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 a member 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 office is one of the Great Offices of State in Scotland.
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 Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) which together constitute the Criminal Prosecution Service in Scotland.
Lord Advocates
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See also
Law Officers of the Crown
