26 January 2005
NEW AREA PROCURATOR FISCAL APPOINTED IN LOTHIAN AND BORDERS
Mr Bill Gilchrist has been appointed by the Lord Advocate Colin Boyd QC to the post of Area Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders. Mr Gilchrist, previously the Deputy Crown Agent, took up his new post on the 24 January 2005.
Mr Gilchrist is taking over from Mr Douglas Brown who has been appointed to the bench.
The Lord Advocate said:
"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Gilchrist as Area Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders. Bill is a highly acclaimed prosecutor, respected by colleagues across the criminal justice system and will bring a wealth of experience to this role. I look forward to him making a significant contribution to the continued modernisation of the prosecution service in Scotland."
Delighted to be appointed Area Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders, Bill Gilchrist said:
"I am looking forward to my new post in Lothian and Borders and to continue the work carried out by my predecessor. It is an exciting time for the service as we are increasingly engaging with criminal justice partners to ensure that we provide a seamless, efficient service to local communities. We are also getting the most from our resources through intelligent use of technology. I have enjoyed a varied and challenging career with COPFS so far and I am sure the role of Area Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders will be no exception."
Note to Editors
Biography
Bill Gilchrist joined the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in 1976 as a depute in Airdrome. There then followed spells in Crown Office and Glasgow before he became Head of Policy in 1992. He was appointed Head of the Fraud and Specialist Services Unit in 1997, and became Procurator Fiscal for Paisley and Regional Procurator Fiscal for North Strathclyde in 1999. Thereafter he became Deputy Crown Agent in 2001. In that capacity he was Head of Operations at the Crown Office with responsibility for units which handle High Court work, appeals, international co-operation, major fraud and both criminal and civil confiscation. He is a member of the Sentencing Commission and of the Governing Council of the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners.
News Release: BQ006