Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill today announced the appointment of a new Commissioner to the Scottish Law Commission. Dr Andrew Steven will take up a full time appointment with effect from August 29, 2011, replacing Professor George Gretton, whose appointment has ended.
Welcoming the appointment, Mr MacAskill said:”The Scottish Law Commission makes valued recommendations for reforms across Scots law, and its contributions to a modern legal framework are of benefit to the Scottish Government. The skills and experience which Dr Steven brings to the Commission will be a great asset, and I am delighted that he has agreed to accept appointment as Commissioner.”
Dr Steven is a senior lecturer in law and an associate director of the Edinburgh Centre for Private Law at the University of Edinburgh. His background knowledge is in property law, security rights and European private law, which will be of great benefit to the Commission.
This appointment will be for five years, and will run from August 29, 2011 to August 28, 2016. This post is full-time and attracts a remuneration of £105,668. Dr Steven does not hold any other public appointments.
The Scottish Law Commission, along with its counterpart for England and Wales, was set up by the Law Commissions Act 1965. It exists to keep the law of Scotland under review with a view to its modernisation, simplification and systematic reform. The Commission receives and considers proposals for changes to the law; examines particular branches of the law, and makes recommendations for reform.
This Ministerial public appointment was made in accordance with the code of practice published by the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. Dr Steven has not undertaken any political activities over the last five years.
