On 21 February 2020, our partner and chairman, Donald Reid, had the honour and privilege of serving as Dean at the Triennial Dinner of the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow. The event was held in the impressive Banqueting Hall of the City Chambers in Glasgow’s George Square. Among the 300 diners filling the Banqueting Hall, Donald was delighted to be joined at the event by guests including the Lord Advocate, the Lord President of the Court of Session, the Solicitor General For Scotland along with the partners, consultants and associates of Mitchells Roberton.
After a tremendous dinner, the first guest speaker was Sir John Gillen, a former Lord Justice of Appeal of Northern Ireland and serving Privy Councillor. Sir John delivered a thought-provoking as well as entertaining speech covering wide ranging topics and aspects of his career, most memorably touching on the realities, harsh and humorous, of life as a senior judge. Sir John was followed by Harry Potter (“not that one”), a Barrister and broadcaster and lifelong friend of Donald. Harry regaled the audience with tales long and tall of his and Donald’s careers, while never straying far from the evident warmth and respect he holds for his friend.
Donald and the Royal Faculty wish to repeat their heartfelt thanks to all who attended, planned and made this event such a memorable success. The rate at which the invites were taken up, the magnificence of the surroundings and evident number of close business relationships and, indeed, friendships, new and old, within the room were a fitting and reassuring testament to the importance and esteem in which the Royal Faculty continues to be held in Glasgow and beyond.