CROWN OFFICE AND PROCURATOR FISCAL SERVICE
1 September 2008
LORD ADVOCATE APPOINTS NEW PROCURATOR FISCAL FOR CENTRAL
The Lord Advocate, the Right Honourable Elish Angiolini QC, today announced the appointment of Michelle Macleod as Area Procurator Fiscal for Central.
A skilled prosecutor with over 15 years experience, Mrs Macleod brings particular expertise in the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences, having headed up the dedicated sexual offences team in Lothian and Borders since it was established in October 2007.
Mrs Angiolini said:
"Mrs Macleod is highly respected across the criminal justice system for the dedication and commitment she brings to her role. In particular, she has a passion for understanding the core issues of the local communities we serve, with a view to tailoring and delivering a prosecution service which meets their specific needs.
"For the past eight months, Mrs Macleod has held a dual role, acting as interim District Procurator Fiscal for Edinburgh while continuing her work as Procurator Fiscal for Linlithgow. Furthermore, during this time she has played a vital role in developing innovative practises to support the investigation and prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences, as head of the Lothian and Borders Sexual Offence Team. Working closely with Amethyst, she has helped to enhance the professional and focussed approach taken by prosecutors, the police, the NHS and other agencies involved in dealing with these most serious offences."
Mrs Macleod, Area Procurator Fiscal for Central, said:
"I am delighted to be appointed to this post and welcome this opportunity to lead further to change and improvement across the Central Area. There is a strong team here, which is already performing very well. I want to build on the achievements of my predecessor, focussing on quality improvement and innovation, to ensure that we continue to improve our service to victims and witnesses.
"I believe the best way to serve a local community is to listen to it's people; 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 people and stakeholders as I possibly can."
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Michelle Macleod was born in 1964 in Aberdeen. She obtained an Honours degree in Economics and Politics at Edinburgh University in 1986 and undertook an accelerated Law Degree between 1989 and 1992 when she graduated with distinction. She became a Crown Office Trainee in 1992 and worked as a Procurator Fiscal Depute in Linlithgow for a number of years before transferring to Crown Office where she worked in the Appeals Unit, Policy Department and as Legal Assistant to the Crown Agent and the Chief Executive. In September 2003 she took up the post of Assistant Procurator Fiscal in Edinburgh. Mrs Macleod was appointed Procurator Fiscal for Linlithgow in May 2007. In January 2008 she returned to Edinburgh to take up post as Interim District Fiscal where she has worked until this most recent appointment as Area Procurator Fiscal for Central.
- In addition, since October 2007, Mrs Macleod has headed up the dedicated sexual offences team in Lothian and Borders, giving advice and direction to the police on the investigation and prosecution of such offences. Amethyst was opened in September 2006 and consists of more than 70 staff including: police officers, support staff, senior health officials and social workers. It deals with all aspects of child and vulnerable adult protection, sexual crimes, domestic abuse and sex offenders.
- Mrs Macleod took up post Area Procurator Fiscal for Central on 1 September replacing Gerri Watt, who recently took up the post of Area Procurator Fiscal for Ayrshire.
- The Central Area deals with 19,000 cases a year and covers the Sheriff Court jurisdictions of Stirling, Alloa and Falkirk.
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