New law officers installed

Ruth Charteris KC is now lord advocate and Brian J Gill KC is solicitor general.

Lord Pentland said: “On behalf of the Scottish judiciary, I congratulate you both on your appointments as the new law officers. I also welcome to the court members of your families and friends who have attended here this morning.

“Lord Advocate, having served as solicitor general for Scotland since 2021 you take up your new role with great experience of leadership in our country’s prosecution service. Your substantial knowledge of civil and public law will assist you as principal legal adviser to the Scottish ministers.

“Solicitor General, you too have substantial knowledge in those areas of law which are most relevant to your important public functions. You have been a senior advocate depute with responsibility for prosecuting the most serious criminal offences. You have previously been standing junior counsel to the advocate general for Scotland and the Home Office and have extensive experience and expertise in public law.

“The criminal justice system faces unprecedented challenges arising from an ever-increasing volume of serious cases, especially in the High Court of Justiciary. The court must work together with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and with the professions to address these challenges. We will require in the years ahead to be open to new ways of working and to have the vision and imagination to devise more modern ways of tackling the problems we face. This will require support from government to ensure that the country continues to have a fair, robust and efficient system of criminal justice.

“In light of your significant achievements to date, the court has confidence in you both as you seek to maintain and uphold the rule of law in government. The roles to which you have been appointed are demanding, but they are two great, historic offices, which will give you significant personal and professional fulfilment in the coming years. I wish you every success and look forward to working with you.”

Following her appointment, Ms Charteris said: “I pay tribute to my predecessor Dorothy Bain KC for her exceptional public service. It is an honour to take up the role of lord advocate and serve the people of Scotland.  

“This is an office of significant responsibility, and I will discharge it with independence, integrity, and a clear focus on serving the public interest. I recognise there is continued attention on the future of the office. Any consideration of reform is a matter for Parliament, and my responsibility is to carry out the role as it exists today.  

“I welcome respectful and well-informed discussion about the office and its future. That discussion should be conducted in a way that maintains public confidence in the present system and the administration of justice.”