Richard Keen QC has been elected dean of the Faculty of Advocates (Scottish bar), beating off competition from vice dean Valerie Stacey.
Keen, until now treasurer of the faculty, takes over from Roy Martin QC, who has stood down after three years to focus on his administrative and land law practice as a member of Murray Stable in Scotland and Landmark Chambers in England (www.thelawyer.com, 19 November).
Keen, a member of Axiom Advocates who was called to the bar in 1980 and made silk in 1993, said: “It is a great privilege to be elected as dean of the Faculty of Advocates. With that privilege comes responsibility – responsibility in particular for leading an independent and effective bar which continues to meet the needs of those who require its services and the aspirations of those who provide them.”
A formidable court-room presence dubbed the “Rottweiler” north of the border, Keen is currently appearing for the family of Henri Paul at the coroner’s inquest into the deaths of Diana Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed.
Last year he was famously sacked by former Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan during his defamation case against the News of the World. Sheridan later tried to rehire Keen for his appeal was turned down.
In 2000 Keen led the defence of Lamin Fhimah at the Netherlands trial over the 1998 Lockerbie bombing. Fhimah was acquitted while his co accused, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Faculty of Advocates will hold an election for the position of treasurer in the coming weeks.
Farepak Victims Committee
Can I on behalf of the Farepak Victims Committee thank Mr Roy Martin and his staff for all his support over the last year.
Mr. Keen’s nickname at Zeist
As one who attended the whole 10 months of the “Lockerbie” trial at Camp Zeist in Holland, I became an admirer of Richard Keen. At that time he was known among the relatives of the victims and among the more permanent media people as Genghis Keen because of his ruthless and probing style.