Speaker: Rt Hon Dorothy Bain KC

The Rt Hon Dorothy Bain KC, the Lord Advocate, has extensive experience in both civil and criminal law. She qualified at the University of Aberdeen and began her career as an Advocate in 1994, taking silk in 2007. She has been instructed in cases at all levels, including the Court of Session (Inner and Outer House), Court of Criminal Appeal, High Court of Justiciary, United Kingdom Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.

From 2002 to 2011 she served as an Advocate Depute in Crown Office. This culminated in her appointment as the Principal Advocate Depute in 2009; the first woman to be appointed to this post.

As Principal Advocate Depute, the Rt Hon Dorothy Bain KC was Scotland’s most senior prosecutor, conducting many complex and high profile criminal prosecutions and appeals. In 2008, Dorothy reported on the prosecution of sexual crime in Scotland, which in turn resulted in the creation of the National Sex Crimes Unit.

Photo attribution:Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. 25 Chambers Street. Edinburgh. 

James Wood Lecture

The James Wood Lecture is the principal public lecture hosted annually by the University of Glasgow School of Law, having first been delivered by Lord Fraser of Tullybelton in 1987. Recent James Wood lecturers have included Eleanor Sharpston QC, Professor Dame Hazel Genn, Lord Sumption and Ian Forrester QC. It is generously supported by the James Wood Bequest Fund.

The lecture will be held in the Senate Room on the 3rd of October at 17:30. The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.