UK gets new attorney, solicitor general

The United Kingdom recently inaugurated two new key legal figures: Ellie Reeves KC MP as the Attorney General and Andy Slaughter MP as the Solicitor General. Their oaths of office took place on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Royal Courts of Justice, marking the culmination of their appointments made in July.

Reeves, who took up her role as Attorney General on July 20, emphasized tackling violence against women and girls as her foremost priority. She expressed her honor at being sworn in as the Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland, and pledged to advocate for the legal profession's inclusivity, irrespective of one's background.

Slaughter, newly appointed Solicitor General on July 21, also highlighted the importance of the role, describing it as a crucial bridge between law and government. He looked forward to collaborating with Reeves to confront the challenges facing the justice system, following his tenure as Chair of the Justice Select Committee where he witnessed firsthand the pressures on the justice system. He aims to work in tandem with Reeves to enhance public confidence in the criminal justice system.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Lady Chief Justice, the Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill. The Attorney General serves as the chief legal adviser to the UK Government and is a member of the Cabinet. These two officials, along with their departments, including the Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Fraud Office, and Government Legal Department, manage public interest functions such as overseeing sentencing procedures and consenting to prosecute certain offenses.