Deborah O'Brien Demick has been appointed the new HM Chief
Inspector of Prosecution in Scotland.
She succeeds Laura Paton who has been in the position since 2019.
Mrs Demick has significant experience working in the
Crown Office having held roles since 1999, currently as Deputy
Head of National Homicide Team and Road Traffic Fatalities
Investigation Unit.
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC said:
“I welcome Deborah's appointment. She will bring to the role an
in-depth prosecutorial knowledge and shares our commitment to
improving peoples' experiences of Scotland's criminal justice
system.
“I am grateful for Laura Paton's work as HM Chief Inspector of
Prosecution over the past six years and have greatly valued her
insight and assessment of the work of COPFS.”
Mrs Demick said:
“I am proud and delighted to be appointed as the new HM Chief
Inspector of Prosecution in Scotland. The work of the
Inspectorate is vital in letting the public know how the Crown
Office and Procurator Fiscal (COPFS) investigates and prosecutes
crime and investigates all sudden and suspicious deaths.
Independent scrutiny is vital in supporting COPFS to develop
effective and compassionate services for all.
“I have a clear vision of how we can make a positive difference,
continue to drive improvements and build a modern prosecution
service with the right tools and training to deliver effective
and compassionate justice and death investigations across
Scotland.”
Background
Deborah O'Brien Demick was selected through an open recruitment
process conducted in line with the Civil Service Commission
Recruitment Principles. The appointment will take effect on 14
July 2025.
Deborah joined COPFS as a trainee in 1999 and has worked in
courts across Scotland. She is highly experienced in the
preparation and prosecution of cases and conduct of Fatal
Accident Inquiries. She delivered the first successful
application under the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2011, which
paved the way and culminated in the re-trial and conviction of
Angus Sinclair for the 1977 murders of Christine Eadie and Helen
Scott.
Since 2020, Deborah has been Deputy Head of National Homicide
Team and Road Traffic Fatalities Investigation Unit at the Crown
Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). She has been
responsible for senior leadership of investigations, and the
development of strategies to deliver service improvements.
She delivered an in-depth review of Child Deaths and
Non–Accidental Injuries in Children, published in 2024, which
established a framework for COPFS and partners to support
bereaved families and address the reduction of preventable
deaths.
She has also contributed to the Scottish Government Domestic
Homicide Review Taskforce working with partners to develop work
to review such deaths.
Deborah holds an Honours Degree in Scots Law from the University
of Dundee and postgraduate diploma in Legal Practice from the
University of Strathclyde.
