Lord Beckett | |
---|---|
Lord Justice Clerk | |
Assumed office 4 February 2025 | |
Nominated by | John Swinney As First Minister |
Monarch | Charles III |
Preceded by | Lady Dorrian |
Senator of the College of Justice | |
Assumed office 17 May 2016[1] | |
Nominated by | Nicola Sturgeon As First Minister |
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Solicitor General for Scotland | |
In office 2006–2007 | |
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
First Minister | Jack McConnell |
Preceded by | Elish Angiolini |
Succeeded by | Frank Mulholland |
Personal details | |
Born | John Beckett Crawley, West Sussex |
Political party | Labour |
Alma mater | University of Edinburgh (LL.B., Dip.L.P.) |
Profession | Advocate |
John Beckett, Lord Beckett is a Scottish lawyer who was appointed as Lord Justice Clerk on 4 February 2025 having served as a Senator of the College of Justice, a judge of the Court of Session, since 2016.
Beckett was Solicitor General for Scotland, the country's junior Law Officer from October 2006 to May 2007. He was appointed by Labour First Minister Jack McConnell on the appointment of former Solicitor General Elish Angiolini to the senior role of Lord Advocate. After the 2007 Scottish election, newly elected Scottish National Party First Minister Alex Salmond replaced Labour Party member Beckett with Frank Mulholland, who later became Lord Advocate. Beckett then became floating sheriff sitting mainly at Glasgow Sheriff Court.