Solicitor General for Scotland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Solicitor General for Scotland |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service | |
| Appointer | Monarch on the advice of the First Minister |
| Salary | £115,700 per annum (2023) |
| Website | Scottish Government | Solicitor General |
The Solicitor General for Scotland (called Scottish Gaelic: Àrd-neach-lagha a' Chrùin an Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is a very important legal job in Scotland. This person is one of the main legal advisors to the Scottish Government. They work closely with another important legal figure called the Lord Advocate.
Contents
What Does the Solicitor General Do?
The Solicitor General helps the Scottish Government understand and follow Scots Law. This is the legal system used in Scotland. They make sure the government's actions are legal and fair.
They also help run the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. This service is in charge of prosecuting crimes in Scotland. This means they decide if someone who is accused of a crime should go to court.
A Bit of History
Before 1999, the Solicitor General for Scotland advised the government for the whole United Kingdom. But then, the Scottish Parliament was created. This meant Scotland got its own government, called the Scottish Executive (now the Scottish Government).
Since 1999, the Solicitor General mainly advises the Scottish Government. The British Government now gets advice on Scots Law from a different person, called the Advocate General for Scotland.
Who is the Current Solicitor General?
The person holding this job right now is Ruth Charteris KC. She became the Solicitor General in June 2021. She works as the deputy to the Lord Advocate, who is Dorothy Bain KC.
It's a special moment in history because this is the first time that both of these top legal jobs in Scotland are held by women!
Images for kids
-
The official crest of the Kingdom of Scotland.
