William Taylor was born in Aberdeenshire, and attended Robert Gordon's College public school (formerly for boys) after winning a scholarship based on academic achievement.
Taylor gained his first degree from the University of Aberdeen, an Honours in Philosophy where he followed on to complete studies in Criminal Law.
Taylor is historically notable as being the first (then Queen's Counsellor) to hold the 'KC' position in both Scotland and England.
[1][2] Taylor was reappointed Commissioner at the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission by Royal Warrant from 1 January 2002 for a further fixed term of four years expiring on 31 December 2005.
However, he undertook to resign immediately from the SCCRC if his former client Megrahi were to apply to the Commission for a review of the case.