Lord of Session (Scotland)
A Senator (Judge) of the College of Justice in Scotland is known as a Lord of Session.
On taking his seat on the Bench he is given a judicial title by which he is known whilst in Office and on retirement.
Most Lords of Session continue to use their surname as their judicial title, but a territorial designation may be adopted in lieu of the surname if approved by the Lord Lyon.
The first woman to be appointed a Lord of Session, Lady Cosgrove, was installed in 1996. She is addressed in court as Lady Cosgrove or 'my Lady', otherwise as for a male Lord of Session.
How to Address a Lord of Session
The recommended social form of address is:
| Beginning of letter | Dear Lord Cameron |
| End of letter | Yours sincerely |
| Envelope | The Hon Lord Cameron |
| If a Privy Counsellor | The Rt Hon Lord Cameron |
| Verbal communication | Lord Cameron |
| Signature (if not a peer) | Christian name (or initials) and surname |
Forms of Address for female Lords of Session
| Beginning of letter | Dear Lady Cameron |
| End of letter | Yours sincerely |
| Envelope | The Hon lady Cameron |
| If a Privy Counsellor | The Rt Hon Lady Cameron |
| Verbal communication | Lady Cameron |
| Signature (if not a peer) | Christian name (or initials) and surname |
Since 1990 it has been possible to appoint temporary judges to sit in the Court of Session, but they receive no judicial title and would be referred to and addressed simply as 'Judge Smith'.
Wife or Widow of a Lord of Session
A wife or widow of a Lord of Session (including Lord Justice-General and Lord Justice-Clerk) is addressed by her husband's Judicial title, preceded by 'Lady' (not 'The Lady').
