Lord Advocate and Solicitor General sworn in

Scotland’s newly appointed Lord Advocate has pledged to carry out the role with “independence” and “integrity” while serving the public interest.

Ruth Charteris KC was sworn in as Lord Advocate and Brian (BJ) Gill KC as Solicitor General for Scotland at a ceremony in Parliament House, Edinburgh, on Friday.

Ms Charteris, previously the Solicitor General, was promoted to the top role after Dorothy Bain KC stepped down from the post.

The news that Ms Bain was standing down came after controversy over the dual role of the Lord Advocate, who is both Scotland’s chief prosecutor and the Scottish Government’s principal legal adviser as a Cabinet minister.

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.”

The role includes ministerial responsibilities and has four main components.

The Lord Advocate is head of the systems of criminal prosecution and investigation of deaths and principal legal adviser to the Scottish Government.

The role also includes representing the Scottish Government in civil proceedings, and representing the public interest in a range of statutory and common law civil and constitutional functions.

The swearing in on Friday followed the law officers’ appointment by the King after the Scottish Parliament voted to recommend them for office.