Sheriff pays tribute after death of court solicitor

The isles sheriff has paid tribute to defence solicitor Greer McRoberts, who has died peacefully after a long illness.

Sheriff Graeme Napier described Mr McRoberts as “one of life’s characters”, and added he would be sadly missed by the many people who came to know him.

Addressing the court in Lerwick before proceedings began, Sheriff Napier said: “Before we commence today’s business it is appropriate for me to record news of the untimely death early this morning, after a long period of illness, of Greer McRoberts, solicitor, who regularly appeared before this court.

“Greer had a long connection with this court as one of the few agents who was prepared to act in legally aided criminal cases and was a stalwart of the Legal Aid duty solicitor scheme.

“Indeed I am aware that his connection with the court goes back many years before my own appointment here and accordingly he was better known to others than he was to me, particularly as his health had affected his availability to appear here over the past year or so.”

He added: “I was thinking how I would describe Greer. Each of us will have their own memories, whether that is of him as agent in court, convivial host at his home or elsewhere, organiser of so called training weekends for fellow solicitors or as provider of biscuits to the clerks.

“I suspect, however, that nobody will disagree with me when I describe him as one of life’s characters.

“I know that in his passing he will be missed by many people in Shetland, not only those of us who work in the court but also his clients and the many contacts he had made in Shetland over the years flying to and from Aberdeen.

“Clearly our thoughts are with all those people who will miss Greer, but particularly they will be with his family in Tarland and elsewhere who will feel his loss most acutely.”