25 June 2008
Lord Advocate Appoints Senior Prosecutor for Grampian Area
The Lord Advocate, the Right Hon Elish Angiolini QC, today announced the appointment of Anne Currie as Area Procurator Fiscal for Grampian. Ms Currie is an experienced prosecutor with a particular interest in ensuring that services are designed to meet the diverse needs of local communities.
Most recently, Ms Currie was a Divisional Procurator Fiscal in Glasgow, where she was the lead prosecutor giving advice and direction to the Archway Sexual Assault Referral Centre, supporting men and women who had been the victim of a sexual attack. Ms Currie also took lead responsibility for all aspects of the delivery of the prosecution service's Diversity Portfolio across Glasgow.
Mrs Angiolini said:
"Anne Currie is a highly experienced and dedicated prosecutor. Anne is well respected across the criminal justice system for the passion she brings to her role, and for putting the quality of service we deliver to all of our local communities at the heart of prosecution policies. With more than 20 years experience with the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service, Anne brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the important task of leading the prosecution service in Grampian. In particular, Anne brings her experience of engaging with diverse communities across Glasgow, and ensuring that victims and witnesses from all backgrounds have access to a fair and effective justice system.
"This, combined with her personal energy, enthusiasm and commitment, will enable her to play a leading role in a criminal justice system which continues to deliver a first class service to communities throughout the Grampian area."
Ms Currie said:
"I am delighted to be appointed to this post and to have the opportunity to play a key role in ensuring that the criminal justice system across Grampian continues to earn the confidence of local communities.
"We have a talented team of prosecutors here in Grampian, and I am keen to make sure that I use their passion and enthusiasm to not only deliver an efficient, respected prosecution service, but also to raise the profile of prosecutors across the Area. The best way to serve a local community is to listen to that community; to know and understand their particular issues; to be open to new ideas, and willing to change the way we work to best suit the needs of that community. I will be encouraging all of my Fiscals to play an active role within their local communities, and I will be spending the next few weeks visiting and meeting as many local communities and stakeholders as I possibly can. I have already had the benefit of early meetings with local Sheriffs and with local police, which have been invaluable to me in understanding the criminal justice system here in Grampian."
Notes to Editors:
1. Anne Currie is aged 50. Ms Currie graduated from Glasgow University with an LLB in 1979 and then completed her two year legal apprenticeship with the Crown Office.
2. Following a career break to have her two daughters, she returned to work in 1987 as a Procurator Fiscal Depute in Glasgow. She was appointed as a Principal Procurator Fiscal Depute in Glasgow in 1997, where she worked for six years, including two years working in the Child Witness Unit, where she specialised in the prosecution of cases involving child abuse.
3. She was appointed District Procurator Fiscal, Kilmarnock in May 2003 and promoted to Divisional Procurator Fiscal for Glasgow South in July 2004. Most recently she has been the Divisional Procurator Fiscal for Glasgow Central and West with specific responsibility for Glasgow City Centre.
4. Ms Currie took up post last week, replacing Morag McLaughlin, who recently took up the post of Area Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders. The Grampian Area deals with 25,000 cases a year and covers the Sheriff Court jurisdictions of Aberdeen, Banff, Elgin, Peterhead and Stonehaven.
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