30 April 2025
St Hugh’s Principal becomes first female to be sworn in as Lord Clerk Register of Scotland
Congratulations to our Principal, Lady Elish Angiolini, who was yesterday sworn in as the new Lord Clerk Register of Scotland by the Lord President of the Court of Session of Scotland at a ceremony held in Parliament House in Edinburgh.
Lady Elish is the first female to hold the role and was appointed by His Majesty the King, on the recommendation of the Scottish First Minister.
She succeeds the Lord Mackay of Clashfern, K.T., who retired from the office in November 2022, having held it since 2007.
The Lord President said: “The office of Lord Clerk Register is an honorific and voluntary role. It is the oldest of the great offices of state in Scotland. The responsibilities associated with the role have evolved a number of times since the office was first established in the late thirteenth century.
“At that time, the holder was responsible for the records of Chancery, Parliament and the Exchequer, and later the Court of Session.
“Today, responsibility for these records lies with the National Records of Scotland. The Lord Clerk Register retains the duties of Keeper of the Signet, who grants a commission to the Principal Clerk of Session for the use of the Signet as royal authority for the bringing of civil actions. The Lord Clerk Register is also, along with the Lord Justice Clerk, a Commissioner of the Regalia; responsible for the safekeeping of the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland.”
