Lord President of the Court of Session

The Lord President of the Court of Session () 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.http://legislation.gov.uk/asp/2008/6

 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

 Related pages 
 Court of Session
 High Court of Justiciary

 References 

 Other websites 
 Judicial Office for Scotland website

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