The Judicial Appointments Board have appointed two solicitors and one former advocate depute as part-time sheriffs.

John Rafferty, of Rafferty Wood and Co, Solicitors in Castlemilk, and Mark Thorley of Edinburgh's Thorley Stephenson join Peter Hammond on the bench. 

Mr Rafferty is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1981. He was a partner with Maguire Cook and Co, Solicitors in Glasgow until 1992 and is also a tutor and internal examiner in the Glasgow Graduate School of Law.

Peter Hammond is a graduate of the University of Dundee. He was admitted as a solicitor in August 1986, becoming a partner of Ross Strachan and Co. Solicitors in Dundee in 1990. In June 1992 Mr Hammond was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates. He was a temporary sheriff from 1998 until 1999 and a part-time chairman of the Rent Assessment Panel for Scotland from 1997 to 2003. He served as an Advocate Depute from 2004 until 2007.

Mr Thorley is graduate of the University of Aberdeen and was admitted as a solicitor in 1987.