Sheriff Principal who served biggest area in Scotland
Born: January 23, 1941
Died: November 20, 2017
DOUGLAS Risk, who has died aged 76, was Sheriff Principal of Grampian, Highland and Islands between 1993 and 2001, having previously served as sheriff at Aberdeen and Stonehaven.
In terms of area, the sheriffdom is the biggest in Scotland, incorporating the whole of the mainland north of a line between near Montrose in the east and a point to the south west of Fort William, as well as the Western Isles and Orkney and Shetland.
In the fulfilment of his duties, he was responsible for the administrative oversight of the sheriffdom and its various courts while hearing appeals from these courts in civil cases and performing other judicial functions. He did so from his base in Aberdeen but would also spend a week per month in Inverness, from where he would regularly visit outlying courts, including flights to the islands. This was a demanding schedule, as he made a point of sitting in as many courts as possible, at the same time getting to know and providing much appreciated support to the resident sheriffs in the jurisdiction.
He was admitted to the office of advocate on 22nd July 1966, having undertaken a period of devilling to James Milligan, later Lord Milligan, Court of Session and High Court judge. Demonstrating interest and ability in the intricacies of the law, he began building up a busy practice in civil cases and was standing junior counsel for the Scottish education department.
In 1976 he was approached by the then Lord Advocate, Lord King Murray, who suggested he apply for the post of sheriff. Initially he was appointed in
a temporary capacity before being made a floating sheriff for the Lothians and Borders in 1977.
He then secured a permanent shrieval position at Aberdeen, which also covered Stonehaven, commencing in September 1979. There he formed part of a highly respected and formidable quartet of sheriffs, comprising Messrs Russell, Stewart, Scott and himself.
During his tenure, he undertook conscientiously and with distinction the whole spectrum of judicial duties, including several complex civil and criminal cases and fatal accident inquiries.
His ability was recognised by his being appointed Queens Counsel and temporary Court of Session judge in 1992. When the position of Sheriff Principal of Grampian, Highland and Islands fell vacant, his predecessor Ronald Ireland Q.C. persuaded him to apply and he was appointed in May 1993.
Douglas James Risk was born in Glasgow, the elder son of James and Isobel. His father was a well known solicitor, a partner in the firm of Brechin, Welsh and Risk, which subsequently underwent various amalgamations. Despite loss of his eyesight, James continued working well into his 70s and undoubtedly had an influence in his son’s choice of career.
Brought up mostly in Bearsden where the family moved when Douglas was nine, he attended Glasgow Academy. There he acquitted himself well academically and enjoyed playing rugby, cricket and tennis. Studies at Cambridge University followed, at Gonville and Caius College, where he read classics and law.
Having obtained his BA degree, he returned to Glasgow to undertake an accelerated law degree at the city’s university, graduating in 1965. After work experience in a solicitor’s office, he moved to Edinburgh to begin his devilling for the Bar.
Through his involvement with Bearsden North Church he met Jennifer Davidson, a primary school teacher, whom he married in August 1967 . They went on to enjoy a happy and fulfilling marriage, celebrating their golden wedding four months ago, and had four children, Kenneth, Helen, Malcolm and Colin.
The first 12 years of married life were spent in Edinburgh, where Douglas’ involvement with the church continued as member of both Warrender and Greenbank kirks, being an elder in the former. With his appointment to Aberdeen, they made their home in the West End of the city where they continued living.
On first coming to the Granite City, he lived for six months in the Royal Northern and University Club while looking for suitable accommodation to house his family. That marked the start of a long association with the Club, in which he played an important part in many of its activities, including a spell as chairman.
Although family and professional commitments meant little free time, he managed to pursue various interests. He joined Holburn West church where he was a highly regarded elder for more than 30 years. Encouraged by Jennifer, he took up golf and became a member of Royal Aberdeen. He was also a member of the Bench and Bar Golf Society, taking part regularly in their outings. An individualistic style sometimes saw him stand still for longish periods over the ball, resulting in a colleague labelling him affectionately, ‘the man with the semi permanent address.’
He and Jennifer were staunch supporters of Friends of Scottish Opera and hosted parties in their garden to raise funds. They also enjoyed taking part in amateur operatic productions, mainly at the Barn theatre near Methlick, where he enjoyed female character portrayal in roles such as Maddalena in Verdi’s Rigoletto and Carmen.
Conscious of the difficulties of the visually impaired through his father’s circumstances, he also undertook audio description at the city’s His Majesty’s Theatre, a difficult service requiring precision, patience and timing but one hugely appreciated by those affected. He also enjoyed being a Commissioner of Northern Lighthouses and their inspection tours.
Douglas Risk is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and brother Alan.
JACK DAVIDSON
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