James Wolffe, QC, nominated for post of Lord Advocate

 

The Dean of Faculty, James Wolffe, QC, has been recommended by the First Minister to be the new Lord Advocate.

Subject to the approval of the Scottish Parliament, Mr Wolffe will succeed Frank Mulholland, QC, who stepped down following the recent election.

There will be two new Law Officers, as Alison Di Rollo has been nominated for the office of Solicitor General, replacing Lesley Thomson, QC, who has informed the First Minister that she wishes to pursue new challenges.

The First Minister said: “I am extremely pleased to recommend the appointments of James Wolffe and Alison Di Rollo as Scotland’s senior law officers.

“James has an outstanding legal background and extensive experience at all levels, including the House of Lords, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

“Alison led the work of the ground-breaking National Sexual Crimes Unit (NSCU) for three years, having previously held the role of deputy. Her outstanding leadership in this most sensitive of areas has inspired confidence in all connected to it.”

Mr Wolffe commented: “I thank the First Minister for nominating me to the office of Lord Advocate. If I am appointed, it will be a great privilege to serve Scotland in that role.”

Ms Di Rollo said: “I am both delighted and honoured to be nominated for this role by the first Minister and I am looking forward to working with James in his new role.”

The appointments are made by the Queen on the recommendation of the First Minister, with the agreement of the Scottish Parliament.

The announcement is at http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Law-Officer-appointments-2513.aspx