Select Committee · Scottish Affairs Committee

The dual role of The Lord Advocate

Status: Closed Opened: 9 Sep 2026 Closed: 16 Oct 2026
Inquiry scopeThe Lord Advocate and her deputy the Solicitor General for Scotland each assume a “dual role” being both senior government legal advisers, and senior public prosecutors. There is a long-standing and ongoing political and constitutional debate within Scotland about whether the dual role should be split to better mitigate actual and/or perceived conflicts of interest between the two functions. This inquiry will appraise the case for and against splitting the dual role, and exploring different options for reform. Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry.