, body = , insignia = Crest of the Kingdom of Scotland.svg , insigniasize = 110px , image = File:Official Portrait of Ruth Charteris QC.png , incumbent =

Ruth Charteris Ruth Barbara Charteris King's Counsel, KC (born 1973) is a Scottish Faculty of Advocates, advocate who has served as Solicitor General for Scotland since 2021. Education Charteris studied at the University of Glasgow School of Law, where she ...

KC , incumbentsince = 22 June 2021 , department =

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is the independent public prosecution service for Scotland, and is a Ministerial Department of the Scottish Government. The department is headed by His Majesty's Lord Advocate, who under the ...

, appointer =

Monarch A monarch is a head of stateWebster's II New College DictionarMonarch Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 2001. p. 707. Life tenure, for life or until abdication, and therefore the head of state of a monarchy. A monarch may exercise the highest authority ...

on the advice of the

First Minister A first minister is any of a variety of leaders of government cabinets. The term literally has the same meaning as "prime minister" but is typically chosen to distinguish the office-holder from a superior prime minister. Currently the title of '' ...

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Scottish Government Solicitor General
His Majesty's Solicitor General for Scotland ('' gd, Àrd-neach-lagha a' Chrùin an Alba'') is one of the Law Officers of the Crown, and the deputy of the

Lord Advocate His Majesty's Advocate, known as the Lord Advocate ( gd, Morair Tagraidh, sco, Laird Advocat), is the chief legal officer of the Scottish Government and the Crown in Scotland for both civil and criminal matters that fall within the devolved po ...

, whose duty is to advise the Scottish Government on

Scots Law Scots law () is the legal system of Scotland. It is a hybrid or mixed legal system containing civil law and common law elements, that traces its roots to a number of different historical sources. Together with English law and Northern Ireland ...

. They are also responsible for the

which together constitute the Criminal Prosecution Service in

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to th ...

. Until 1999, when the

Scottish Parliament The Scottish Parliament ( gd, Pàrlamaid na h-Alba ; sco, Scots Pairlament) is the devolved, unicameral legislature of Scotland. Located in the Holyrood area of the capital city, Edinburgh, it is frequently referred to by the metonym Holy ...

and Scottish Executive were created, the

and the Solicitor General for Scotland advised

Her Majesty's Government ga, Rialtas a Shoilse gd, Riaghaltas a Mhòrachd , image = HM Government logo.svg , image_size = 220px , image2 = Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government).svg , image_size2 = 180px , caption = Royal Arms , date_est ...

. Since their transfer to the Scottish Government, the

British Government ga, Rialtas a Shoilse gd, Riaghaltas a Mhòrachd , image = HM Government logo.svg , image_size = 220px , image2 = Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government).svg , image_size2 = 180px , caption = Royal Arms , date_est ...

has been advised on

by the

Advocate General for Scotland His Majesty's Advocate General for Scotland ( gd, Àrd-neach-tagraidh an Rìgh airson Alba) is one of the Law Officers of the Crown, whose duty it is to advise the Crown and His Majesty's Government on Scots law. The Office of the Advocate Genera ...

. The current Solicitor General is

KC, who is the deputy to the Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain KC since June 2021. This is the first time in history both offices have been filled by two women.

List of Solicitors General for Scotland

List from 1696. Until 1764, the office was at times held jointly.

Pre-Union

*1696–1700: Sir Patrick Hume *1701–1706: Sir David Dalrymple of Hailes *1701–1709: William Carmichael

Post-Union

*1709–1714: Thomas Kennedy* & Sir James Steuart, Bt. *1714–1716: John Carnegie of Boyseck *1714–1717: Sir James Steuart, Bt. *1717–1720: Robert Dundas, the elder* *1720–1721: Walter Stewart *1721–1733: John Sinclair *1721–1725:

Charles Binning Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was ...

*1725–1737: Charles Erskine* *1737: William Grant of Prestongrange* *1742: Robert Dundas, the younger* *1746:

Patrick Haldane Rev Patrick Haldane of Gleneagles MP (1683–1769) was a Scottish classicist, advocate, politician and judge. Life He was born the second son of John Haldane of Gleneagles, M.P., and the younger brother of Mungo Haldane. He was educated ...

of Gleneagles & Alexander Hume *1755: Andrew Pringle of Alemore *1759: Thomas Miller* *1760: James Montgomery* & Francis Garden *1764: James Montgomery* *1766:

Henry Dundas Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, PC, FRSE (28 April 1742 – 28 May 1811), styled as Lord Melville from 1802, was the trusted lieutenant of British Prime Minister William Pitt and the most powerful politician in Scotland in the late 18t ...

* *1775: Alexander Murray *1783: Ilay Campbell* & Alexander Wight *1784: Robert Dundas* *1789: Robert Blair *1806: John Clerk *1807: David Boyle *1811: David Monypenny *1813: Alexander Maconochie* *1816: James Wedderburn *1822: John Hope *1830: Henry Cockburn *1834:

Andrew Skene Andrew Skene FRSE (1784–1835) was a Scottish advocate who rose to the highest level for his profession: Solicitor General for Scotland. Life He was born in Aberdeen on 28 February 1784 the son of Prof George Skene of Rubislaw FRSE MD (1741- ...

*1834: Duncan McNeill* *1835:

John Cunninghame John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Seco ...

*1837: Andrew Rutherfurd* *1839:

James Ivory James Francis Ivory (born June 7, 1928) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. For many years, he worked extensively with Indian-born film producer Ismail Merchant, his domestic as well as professional partner, and with screen ...

*1840: Thomas Maitland *1841: Duncan McNeill* *1842: Adam Anderson* *1846: Thomas Maitland *1850: James Moncreiff* *1851:

John Cowan John Cowan (born August 24, 1953) is an American soul music and progressive bluegrass vocalist and bass guitar player. He was the lead vocalist and bass player for the New Grass Revival. Cowan became the band's bassist in 1972 after the departur ...

*1851: George Deas *1852: John Inglis* *1852: Charles Neaves *1853: Robert Handyside *1853: James Craufurd *1855:

Thomas Mackenzie Sir Thomas Mackenzie (10 March 1853 – 14 February 1930) was a Scottish-born New Zealand politician and explorer who briefly served as the 18th prime minister of New Zealand in 1912, and later served as New Zealand High Commissioner in ...

*1855:

Edward Maitland Edward Maitland (27 October 18242 October 1897) was an English humanitarian writer and occultist. Life He was born at Ipswich on 27 October 1824, was the son of Charles David Maitland, perpetual curate of St. James's Chapel, Brighton; he was th ...

*1858: Charles Baillie* *1858: David Mure* *1859:

George Patton George Smith Patton Jr. (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945) was a General (United States), general in the United States Army who commanded the Seventh United States Army in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Mediterranean Theater ...

* *1859:

*1862:

George Young George Young may refer to: Arts and entertainment * George Young (filmmaker), Australian stage manager and film director in the silent era * George Young (rock musician) (1946–2017), Australian musician, songwriter, and record producer * Geor ...

* *1866: Edward Strathearn Gordon* *1867: John Millar *1868:

* *1869: Andrew Rutherfurd-Clark *1874: John Millar *1874:

William Watson William, Willie, Bill or Billy Watson may refer to: Entertainment * William Watson (songwriter) (1794–1840), English concert hall singer and songwriter * William Watson (poet) (1858–1935), English poet * Billy Watson (actor) (1923–2022), A ...

* *1876: John Macdonald* *1880: John Balfour* *1881:

Alexander Asher Alexander Asher (27 January 1834 – 5 August 1905) was a Scottish politician and lawyer, who was elected as Member of Parliament for the Elgin Burghs constituency from 1881 until his death in 1905. He was also Solicitor General for Scotland on ...

*1885: James Robertson* *1886:

*1886: James Robertson* *1888: Moir Tod Stormonth Darling *1890: Sir Charles Pearson* *1891: Andrew Murray* *1892:

*1894: Thomas Shaw* *1895: Andrew Murray* *1896: Charles Dickson* *1903: David Dundas *1905:

Edward Theodore Salvesen The Hon. Edward Theodore Salvesen, Lord Salvesen (20 July 1857 – 23 February 1942) was a Scottish lawyer, politician and judge who rose to be a Senator of the College of Justice. Life Edward Theodore Salvesen was the son of Christian Freder ...

*October 1905: James Avon Clyde* *December 1905: Alexander Ure* *February 1909:

Arthur Dewar Arthur Dewar, Lord Dewar KC (14 March 1860 – 14 June 1917) was a British people, British politician and judge who served as a Liberal Party (UK), Liberal Member of Parliament (United Kingdom), Member of Parliament (MP) for Edinburgh South (U ...

*April 1910: William Hunter *December 1911: Andrew Anderson *October 1913:

Thomas Brash Morison Thomas Brash Morison (21 November 1868 – 28 July 1945) was a Scottish politician and judge. In March 1922 he was created a Senator of the College of Justice with the title of Lord Morison. Life Morison was born in Edinburgh. He studied law ...

* *1920: Charles David Murray* *March 1922 – July 1922: Andrew Constable *July 1922 – November 1922:

* *November 1922: David Fleming *April 1923: Frederick Thomson *February 1924:

John Charles Fenton Sir John Charles Fenton (5 May 1880 – 3 January 1951) was a Scottish lawyer. Biography Fenton was born 5 May 1880, the son of Elizabeth Jack and James Fenton of Edinburgh. He was educated at George Watson's College, at the University of ...

*November 1924: David Fleming *1925:

Alexander Munro MacRobert Alexander Munro MacRobert KC (1873 – 18 October 1930) was a Scottish lawyer and Unionist politician. He was Lord Advocate of Scotland in 1929. Life He was born in 1873 the son of Jean Carmichael and Thomas MacRobert. He was educated at Pa ...

* *1929: Wilfrid Normand* *1929: John Charles Watson *1931: Wilfrid Normand* *1933:

Douglas Jamieson Douglas Jamieson (14 April 1880 – 31 May 1952) was a Scottish Unionist politician and judge. Biography Jamieson was born on 14 April 1880 to Violet and William Jamieson, a merchant. Educated at Cargilfield School, Fettes College, the Unive ...

* *1935:

Thomas Mackay Cooper Thomas Mackay Cooper, 1st Baron Cooper of Culross (24 September 1892 – 15 July 1956) was a Scottish Unionist Party politician, a judge and a historian, who had been appointed Lord Advocate of Scotland. Background and education Cooper was th ...

*1935: Albert Russell *1936: James Reid *1941: Sir David King Murray *1945: Daniel Blades *1947:

John Wheatley John Wheatley (19 May 1869 – 12 May 1930) was a Scottish socialist politician. He was a prominent figure of the Red Clydeside era. Early life and career Wheatley was born to Thomas and Johanna Wheatley in Bonmahon, County Waterford, Ir ...

* *1947: Douglas Johnston *1951: William Rankine Milligan* *1955:

William Grant William Grant may refer to: Politicians *Sir William Grant (Master of the Rolls) (1752–1832), Member of the Parliament, 1790–1812; Master of the Rolls, 1801–1817 *William Grant (Northern Ireland politician) (1883–1949), Unionist M.P. for ...

* *1960:

David Anderson David Anderson may refer to: People In academia or science *David Anderson (academic) (born 1952), American college professor * David Anderson (engineer) (1880–1953), Scottish civil engineer and lawyer * David Anderson, 2nd Viscount Waverley (191 ...

*1964: Norman Wylie* (April to October) *1964: James Graham Leechman *1965:

Henry Wilson Henry Wilson (born Jeremiah Jones Colbath; February 16, 1812 – November 22, 1875) was an American politician who was the 18th vice president of the United States from 1873 until his death in 1875 and a senator from Massachusetts from 1855 to ...

* *1967: Ewan George Francis Stewart *1970: David William Robert Brand *1972: William Stewart *1974:

Lord McCluskey John Herbert McCluskey, Baron McCluskey (12 June 1929 – 20 July 2017) was a Scottish lawyer, judge and politician, who served as Solicitor General for Scotland, the country's junior Law Officer from 1974 to 1979, and as a Senator of the Col ...

*1979:

Nicholas Fairbairn Sir Nicholas Hardwick Fairbairn, (24 December 1933 – 19 February 1995) was a Scottish politician. He was the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Kinross and Western Perthshire from October 1974 to 1983, and then for Perth and Kinro ...

*1982:

Peter Fraser Peter Fraser (; 28 August 1884 – 12 December 1950) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 24th prime minister of New Zealand from 27 March 1940 until 13 December 1949. Considered a major figure in the history of the New Zealand Lab ...

* *1989: Alan Rodger* *1992: Thomas Dawson *1995: Donald Mackay* *1995: Paul Cullen *1997: Colin Boyd* *2000: Neil Davidson *2001:

Elish Angiolini Lady Elish Frances Angiolini (''née'' McPhilomy; born 24 June 1960"Angiolini, Elish Frances" in '' Who's Who'', A & C Black.) is a Scottish lawyer. She was the Lord Advocate of Scotland from 2006 until 2011, having previously been Solicitor G ...

* *2006: John Beckett *2007: Frank Mulholland* *2011: Lesley Thomson *2016: Alison Di Rollo *2021:

:* = ''served later as

Sources

*Most of the above list is taken from Haydn's ''Book of Dignities'', 12th edition (1894, reprinted 1969) and from Oxford Companion to Law, Clarendon Press, 1980.

References

External links

Solicitor General
on the Scottish Government website
Law officers
on the Scottish Parliament website {{authority control Ministerial posts of the Scottish Government Scots law formal titles Lists of government ministers of Scotland Lists of government ministers of the United Kingdom Solicitor General Law Officers of the Crown in the United Kingdom Lists of political office-holders in Scotland