A MEMBERSHIP body for solicitors operating in Glasgow and West Central Scotland has appointed its first female leader in its 349-year history.

Nicola Irvine, who is a litigation partner at local firm Russells Gibson McCaffrey, has been elected dean of the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow.

The organisation, which has been in existence since at least 1668, represents the majority of legal practitioners in Greater Glasgow, giving access to its law library at Nelson Mandela Square and running a continuing profession development education programme.

Ms Irvine, who is also a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s civil justice committee, has replaced Clyde & Co partner Gilles Graham as dean.

She said: “Some might say that in 2017 and after 349 years it was about time that the Faculty elected a woman to be Dean; as proud as I am of that, it does not detract from the privilege of being elected by my peers to represent them.”

She added that she expects to be “very busy” during her two-year term and intends to be an “active dean”.

Mitchells Roberton chairman Donald Reid is now vice-dean of the Faculty.