A long-standing Stirling sheriff retired last week after a distinguished legal career.
Sheriff Wyllie Robertson first obtained an apprenticeship with Glasgow law firm Bishop, Milne and Boyd after graduating in law from the University of Strathclyde in 1974.
An old and well-respected firm of solicitors, its senior partner had been Professor John M Halliday, then Emeritus Professor of Conveyancing in the University of Glasgow.
On completing his apprenticeship, he practiced as a solicitor, latterly becoming court partner with the firm of Bennett & Robertson, solicitors in their Glasgow office.
Sheriff Robertson was appointed permanently to the bench in May 2000 as a floating sheriff in the Sheriffdom of Tayside, Central and Fife.
Always based at Stirling, he initially sat in Dundee. He was subsequently appointed as resident sheriff in Stirling in June 2001, which was the first time Stirling had a resident second sheriff.
He had held a temporary commission as a sheriff since 1992.
Sheriff Robertson spoke of the changes he has witnessed over the years and how the court had to adapt in the pandemic.
He said: “At my installation I commented on the part that technology would play in the courts in the next few years. That has certainly increased enormously, but no-one would have anticipated that I would have been conducting jury trials with the jurors sitting in a cinema in Dunfermline.”
Reflecting on his career, he said: “I have enjoyed immensely my time on the bench and it has been the most satisfying part of my career in law. The reasons are many and varied. I have been very fortunate to have had the most excellent shrieval colleagues resident with me here.
“It was a particular pleasure to have Sheriff R E G (Bobby) Younger when I first arrived, whose patience and unfailing courtesy on and off the bench I have never managed to achieve.
“Sheriff Andrew Cubie joined me after Sheriff Younger retired and remained here for some years before moving to Glasgow and Sheriff William A Gilchrist then joined me and remains here. I could not have wished for more supportive and learned colleagues.
“Stirling has also been well-served for many years by an experienced and able local bar of solicitors in both civil and criminal practice. Many of them were here before I arrived and still practice here today. Their contribution to the efficient running of the courts cannot be underestimated and their cooperation has been greatly appreciated.
“The sheriff clerk and staff within the court are the people with whom the sheriff has most contact on a daily basis. Stirling has been blessed in that regard. Their committed support, patience and resilience has been tested in the last 15 months but their good humour and camaraderie has helped us all cope with the strains of the pandemic and allowed the courts to continue to function. I am very grateful to them.
“It may be some time before jurors return to the courtroom, but my immediate concern now will be to lower my golf handicap.”
