Patrick Layden QC TD was appointed as a full-time Commissioner in September 2008.

Mr Layden practised as an advocate at the Scottish Bar for a period, then took up an appointment with the Lord Advocate's Department in London in 1977. In that office he dealt with a wide range of legislative and advisory issues, focusing latterly on European and constitutional matters. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2000. On devolution, Patrick was appointed Legal Secretary to the Lord Advocate. In 2003 he was appointed Deputy Solicitor to the Scottish Government.