HC Deb 16 July 1912 vol 41 cc246-8W
Mr. WATT

asked the Lord Advocate whether it is now optional for a litigant in the Court of Session, who has an agent acting for him, to employ counsel; whether it is so understood by the judges there; and, if not, will he introduce legislation to bring this about?

Mr. URE

It is well understood that a litigant in the Court of Session, whether or not he has an agent acting for him, may appear in person instead of employing counsel.

Mr. WATT

asked the Lord Advocate if he will state how many of the present sheriffs-substitute in Scotland were members of the law-agents' branch of the legal profession, and how many were members of the Faculty of Advocates?

Mr. URE

The numbers respectively are five and forty-four.

Mr. WATT

also asked whether the sheriff substitute of Inverness-shire at Fort William has recently retired; if so, will he say to what branch of the legal profession he belonged; has a successor been appointed in his place; who is that successor; does he belong to the same branch of the legal profession; and, if not, why has the tradition connected with this post been departed from?

Mr. URE

Mr. Donald Davidson, who belongs to the law agents' branch of the profession, recently retired from the position of sheriff-substitute at Fort William, and was succeeded by Mr. R. C. Malcolm, Advocate. The qualifications for the office are defined by the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act, 1907, and do not depend on tradition.