Members Appointed to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE SCOTTISH LEGAL COMPLAINTS COMMISSION

The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs today announced the appointment of Emma Hutton, Michelle Hyndand Amanda Pringleas Non-Executive Directors of the Board of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) bringing the composition of the board to 4 women and 5 men.

The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body established under the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007. It is an independent statutory body which provides a single point of contact for all complaints against Scottish legal practitioners. It investigates and resolves complaints about inadequate professional services; refers conduct complaints to the relevant professional body and has oversight of complaint handling across the professions.

Emma Huttonis aHuman Rights, equality and social justice campaigner and has over 15 years’ worth of experience leading projects, programmes and organisation. Emma is passionate about making law accessible to people in 2015. She established a partnership campaign called Equally Ours, to promote human rights laws. Emma leads communications participation to the Scottish Human Rights Commission. She also runs her own consultancy business providing strategic communications and development services. Emma hasdegrees in politics and law and is a trustee of Engender.

Michelle Hyndhas a broad range of senior executive experience. She gained this operating at board level within a number of complex organisations, in the public, private and third sector. As a Director of corporate infrastructure and development at the SSE plc for over ten years, she has gained considerable experience operating in a regulated industry within commercial FTSE100 organisation. Michelle has served as a non-executive Director of Scottish Business in the community for 6 years. Throughout this she had a particular focus on supporting substantial business in Scotland. Prior to this Michelle worked at Scottish Enterprise for 13 years with a focus on economic development in Scotland. Michelle is a graduate of Strathclyde University and holds a PHD and MBA.

Amanda Pringle began her career as a solicitor in 1988 with a local authority traineeship. She moved to the private sector followed by 20 years within the voluntary sector in Glasgow. Amanda also brings with her practical experience and knowledge of working with clients, fellow professionals and the public. Throughout her career she has been focused on the consumer and believing in transparency and accountability. Amanda finds clarity in communication critical to achieving effective relationships and welcomes the opportunity to work with the SLCC.

These appointmentscommenced the 1st of April 2016 and will end on the 31st of March 2021. These appointments are alsopart-time and attracts a remuneration of £212 per day, for a time commitment of 2 days per month.

None of the new members appointed to the SLCC hold any other Public Appointments.

Theseappointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

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. Both Michelle Hynd and Amanda Pringle have had no political activity within the last five years. Emma Hutton has spoken on behalf of the Women’s Equality party since January 2016. She has also held office and has assisted her party during elections.