scotland in 2012. He has conducted a number of complicated cases in the High Court, and brings extensive experience of the Criminal Justice system, together with an analytical approach to cases. He served on the Council of the Law Society of Scotland between 2006 and 2012, and was latterly elected to the Management Board of the Law Society of Scotland. He has also served on the Scottish Legal Aid Board’s Criminal Quality Assurance Committee, and has demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of criminal legal representation, and an understanding of the importance to the public of an efficient and effective legal system.
Mr John Hamilton QC is highly experienced in all aspects of criminal work including sentencing. He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1998 and took silk in 2011. His practice is varied but is primarily criminal court advocacy for both defence and the Crown. He was an Advocate Depute (High Court prosecutor) between 2003 and 2006. From 2009 to 2012 John Hamilton was the Director of Training and Education at the Faculty of Advocates responsible for the advocacy training of new advocates and the CPD for the whole Faculty. He has taught advocacy skills throughout Scotland and internationally. Mr Hamilton has significant experience of chairing tribunals and boards. He sits as the Legal Convenor for the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland and as a fee-paid judge in the Social Entitlement Chamber. He also sits on the Scottish Criminal Court Rules Council.
Mr Anthony Kelly is a solicitor-advocate (civil and criminal) with Taylor & Kelly, Court Solicitors, in Coatbridge. He is Fee-paid Judge of the First-tier Tribunal, Social Entitlement Chamber and is a visiting professor at the University of Strathclyde. He has lectured widely on the subject of human rights in Scotland and internationally. He was until recently the Chair of JUSTICE, Scotland. In the most recent Chambers directory Mr Kelly was awarded a star ranking. A 'Star' ranking is given to lawyers with exceptional recommendations in their field.
Mr James MacDonald has been substantially involved in court practice for 22 years, the latter nine of which as a member of the Faculty of Advocates, with a significant proportion in the criminal field, both as a High Court prosecutor and as defence counsel. Accordingly, James brings to the board substantial knowledge of the sentencing process in Scotland. James also brings to the board considerable experience in dealing with Human Rights issues, and the ability to act decisively and objectively on difficult and sensitive issues.
Mrs Kathleen McQuillan qualified as a solicitor in 1981 specialising in Criminal Law. After leaving private practice she joined the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board as Senior Board/Authority Advocate. She was appointed to Parole Board for Scotland Legal Member/Vice Chairman from 2004 to 2011 and is currently a Legal Convenor of Mental Health Tribunal Scotland. Her background has provided her with extensive experience and skills in the ability to analyse and review complex issues and reach reasoned judgements; the ability to produce logical, structured and concise written reports; and understanding of prisoner release arrangements, risk assessment and post-release offender management in Scotland and the ability to work in a rapidly changing environment. In 2012 Kathleen was honoured by HM Queen with an OBE for services to justice.
The appointments will be for seven years. The appointmentsfor Ian Bryce, John Hamilton, Anthony Kelly and James MacDonald will run from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2021. The appointment for Kathleen McQuillan will run from August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2021.
These appointments are part time and attract a remuneration of £309 per day for a time commitment of eight to twelve days per month.
Ian Bryce and Anthony Kelly do not hold any other ministerial appointments.
John Hamilton is a Legal Convenor with Mental Health Board for Scotland for which he receives £450 per day for a time commitment of four days per month. John Hamilton is also a Tribunal Judge with the Social Entitlement Chamber for which he receives £485 per day for a time commitment of four days per month.
James MacDonald is an ad hoc Advocate Depute with the Crown Office for which he receives £350 per day for a varying time commitment.
Kathleen McQuillan is a Legal Convenor with Mental Health Tribunal Scotland for which she receives £430 per day for a time commitment of two to four days per month.
Theseappointmentsare regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
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. Ian Bryce has a “Stakeholder” membership of Business for Scotland. The other appointees have not had any political activity in the last five years.