Law Officer Appointments

The First Minister has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament seeking agreement to recommend to HM The King that Ruth Charteris KC and Brian Gill KC, known as BJ Gill, be appointed as the new Scottish Law Officers.

Subject to Parliament agreeing the motions, draft Warrants will be offered for His Majesty’s consideration and signature to formally make both appointments. The First Minister has recommended that Ms Charteris be appointed as Lord Advocate, and Mr Gill be appointed as Solicitor General.

Prior to her appointment as Solicitor General in 2021, Ruth Charteris held a variety of posts including as Standing Junior to the Scottish Government and as a full time Advocate Depute at the Crown Office. BJ Gill is currently a full-time Senior Advocate Depute with responsibility for prosecuting the most serious crimes in the High Court of Justiciary.

Ms Charteris would succeed the Right Hon Dorothy Bain KC who informed the First Minister last month that she intended to leave office.

The First Minister said:

“I am extremely pleased to be seeking parliament’s agreement to recommend Ruth Charteris KC and BJ Gill KC as Scotland’s law officers.

“Ruth Charteris brings a wealth of experience, having demonstrated outstanding legal expertise and leadership throughout her career including in her service as Solicitor General over the past five years. In that capacity she has earned widespread respect across the legal profession and beyond, making her exceptionally well qualified to serve as Scotland’s Lord Advocate.

“BJ Gill KC is a candidate of excellent calibre. Having previously been Standing Junior Counsel to the Advocate General for Scotland and the Home Office, he also has extensive experience and expertise in public law, including in significant constitutional cases before the United Kingdom Supreme Court.”

Ruth Charteris KC said:

“I thank the First Minister for nominating me to the office of Lord Advocate. 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.”

BJ Gill KC said:

“I am delighted and honoured to be recommended for this appointment and I look forward to working with and supporting Ruth Charteris, if approved by Parliament.”

The First Minister thanked Ms Bain for her service and Ms Charteris for serving as Solicitor General for the last five years.

He said:

“I offer my thanks and gratitude to Dorothy Bain KC for her dedicated service to the Government, to justice and to Scotland. She has served with the highest levels of integrity and distinction marked by a steadfast commitment to strengthening justice for all, particularly in advancing the treatment of victims of serious sexual offences and leading landmark legal reform to better equip our justice system to respond to their needs.”

Background

The Lord Advocate is a member of the Scottish Government and is its senior Law Officer.

The Lord Advocate is also head of the systems of criminal prosecution and investigation of deaths and, in relation to these functions, acts independently of any other person and is not subject to the ordinary rules about collective ministerial decisions. The current recommendation for appointment is not being made on the basis of party political affiliation.

The Solicitor General is the Lord Advocate’s deputy and assists in carrying out the Lord Advocate’s functions. The Solicitor General is also a member of the Scottish Government. The current recommendation for appointment is not being made on the basis of party political affiliation.

Ms Bain would demit office on His Majesty signing the Warrant appointing her successor.