Lord Advocate

This article is part of the series POLITICS OF SCOTLAND

Scottish Parliament Scottish Executive

First Minister Presiding Officer Lord Advocate Solicitor General Members of Parliament (MSPs)

Local government

Elections Political Parties

UK Parliament Scotland Office Secretary of State for Scotland

Her Majesty's Advocate, known as the Lord Advocate (Morair Tagraidh in Scots Gaelic), was the chief legal adviser of the United Kingdom Government and the Crown in Scotland for both civil and criminal matters until the passing of the Scotland Act 1998. Under the Scotland Act 1998 he is now an officer of the Scottish Executive and advises the Crown and the Scottish Executive on legal matters which fall within the devolved powers of the Scottish Parliament.

The United Kingdom Government is now advised on Scots law by an Advocate General for Scotland.

Unlike the Attorney General for England and Wales, the Lord Advocate is not head of the Scottish Bar: that position is held by the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates.

In addition to his advisory role, the Lord Advocate along with the Solicitor General for Scotland head up the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service which together constitute the Criminal Prosecution Service in Scotland).

See also Law Officers of the Crown, Criminal Prosecution Service