Fellows

the rt. hon. Patrick Hodge, Lord Hodge - 2025

Lord Hodge, retires at Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court. The son of a Writer to the Signet, Lord Hodge was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1983 and became a QC in 1996. He served the Scottish Law Commission, was a Judge of the Courts of Appeal of Jersey and Guernsey, before being appointed a Senator of the College of Justice in 2005. He succeeded Lord Hope of Craighead as a Justice on the UK Supreme Court in 2013 and became Deputy President in 2020. Universally admired for his intellect and courtesy, the Society was delighted to welcome  Lord Hodge as a Fellow within what is the professional home of the Hodge family, among Writers to the Signet.

the rt. hon. Colin Sutherland, Lord Carloway - 2025

Lord Carloway, has been a commanding figure on the Scottish bench for 25 years, most recently as Lord President from 2012. He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1977 and served as an Advocate Depute in the 1980s. He was Treasurer of the Faculty of Advocates before his appointment as a Senator of the College of Justice in 2000. He succeeded Lord Gill as Lord Justice Clerk in 2012 and then as Lord President in 2015. He was the author of the Carloway Review which looked at key elements of Scottish criminal law and practice in the light of the decision of the UK Supreme Court in Cadder. As Lord President, Lord Carloway has overseen major changes in the justice system, not least those accelerated by the Covid pandemic. Truly, a giant of Scots law, the Society is delighted to have Lord Carloway as one of its Fellows.

Secretary john kerry - 2023

Admitted 2023. Secretary John Kerry is a distinguished politician and diplomat. He trained as an attorney before enlisting in the Naval Reserve in 1966, going on to serve with distinction in the Vietnam War. Secretary Kerry held office as US Senator from Massachusetts before being appointed Secretary of State by President Barack Obama in 2013. As part of the Biden Administration, Secretary Kerry served as the first US Special Envoy for Climate from January 2021 to March 2024; he remains active in the field of climate finance. In May 2024, Secretary Kerry was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden in recognition of “his public service career that has spanned seven decades”.

AMAL CLOONEY – 2021

Admitted 2021. Barrister in England and qualified to practice in the USA. Ranked in the legal directories as a leading barrister in international human rights law, public international law, and international criminal law, Clooney is described as “a brilliant legal mind” who “handles cases of real international importance” and has a “passionate commitment to the law and compassion for people it serves”.

PROFESSOR THULI MADONSELA – 2020

Admitted 2020. South African constitutional lawyer and Law Faculty Trust Chair for Social Justice and Law Professor at the University of Stellenbosch. Named one of TIME 100’s most influential people in 2014 and Forbes Africa Person of the Year 2016. Professor Madonsela is also an inaugural leader of the South African Women Lawyers Association, with a reputation for “integrity and fearlessness in enforcing accountability and justice”.

The rt. hon. LORD SUMPTIOn OBE, KC, pc, FSA, FRHistS – 2019

Admitted 2019. Celebrated barrister, Justice of the UK Supreme Court, distinguished historian and author of Sunday Times bestseller Trials of the State: Law and the Decline of Politics. Lord Sumption, when appointed the 2019 BBC Reith Lecturer, was described in his introduction as a “man with the brain the size of a planet”.

the rt. hon. The Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE, PC, KC, FBA - 2018

Admitted 2018. Called to the bar in 1969, Lady Hale went on to become the first ever woman to serve on the UK Supreme Court, becoming Deputy President in 2013 and its President from 2017 to 2020. Lady Hale is described as both “a feminist icon” and “one of the most influential lawyers and judges of our times”. It has even been said that “she breathed modernity into one of our oldest institutions”.

the rt. hon. The Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury GBS, PC, HonFRs - 2017

Admitted 2017, Lord Neuberger described a Writer to Her Majesty’s Signet as “a title that has splendour all of its own”. He was appointed as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in 2007 and a Law Lord in the House of Lords, also in 2007, before becoming renowned President of the UK Supreme Court from 2012 to 2017, his rise through the judicial office has been described as “one of the quickest in modern times”.

the rt. hon. LORD GILL PC, KSG, FRSE, FRSAMD, FRSCM - 2015

Admitted 2015. Former Lord President and Lord Justice General, famous for undertaking a far-reaching review of the civil court system in Scotland during his term. Lord Gill went on to serve as acting judge on the UK Supreme Court, where Lord Neuberger remarked on Lord Gill's "enormous and long-lasting contribution to the development of the law and the rule of law in Scotland and the UK generally."

Sir Chris Hoy MBE - 2013

Admitted 2013. 11-time World Champion. 6- time Olympic Champion and Scotland’s most decorated Olympian ever. On Sir Chris Hoy’s retirement, Lord Coe remarked that “his respect for opponents, and commitment to clean competition, has been unwavering….Chris is an icon and he has earned a revered place among our nation's greatest sporting heroes." As well as his sporting prowess, Sir Chris is also an International Inspiration ambassador for UNICEF, ambassador for UNICEF UK, and an ambassador for SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health).

the rt. hon. The Lord Hope of Craighead KT, KC, PC, FRSE – 2011

Admitted 2011. Beginning his career as a devil to Keeper of the Signet, Lord Mackay of Clashfern, Lord Hope’s legal career went from strength to strength, rising through the ranks of Scottish law to become Lord President and thereafter Senior Law Lord and Vice President of the UK Supreme Court. On his retirement The Scotsman stated “his career has been dazzling”.

professor sir ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH CBE, FRSE - 2010

Admitted 2010. Stellar academic legal career, Emeritus Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh and famous fiction writer. He has now written more than 100 books, receiving numerous awards for his writing and holds twelve honorary doctorates from various universities. In 2007 he received a CBE for services to literature and in 2011 was honoured by the President of Botswana for services through literature to the country.

the rt. hon. the BARONESS KENNEDY OF THE SHAWS, KC, FRSA, HONFRSE - 2008

Admitted 2008. One of Britain's most distinguished lawyers, she has spent her professional life giving voice to those who have least power within the system, championing civil liberties and promoting human rights. A prolific writer and frequent media presence on a wide range of pressing issues, including the rights of woman and children.

the rt. hon. Sir David Edward KCMG, KC, FRSE - 2008

Admitted 2008. Advocate, QC, leading academic, and former Judge of the Court of Justice of the European Communities. Sir David has a string of accolades to his name and it is no surprise that he has been described as a man with “extensive experience” which “makes him ideally suited to provide expert opinions on matters within his areas of expertise”.

the rt. hon. (THE LATE) LORD BINGHAM OF CORNHILL KG, PC, FBA – 2007

Admitted 2007. Remembered as one of the architects in setting up the UK Supreme Court and one of the first senior judges to give public support to incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into English Law. He was commemorated by Lord Hope as “the greatest jurist of our time”.