News /26 January 2016
Reappointment of Commissioner to the Board of the Scottish Criminal Case Review Commission
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice today announced the reappointment of Peter Ferguson QC as a Member of the Board of the Scottish Criminal Case Review Commission (SCCRC).
The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission is a public body which was established in 1999 to investigate cases where it is alleged that a miscarriage of justice may have occurred. If, after proper investigation, it considers that a miscarriage of justice may have occurred, either in respect of conviction or sentence, and that it is in the interests of justice that a reference should be made, it may refer a case to the High Court for consideration of whether the conviction or sentence should be quashed. The Commission is funded by the Scottish Government’s Justice Directorate (JD) and is accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the use of those public funds.
Peter Ferguson QC was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1987 and became a QC in 2005. He has extensive experience of prosecuting and defending high profile complex criminal cases covering a broad range of offences. He is experienced in both the Inner and outer House of the court of session. Mr Ferguson prosecutes as an Advocate Depute in the High Court and Appeal Court. He has contributed to academic journals on issues in the criminal law, evidence and practice. His knowledge and experience of the Scottish criminal justice system support the Commission in its decision making
Reappointment
The appointment will be for four years and will run from 1 November 2015 to 31 October 2019. The reappointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £252 per day for a time commitment of 3/4 days per month.
Other Ministerial Appointments
Peter Ferguson does not hold any other Public Appointment.
Political Activity
The reappointment is 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. Peter Ferguson has had no political activity in the last fiveyears.