Attorney General and Solicitor General sworn in to their roles as Law Officers today

Ellie Reeves KC MP and Andy Slaughter MP were formally sworn into their positions as Attorney General and Solicitor General at the Royal Courts of Justice today. The ceremony followed their appointments in July 2026, with Reeves also serving as Advocate General for Northern Ireland. Reeves highlighted her commitment to improving access to the legal profession and prioritising efforts to tackle violence against women and girls in her new role.

Andy Slaughter MP was sworn in as Solicitor General, a constitutional role that bridges legal and governmental functions to ensure effective governance. Slaughter previously chaired the Justice Select Committee and expressed his intention to work with Reeves to address systemic challenges within the justice system and restore public confidence in its operations.

The Attorney General serves as the Government’s chief legal advisor and attends Cabinet meetings, while both Law Officers oversee key departments including the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office. Their responsibilities include providing legal advice to government, supervising prosecutions, and performing public interest functions such as reviewing unduly lenient sentences.

The Law Officers also have specific powers, including taking legal action against contempt of court and granting consent to prosecute certain offences. Their roles are designed to uphold the rule of law and maintain public trust in the justice system through direct engagement with legal and governmental processes.