Public appointment: Members appointed to Scottish Legal Aid Board

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The Minister for Victims and Community Safety today announced the appointments of Gavin Stevenson and Judith Robertson as Members of the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Member

Gavin Stevenson brings over 30 years’ experience holding senior positions in the Civil Service, external audit and latterly as Chief Executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council. A qualified accountant and former Director of Audit Scotland, Gavin Stevenson has particular skills in both financial audit and the design and operation of public policy.

Judith Robertson served as Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission from 2016 – 2022. Prior to this she was Programme Director of See Me, Scotland’s national mental health anti-stigma programme and led Oxfam’s work in Scotland for 9 years prior to this role. She brings a long term involvement in social justice issues in Scotland to this role in the Scottish Legal Aid Board, knowledge and experience of the practical application of human rights in a Scottish context and a strong appreciation of the need to make access to justice accessible and available to people whose rights are most at risk.

Appointment

These appointments will be for three years and will run from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026.

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These appointments are part-time and attracts a remuneration of £240.84 for a time commitment of 42 days per year.

Other ministerial appointments

Gavin Stevenson and Judith Robertson do not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

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.   

Gavin Stevenson and Judith Robertson have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) was set up in 1987 to manage legal aid in Scotland and is a non-departmental public body responsible to the Scottish Government.  Legal aid allows people who would otherwise not be able to afford it, to get help for their legal problems.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board’s work is overseen by Board Members, who are appointed by Scottish Ministers.  The number of Members can vary from 11 to 15.  To give a balanced range of knowledge and experience, they include people with backgrounds in business, the advice sector and the wider community as well as solicitors and advocates and persons with knowledge of court procedure and practice.