Attorney General sworn in

The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis MP was sworn in as Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland at the Royal Courts of Justice today.

Speaking after the ceremony, the Attorney General the Rt Hon Victoria Prentis MP said:

I am honoured to be sworn in as Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland. As the Government’s chief legal adviser, my focus will be upholding the rule of law and strengthening our justice system.

There are important responsibilities that come with this unique role which has been part of our constitution for centuries, and I look forward to working with the Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP to play my part in upholding the rule of law and carrying out the public interest functions of the Attorney General’s Office.

Following the ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Rt Hon Dominic Raab, said:

I congratulate Victoria as she takes on the vital and historic role of Attorney General.

Victoria’s extensive background in law will strengthen the advice provided to government on all legal matters, and I look forward to working together to support our justice system.

The Attorney General is the Government’s chief legal advisor and also attends Cabinet. As well as providing advice to government, the Law Officers (the Attorney General and Solicitor General) oversee the Law Officers’ Departments which include the Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Fraud Office, Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

The Law Officers carry out a number of functions in the public interest, such as considering unduly lenient sentences and taking action when there has been a contempt of court. These functions are carried out independently of their role as government ministers.

The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis was appointed Attorney General on 25 October 2022.