Appointment of women to top law jobs is welcome.. but they'll have work cut out

The selection of female candidates for the two top posts in the Scots legal system could lead to a much-needed change in approach

THERE was a time, not that long ago, when the notion of women being at the forefront of taking on the criminal world would have been unthinkable.

But this week it was announced the two top jobs in the Crown Office will be held by women.

Dorothy Bain QC and Ruth Charteris QC will lead Scotland’s prosecution service after being appointed Lord Advocate and Solicitor General respectively.

It got me thinking about changing dynamics in law enforcement – but also how there is still a long way to go for women to smash more stereotypes.

A Google search for female crimefighters brings up all kinds of fictional TV detectives and world-weary heroines in books but very little in the way of real-life women at the sharp end of the justice system.

Bain is probably best known for nailing serial killer Peter Tobin and securing his first conviction for murdering Polish student Angelika Kluk but there are so many other strings to her bow.

A strong advocate for victims, she challenged the Crown in court over its refusal to charge Harry Clarke over the bin lorry crash in Glasgow’s George Square in 2018.