Ruth Charteris KC has been sworn in as Lord Advocate and Brian (BJ) Gill KC as Solicitor General for Scotland at a ceremony in Parliament House today, Friday 19 June 2026.
The swearing in followed their appointment by His Majesty the King after the Scottish Parliament voted to recommend them for office.
Following her appointment, the Lord Advocate 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.”
The Lord Advocate is the senior Scottish Law Officer. The role includes ministerial responsibilities. It is a historic office which has a range of functions associated with the maintenance of the rule of law and the proper administration of justice. The role has four main components:
· Head of the systems of criminal prosecution and investigation of deaths
· Principal legal adviser to the Scottish Government
· Representing the Scottish Government in civil proceedings
· Representing the public interest in a range of statutory and common law civil and constitutional functions
In relation to criminal prosecutions and investigation of deaths, the Law Officers have always acted independently of other Ministers and, indeed, of any other person. That duty is expressly recognised in s.48(5) of the Scotland Act 1998.
The Solicitor General is the Lord Advocate’s deputy.