What is a Law Officer?
The Law Officers for Scotland are:
- the Lord Advocate (the principal legal adviser and chief public prosecutor)
- the Solicitor General (the Lord Advocate’s deputy)
The Law Officers do not have to be MSPs. They are part of the Scottish Government and are appointed by the First Minister. Like other ministers, they can sit in the Debating Chamber and answer questions from MSPs. They cannot vote.
Lord Advocate
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Postal address
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
25 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LA
Register of interests
Law Officers must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement after their appointment as a Law Officer has been agreed by Parliament. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Here is the register for the Lord Advocate. The date of their initial statement was 15 July 2021.
Information on the exact nature of the requirement under each category can be found in the Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Act 2006.
Remuneration and related undertaking
Until 18 July 2021 I was a self-employed Advocate (of Advocate’s Library, Parliament House, Edinburgh, EH1 1RF). I worked 55 hours per week on average and received remuneration of between £250,001 and £255,000 per annum. On appointment as Lord Advocate, I expected to receive some outstanding fees for work completed prior to my appointment. During tax year 2021-22, I received remuneration of between £205,001 and £210,000 in outstanding fees for work undertaken as an Advocate prior to my appointment as Lord Advocate. I further expect to receive outstanding fees of between £210,001 and £215,000 (including VAT) for work undertaken prior to my appointment as Lord Advocate. [Amended interest 24 February 2023].
Gifts
No registrable interests
Overseas visits
No registrable interests
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
No registrable interests
Solicitor General
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Postal address
Solicitor General
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Register of interests
Law Officers must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement after their appointment as a Law Officer has been agreed by Parliament. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Here is the register for the Solicitor General. The date of their initial statement was 8 July 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
Until 16 June 2021 I was a trial Advocate Depute for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal of 25 Chambers Street Edinburgh EH1 1LA. My commitment was for 220 days per year for which the remuneration was between £95,001 and £100,000 per annum.
In November 2021 I received remuneration of between £3,001 and £5,000 in respect of work I carried out as Junior Counsel between 2018 and 2020. I received this income on the basis of being a sole trader. The income was in respect of fees I had rendered in respect of work carried out in respect of a personal injuries action which has now settled. [Registered 23 December 2021]
Gifts
No registrable interests
Overseas visits
No registrable interests
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
No registrable interests