Stage One Consultations

Prior to interview, we may consult:

• the Lord President
• all Sheriffs Principal
• the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates
• the President of the Law Society of Scotland
• the Chief Executive of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission
• the Crown Agent
• The Scottish Legal Aid Board

We will ask if they are aware of any reason relating to your character or your legal competence, or any other matter about you which might cause us, or if you were recommended for appointment, the First Minister, to doubt that you are suitable or fit for appointment to the office for which you have applied. 

If any such reason is drawn to our attention, that reason and a summary of the factual background may be disclosed to you and you will be given an opportunity to discuss this with members of the selection panel. A report will be made to the selection panel and this will form part of the material before them when considering your application and whether you should proceed to interview.

This will be one of many pieces of information that will inform the interview and our subsequent consideration of your suitability for appointment.

For Senator roles, the Lord President will be supplied with the list of the most significant cases or matters, transactions and situations where you have been involved. 

If you are not sufficiently well known to the Lord President he may, on the basis of confidentiality, consult another judge whom he considers is best placed to assist him in responding.  The name of any judge contributing on this basis will be made available to the Board and will be disclosed to you before the interview.