Advocate General for Northern Ireland

The Advocate General for Northern Ireland is the chief legal adviser to the UK Government on Northern Ireland law and the post is held by the Attorney General for England and Wales by virtue of that office. The Advocate General and the Solicitor General for England and Wales have, in Northern Ireland, the same rights of audience as members of the Bar of Northern Ireland.[1]

The Advocate General was created as a separate office upon the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 12 April 2010.[2]

Unlike the Advocate General for Scotland, the position is not supported by a distinct government department. Instead, that support is provided by the civil law and Northern Ireland section within the Attorney General's Office at Westminster.[3]

The chief legal adviser to the Northern Ireland Executive is the Attorney General for Northern Ireland. John Larkin QC was appointed to that position on 24 May 2010 by the First Minister of Northern Ireland and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.[4]

List of Advocates General

Name Portrait Took office Left office Political Party
The Rt Hon The Baroness Scotland of Asthal 12 April 2010 11 May 2010 Labour
The Rt Hon Dominic Grieve MP 12 May 2010 15 July 2014 Conservative
The Rt Hon Jeremy Wright MP 15 July 2014 Incumbent Conservative

See also

External links

(incorporating Advocate General for Northern Ireland)

References

  1. ↑ section 27, Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c.26)
  2. ↑ Attorney General's Office: Statement on Northern Ireland devolution, 12 April 2010
  3. ↑ Attorney General's Office: Structure
  4. ↑ OFMDFM: Appointment of Attorney General announced, 24 May 2010
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