Lord MacLean has been a judge since 1990

The Sentencing Commission has been created by the Scottish Executive in an attempt to tackle public concerns and rebuild trust in the justice system.

Lord MacLean, who has been a judge for more than a decade, has been chosen to head the body.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said she hoped to see "early progress" on the issue of bail conditions.

She said she would discuss the body's detailed remit with Lord MacLean in the coming weeks.

"I expect the commission to look at a whole range of potential measures to improve public confidence in sentencing, in bail and in remand," she said.

The commission will be asked to examine:

• What can be done to improve consistency of sentencing

• How effective sentences are in reducing re-offending

• Arrangements for prisoners' early release and the supervision of short-term prisoners after they are released

• The use of bail and remand to meet public safety requirements

• The basis on which fines are determined.

The full membership of the commission, which will include key agencies in the criminal justice system and members of the judiciary and victims' groups, is to be announced in the autumn.

Ms Jamieson said she expected the body to split its remit into stages and provide a rolling programme of recommendations to the executive.

"The conditions on which people are released on bail is one area in which I wish to make early progress," she said.

The commission will be asked to examine a range of issues

Ms Jamieson added: "The commission will play a vital role in making Scotland a fairer and safer place for all.

"Fairer by ensuring that sentences consistently reflect the seriousness of the crime and safer by ensuring that sentences effectively deter and rehabilitate offenders."

Lord MacLean has been a judge since 1990 and a member of the Criminal Justice Forum since 1996.

He led the committee which reviewed the sentencing and treatment of serious sexual and violent offenders.