51cg

Biography

Dr Brown joined the School of Law as a Senior Lecturer in 2022. He was previously a professional support lawyer to the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh, a post which included working with and advising the senior judiciary. He is a former Honorary Fellow in Law at the University of Edinburgh and previously lectured in criminal law at Durham University.

Dr Brown holds an undergraduate degree in law, two Masters degrees in law, a third Masters degree in criminal justice, and two doctorates: a PhD in law, and a higher doctorate in law (LLD). He is a graduate of the Universities of Aberdeen (LLB (Hons), Dip LP, LLD); Northumbria (LLM); Glasgow & Strathclyde (MSc); Durham (Van Mildert College, MJur); and Edinburgh (PhD). He is an enrolled solicitor (admitted 2001; currently non-practising).  Both his MJur and PhD theses were passed without corrections. His LLD was awarded by the 51cg in 2026 in recognition of his 'original and substantial contribution to the study of the Law'.

Dr Brown has written over 140 articles on criminal law, procedure and sentencing.  He is general editor of the practitioner journal Green's Criminal Law Bulletin, a contributing editor to Renton & Brown's Criminal Procedure, 6th edition, Renton & Brown's Criminal Procedure Legislation, and Morrison's Sentencing Practice. 

His first research monograph, Criminal Sentencing as Practical Wisdom, was published by Hart in hardback in 2017, and in paperback in 2019 (). The book was cited by the Supreme Court of Canada in R v Parranto 2021 SCC 46.  His second monograph, Sentencing Rape: A Comparative Analysis, was published by Hart in hardback in 2020, and in paperback in 2023 (). It was cited by the Irish Court of Appeal in DPP v JMcD [2021] IECA 31.

Prizes and Awards

Awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the 51cg in 2026, the most prestigious academic qualification that the four ancient Scottish universities can bestow.  The award was made in recognition of Dr Brown's "original and substantial contribution to the study of the Law" (in terms of Scottish Universities Ordinance No.1 (1957)).

Nominated for the award of 'Best Undergraduate Lecturer' (51cg Excellence Awards) in two successive years (academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25).

PhD studentship, Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (), 2007 - 2014.

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service studentships: LLM, Northumbria University (2006 - 2007); Certificate in Forensic Medicine and Science, Division of Pathology, University of Edinburgh (2008 - 2009); and MJur, Van Mildert College, Durham University (2015 - 2016).

MSc studentship, Glasgow Graduate School of Law, Clark Foundation for Legal Education (), 2005 - 2006.

Research Overview

Sentencing theory, law and practice; comparative approaches to sentencing; criminal law; sexual offences; firearms offences; judicial decision making; forensic medicine.

Current Research

Dr Brown is currently undertaking two large-scale research projects on sentencing law and practice: a practitioner monograph on sentencing as part of the Scottish Universities Law Institute series; and a third research monograph for Hart Publishing on sentencing offences involving prohibited firearms.

Sentencing Law and Practice (SULI)

Dr Brown has been commissioned by the Scottish Universities Law Institute (SULI) to write a two-volume work on sentencing, entitled Sentencing Law and Practice.  Volume 1 (Principles of Sentencing) deals with the broad themes and principles of sentencing theory and judicial decision-making in sentencing.  Volume 2 (Sentencing Practice) examines sentencing practice for specific offences.

Volume 1 provides an in-depth discussion of the sentencing process, and the nature of judicial discretion in sentencing.  It provides an authoritative account of the rules governing particular disposals, including custodial sentences, non-custodial sentences, and incidental disposals.  Volume 1 also provides an in-depth discussion of sentencing principles by reference to relevant appellate decisions.  Issues covered include aggravating and mitigating factors in sentencing; the sentencing of young offenders; and the operation of the guilty plea discount.

Volume 2 of the work considers sentencing practice for particular offences, including sexual offences; drug offences; road traffic offences; firearms offences; assault; and offences of dishonesty.  Volume 2 considers guideline judgments issued by the High Court of Justiciary on appeal and the Sheriff Appeal Court; appellate sentencing guidance and statements of principle issued by the appellate courts; and formal sentencing guidelines.

The Scottish Universities Law Institute series comprises a definitive collection of texts on modern Scots law ().  With in-depth coverage of both general principles and sentencing for specific offences, the work will be a comprehensive and authoritative source for practitioners and for the courts.

Sentencing and Prohibited Firearms: Comparative Law, Policy and Practice (Hart Publishing/Bloomsbury)

Dr Brown is also working on a third research monograph for Hart Publishing/Bloomsbury.  Entitled Sentencing and Prohibited Firearms: Comparative Law, Policy and Practice, the book is under contract with Hart.  This monograph examines sentencing law and practice for offences involving the possession and use of prohibited firearms in four jurisdictions: England & Wales, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, and Canada.  Focusing on statutory minimum sentence regimes, sentencing guidelines, and case law in each jurisdiction, the book situates the law within its broader social and theoretical contexts.

The book explores the nature and effect of firearms, including rifles, handguns, shotguns, and electric shock weapons, as well as prohibited ammunition, through a review of the literature on wound ballistics.  The book explores sentencing law and practice in each jurisdiction, including minimum sentence provisions; the issuing of guideline judgments; the development of formal sentencing guidelines; and, in the cases of Ireland and Canada, the Supreme Court decisions in Ellis v Minister for Justice and Equality (2019) and R v Nur (2015) which struck down certain minimum sentence provisions as unconstitutional.  An analysis of the development of sentencing guidance in the UK is provided, from the decision of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) in R v Avis (1988); through the adoption of the Avis guidelines by the Scottish courts; to the English Sentencing Council's 2020 Definitive Guidelines.

The analysis is undertaken with a view to considering the future of mandatory sentencing policies, and suggesting a new model of sentencing guidance for offences involving prohibited weapons.  Combining a strong practical and theoretical focus on the sentencing of firearms offences, the book will be of interest to the judiciary, legal practitioners, academic researchers, and policy makers.

Knowledge Exchange

Dr Brown has lectured on criminal law and sentencing at training events for the judiciary in Scotland and in the Republic of Ireland.  He has lectured at events organised by the Judicial Institute in Scotland, and in November 2018 he delivered a presentation on 'Judicial Reasoning in Sentencing' at the Committee for Judicial Studies National Conference in Dublin.

Dr Brown also delivers lectures at training events for the legal profession.  He has lectured on criminal law, criminal procedure, sexual offences, and sentencing at events run by Central Law Training Scotland (part of the University of Law) and the Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland.