Lord President of the Court of Session

The Lord President of the Court of Session (Scottish Gaelic: Àrd-mhorair Cùirt an t-Seisein) is the most senior judge in Scotland, the head of the judiciary, and the presiding judge of the College of Justice, the Court of Session, and the High Court of Justiciary. Since 1836, the office has been combined with the title of Lord Justice General, making the Lord President the head of the High Court of Justiciary as well.

The current Lord President is Lord Carloway, who has held the position since 18 December 2015. In June 2024, Lord Carloway announced his intention to retire from judicial office in early 2025.

History

The position of Lord President was established in 1532 with the formation of the Court of Session by King James V. The first officeholder was Alexander Mylne, Abbot of Cambuskenneth. The role originally presided over Scotland’s highest civil court but was later combined with the title of Lord Justice General, making the officeholder the head of the judiciary in both civil and criminal law.

Inner House of the Court of Session

• Outer House of the Court of Session
• Sheriff Appeal Court
• Scottish Land Court
• Court of the Lord Lyon
• Lands Tribunal for Scotland

Appointment

The Lord President is appointed by the monarch, acting on the advice of the First Minister. The position is held for life, with mandatory retirement at the age of 75.

Salary

The Lord President is paid according to Salary Group 1.1 of the UK Judicial Salaries Scale, which in 2016 amounted to £222,862.

Notable officeholders

• Alexander Mylne, Abbot of Cambuskenneth – First Lord President (1532)
• Sir James Dalrymple, 1st Viscount of Stair – Prominent 17th-century jurist
• Lord Carloway – Incumbent, serving since 2015

See also

• Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008
• Court of Session
• High Court of Justiciary
• List of Scottish judges

Other websites

• Judicial Office for Scotland website