Colin Sutherland, Lord Carloway
Colin Sutherland, Lord Carloway | |
|---|---|
| Lord President of the Court of Session Lord Justice General | |
| In office 18 December 2015 – 3 February 2025 | |
| Nominated by | Nicola Sturgeon As First Minister |
| Appointed by | Elizabeth II |
| Deputy | Lady Dorrian |
| Preceded by | Lord Gill |
| Succeeded by | Lord Pentland |
| Lord Justice Clerk | |
| In office 15 August 2012 – 18 December 2015 | |
| Nominated by | Alex Salmond As First Minister |
| Appointed by | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Lord Gill |
| Succeeded by | Lady Dorrian |
| Senator of the College of Justice | |
| In office February 2000 – 3 February 2025 | |
| Nominated by | Donald Dewar As First Minister |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 May 1954 Falkirk, Scotland |
| Spouse | Jane Turnbull |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
| Profession | Advocate |
Colin John MacLean Sutherland, Lord Carloway PC FRSE (born 20 May 1954) is a Scottish advocate and judge who served as the Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General from 2015 until his retirement in February 2025. He was previously Lord Justice Clerk from 2012 to 2015 and was a Senator of the College of Justice from February 2000 until his retirement. On 4 June 2024, Lord Carloway announced his intention to retire from judicial office in early 2025.
Born in Falkirk, Lord Carloway studied at the University of Edinburgh's Law School, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws. In 1977, he was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates and served as an Advocate Depute in the late 1980s. Before being nominated as a Judge in 2000, he served as the Treasurer of the Faculty of Advocates. As a Senator of the College of Justice he presided over the 2004 prosecution of gas transporter Transco and published the Carloway Review. In 2012, Lord Gill, who had served as the Lord Justice Clerk, was appointed the Lord President and Lord Carloway succeeded him.
Following the retirement of Lord Gill, Lord Carloway was nominated by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to succeed him. He was officially appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 18 December 2015, becoming the most senior judge in Scotland.