Ruth Charteris KC to Become Scotland's Top Law Officer
The current solicitor general, Ruth Charteris KC, is set to become Scotland's top law officer.
The First Minister has recommended that the King appoint her as Lord Advocate, succeeding Dorothy Bain, who is stepping down.
If her nomination is approved, Charteris will lead the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and serve as the chief legal adviser to the Scottish government.
The dual role of Lord Advocate has been subject to controversy, but Scottish National Party (SNP) ministers have stated they have no plans to alter this arrangement.
Bain announced following the recent Holyrood election that she would be stepping down, continuing a recent trend of lord advocates leaving office after approximately five years.
It was the first time that Scotland's two top law officer positions were simultaneously held by women.
Brian Gill KC, known as BJ Gill, will succeed Charteris as the new solicitor general.
Charteris expressed gratitude for the nomination, stating:
"I recognise the importance and the responsibility of this role and, if I am appointed, it will be a great privilege to serve the people of Scotland."
Who is Ruth Charteris?
Charteris has specialised in public law, professional negligence, and personal injury.
She served as an ad hoc advocate depute in the Crown Office from 2010 to 2016.
In 2020, she was appointed Queen's Counsel and joined the Crown Office as an advocate depute.
From 2012 to 2016, Charteris acted as the standing junior to the Scottish government and then as the second standing junior from 2016 until 2020.
During her tenure as solicitor general, Charteris contributed to investigations involving senior government officials as part of the UK Covid inquiry and met with the family of Emma Caldwell.
She also attended the chamber alongside Bain during the Lord Advocate's statement regarding the Horizon Post Office IT system.
First Minister's Statement and Role of Lord Advocate
First Minister John Swinney commented:
"I am extremely pleased to be seeking parliament's agreement to recommend Ruth Charteris KC and BJ Gill KC as Scotland's law officers.
"I offer my thanks and gratitude to Dorothy Bain KC for her dedicated service to the government, to justice and to Scotland."
The Lord Advocate has traditionally held a crucial role in Scotland's legal system, but in recent years the position has gained a high public profile due to several controversies.
Earlier this year, Bain was involved in a political dispute when it emerged she had provided John Swinney with information regarding the prosecution of former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell on embezzlement charges.
Bain denied allegations from the Scottish Conservatives that she had been misleading in her statement to Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), asserting that it is standard for the First Minister to be informed of significant investigations and court cases.
Swinney supported her, stating it was:
"entirely appropriate" for her to provide information to him on the "sensitive" case.
Opposition politicians have called for an end to the Lord Advocate's "cosy" dual role as head of the prosecution service and a member of the government's cabinet, but there are currently no plans to implement changes.
