Terra Firma Chambers are proud to announce that Walter Mercer has been appointed as a Part-Time Sheriff.  Walter is one of 15 new part-time appointments announced today by Scottish Ministers following recommendation by the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland.

Part-time sheriffs assist in maintaining the programme of business in the courts when full-time sheriffs are unavailable owing to sick leave or attendance at training. Part-time sheriffs may also assist when the court programme experiences increases in business which cannot be accommodated without additional judicial assistance. The qualifications required for part-time sheriffs are the same as those for full-time sheriffs.

Walter called to the Bar in 2000 and has acted as an ad hoc Advocate Depute since 2003. He has represented the Crown in a number of high profile-cases, including the prosecution of Peter Tobin for the murder of Angelika Kluk. In 2007 he was appointed a Legal Member of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland where he handles some of the most complex and sensitive cases, including authorising compulsory care and treatment for children with mental disorders.