Cluness and Shannon appointed honorary sheriffs

Former SIC convener Sandy Cluness and deputy chief executive Willie Shannon have been appointed honorary sheriffs at Lerwick Sheriff Court.

Sandy Cluness
Sandy Cluness

The two former leading council figures, both from a legal background, were “installed” at Lerwick Sheriff Court at a ceremony last week.

Sheriff Principal for Grampian and the Highlands and Islands Derek Pyle was on hand to swear in the two new sheriffs, who will stand in for sheriff Philip Mann when he is holding court in Orkney.

Mr Cluness acted as a defence lawyer in the Lerwick court for many a year and was reporter to the children’s panel for 12 years. Before that he was the first full-time procurator fiscal in Shetland. His first job involving the court was actually as a reporter for The Shetland Times.

Mr Shannon, the director of NAFC Marine Centre, was deputy chief executive of the SIC for a number of years and has been a solicitor for the last 23 years.

Willie Shannon
Willie Shannon

 

 

Following the official ceremony the two new honorary sheriffs were treated to a reception at the

town hall where they had once worked closely.

Honorary sheriffs are appointed to the voluntary post by the sheriff principal and act as unpaid public servants.

COMMENTS(7)

Add Your Comment
  • David Clark

    • May 24th, 2014 21:41

    ….assistant chief executive…

    REPLY
  • Allen Fraser

    • May 25th, 2014 16:15

    Jobs for ‘da boys’ that were at the helm and charted Shetland’s course towards bankruptcy. They get rewarded while Shetland’s rural schools and communities pay the price for years of misdirection. Such is public life in Shetland.

    REPLY
  • Ian tinkler

    • May 26th, 2014 6:27

    Allen, as long as these positions are truly “honorary” I can see no objection. However if commending a large salary, that would be different. I would be interested to know.

    REPLY
    • Allen Fraser

      • May 26th, 2014 9:28

      Ian,
      “Honorary” public appointments (paid or unpaid) should go to those with a track record that has earned the confidence of the public – nothing to do with salary.

      REPLY
  • Michael Inkster

    • May 26th, 2014 10:20

    As to remuneration, there’s a clue in the last sentence of the report, Michael Inkster

    REPLY
  • ian tinkler

    • May 26th, 2014 12:02

    Thanks Michael, missed that!!! With regard to public confidence, in the legal aspect of these gentleman’s experience, I see no problems in these appointments. We should thank them for undertaking this public duty, not my idea of a fun undertaking.!!

    REPLY
  • Sandy McMillan

    • May 26th, 2014 17:15

    Does this mean Cluness, and Shannon wear there Sheriffs badges, along with there Holster and guns, and patrol the streets wearing there stetsons, riding there Shetland ponies.

    REPLY

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