Dundee’s most senior lawman, Sheriff Richard Davidson, is leaving Dundee after almost 20 years as a sheriff in the city.
Sheriff Davidson is heading north to take up a post in Fort William early next year and, The Courier understands, is also expected to sit on the bench in Portree, Skye, on a part-time basis.
A spokeswoman for the Judicial Office for Scotland confirmed: “It is intended that Sheriff Davidson will transfer to Fort William in February 2014.
“It is too soon to confirm who may be appointed to replace him and an announcement will be made in due course.”
Sheriff Davidson has been a resident sheriff at Dundee since April 1994 and settled in Blairgowrie.
During that time he has been recognised as an “excellent sheriff who delivers justice fairly and with the best interests of all court users,” local lawyers say.
George Donnelly, vice-president of the Dundee Bar Association, said everyone at Dundee Sheriff Court would be sorry to see him leave.
“He’ll be greatly missed, he’s been a great servant to Dundee Sheriff Court and all the court users,” Mr Donnelly said.
“Sheriff Davidson has dedicated his life to running the court and all the lawyers have a great deal of affection for him.
“While we might not agree with all his decisions, he makes those decisions in what he considers to be the best interests of those involved.
“In his sentencing, he tries to administer justice with a human touch and we all have clients who are keen to appear before him because they know he’ll give them a fair hearing and deliver a judgment with honesty and integrity.
“He is a great character of course and the Bar is discussing ways of marking his departure.”
Never frightened of courting controversy, Sheriff Davidson caused national headlines earlier this year by describing anti-sectarian legislation, which was rushed through the Scottish Parliament at Alex Salmond’s personal behest, as “mince”.
Sheriff Davidson also said the legislation was “horribly drafted” as he acquitted Dion McLeish, 20, who was accused of being in breach of the legislation by singing “pro-IRA” songs at Dens Park.
He said that under the terms of the new laws there might even be a problem with those who attend Murrayfield and sing Flower of Scotland.
He said: “If they can proscribe a list of songs which people are banned from singing, they will find the courts are full and the football grounds are empty.”
He also previously made headlines by saying people accused of serious crimes in Dundee are having to be released from prison before trial “because the country is skint,” after several jury trials could not go ahead due to the time-bar running out.