Principal Clerk of Session and Justiciary explained

Post:	Principal Clerk of Session and Justiciary
Member Of:	Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
Insignia:	Royal_Coat_of_Arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_(Government_in_Scotland).svg
Insigniasize:	110px
Incumbent:	Pam McFarlane
Incumbentsince:	August 2020
Appointer:	Lord President of the Court of Session
Deputy:	Deputy Principal Clerk of Session Deputy Principal Clerk of Justiciary
Website:	Director and Principal Clerk of Session and Justiciary

The Principal Clerk of Session and Justiciary is the clerk of court responsible for the administration of the Supreme Courts of Scotland and their associated staff.^[1] The Keeper of the Signet grants a commission to the Principal Clerk of Session to allow His Majesty's Signet to be used.

Gillian Prentice was the first woman to hold the post. The Principal Clerk is Yvonne Taylor.^[2]

The modern office unites the originally separate offices of Principal Clerk of Session (of the Court of Session) and Principal Clerk of Justiciary (of the High Court of Justiciary).

The Crown Agent takes directions from the Principal Clerk of Justiciary when arranging sittings of the High Court of Justiciary.

List of office holders

• Sir James Dalrymple, son of the eminent legal scholar and statesman Lord Stair
• Sir John Dalrymple of Kelloch
• Sir Walter Scott, novelist (appointed 1806)^[3]
• David Hume, advocate and legal scholar (appointed 1811)
• James Fergusson, judge and legal scholar (appointed 1826)
• Thomas Thomson, advocate (1826–1852)
• Cosmo Innes (appointed 1852)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Scottish Court Service An Introduction. The Supreme Courts are made up of: the Court of Session, the High Court of Justiciary and the Accountant of Court's Office. The Principal Clerk of Session and Justiciary is responsible for the administration of these areas. Scottish Court Service. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721231546/http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/docs/you_and_us/recruitment/SCS%20An%20Introduction.pdf. 21 July 2011. 26 May 2012.
2. Web site: Director and Principal Clerk of Session and Justiciary. www.scotcourts.gov.uk. Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. 4 April 2017.
3. Web site: Timeline. The Scott Monument. Edinburgh Museums & Galleries. 27 May 2012. Edinburgh.