AN eminent judge who caused controversy when he resigned from his job last year has died.
Lord Morison, one of Scotland's longest-standing judges, took the unprecedented decision to step down last July after claiming an increasing dependence on temporary high court officials was undermining the independence of the judiciary.
He said their use detracted from the standing of Scottish courts and called for more permanent appointments. The 74year-old judge was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and died at his home near Banff on Sunday.
His son Simon said yesterday: "His nickname was Tiger because he didn't suffer fools gladly. As an advocate, he was extremely aware of his responsibilities to his clients and if any solicitor briefed him badly, he would get very cross.
"He was extremely wellversed in the law and was scrupulously fair. There were very few appeals against his judgments."
Lord Morison was born in Edinburgh in 1931. He studied at Winchester College and Edinburgh University before being admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1956.
He retired as a judge in the mid-1990s to spend more time indulging in his favourite hobbies, which included fishing.
However, his time away from the bench was short and he was reappointed by Lord Rodger in 1996 to work in the High Court and Court of Session.
Obituary Page 16
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