The head of the Faculty of Advocates is stepping down after serving as leader of the Bar for three years.

Roy Martin, 57, was elected Dean of the Faculty in November 2004 and said his tenure had been marked by a period of "intense scrutiny" for the legal profession.

The faculty represents the top tier of Scotland's legal establishment, covering the country's 460 practising advocates and QCs as well as many of the country's judges, sheriffs and academics.

It was established in 1532 as an independent body of lawyers admitted to appear in the supreme courts of Scotland. The election of the new dean will now be organised.