QC appointed as Law Officer

15 Oct

Lord Stewart of Dirleton, QC

THE new Advocate General for Scotland has been named as Keith Stewart, QC.

Mr Stewart replaces Lord Keen of Elie, QC, as the chief legal adviser to the UK Government on Scots Law. Lord Keen resigned last month after more than five years in the post.

10 Downing Street issued a statement that The Queen had approved the appointment and a life peerage for Mr Stewart. He takes the title Lord Stewart of Dirleton, QC.

He said: "It is a great honour to be one of the UK Government's law officers, and I very much look forward to playing a part in supporting the work of the UK Government."

Called to the Bar in 1993, Lord Stewart was appointed as a QC in 2011. He has practised widely in criminal law, both as defence counsel and, from 2003-2009, as a prosecutor, latterly as Senior Advocate-Depute. Other areas of practice have included contract, defamation and personal injury.