Elish Angiolini

Elish Frances Angiolini QC (Scot.) (born 24 June 1960 as Elish Frances McPhilomy)"Angiolini, Elish Frances" in "Who's Who", A & C Black.] is a Scottish lawyer who has served in the political role of Lord Advocate for Scotland since 2006. She was appointed to the post of Solicitor General for Scotland in November 2001 becoming the first woman, the first Procurator Fiscal, and the first solicitor to hold that post.

On 5 October 2006 the Scottish Parliament ratified her appointment as the first female Lord Advocate. She was sworn in at the Court of Session in Edinburgh a week later. Her position was formally recognised when the Queen signed a Royal Warrant [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6043474.stm "Scotland's Lord Advocate Sworn In"] , BBC News website, October 12 2006. URL retrieved October 12 2006] .

Background

Angiolini grew up in Govan, in Glasgow, and studied Law at the University of Strathclyde Law School, graduating in 1982. Immediately after graduation she joined the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and, following her traineeship, spent 8 years as a Depute Procurator Fiscal in Airdrie, prosecuting in Airdrie Sheriff Court.

Crown office career

In 1992, she was seconded to the Crown Office where she worked in the Lord Advocate’s Secretariat. During her secondment, she developed an interest in improving the support offered to vulnerable victims and witnesses, and in particular to children. She was then appointed Senior Depute Procurator Fiscal at Glasgow taking operational responsibility for Sheriff and Jury prosecutions. In 1995, she was appointed Assistant Procurator Fiscal at Glasgow.

In 1997, Angiolini returned to the Crown office as Head of Policy, with responsibility for the development of policy across all functions of the Department. In particular, she helped the department prepare for devolution and was involved in the preparation of the Scotland Act 1998. At the same time, Angiolini was responsible for the department’s preparations for the introduction of the Human Rights Act 1998.

She was then appointed Regional Procurator Fiscal, Grampian, Highland and Islands on 27 July 2000, based in Aberdeen - the first woman to hold such a post.

Lord Advocate

On 4 October 2006 Lord Boyd resigned as Lord Advocate and his responsibilities were assumed, in the interim, by Angiolini. First Minister Jack McConnell nominated her to take over from Boyd permanently [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/5408286.stm "Angiolini choice for top law post"] BBC News website October 5 2006] .

Her nomination was approved by Parliament the same afternoon: ninety-nine members voting in favour and none against with fifteen abstentions [ [http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-06/sor1005-02.htm#Col28335 "The Scottish Parliament Official Report"] , The Scottish Parliament, October 5 2006. URL retrieved October 12 2006] .

Angiolini was sworn in as Lord Advocate at the Court of Session on 12 October 2006. One month later she became a member of the Privy Council [ [http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page10372.asp "Privy Council Appointment of Elish Angiolini"] , 10 Downing Street website, 7 November 2006. URL retrieved 20 December 2006] .

After the 2007 election there was speculation that the new SNP administration might replace Angiolini. However Alex Salmond, the First Minister decided that she should stay in post, but would lose her seat in Cabinet. The SNP had committed to making this change as part of their pre-election campaign. She would still have the right to address Cabinet and attend meetings of the Scottish Parliament. Her reappointment was confirmed by Parliament on 24 May 2007 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6686885.stm "Law officer Angiolini reappointed"] , BBC News Scotland website, 24 May 2007. URL retrieved 26 May 2007] .

She and husband Domenico Angiolini have two children. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/oct/06/uk.scotland1 "Scotland's first woman lord advocate symbolises the country's aspirations"] , "The Guardian" October 6 2006]

References

See also

* Hans Köchler's Lockerbie trial observer mission
* List of Scottish Executive Ministerial Teams

External links

* [http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/govtmay307/14944/Scottish-Cabinet/lordadvocate Lord Advocate webpage]
* [http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/people/famousfirst2737.html Elish Angiolini profile] , Gazetteer for Scotland
* [http://www.journalonline.co.uk/article/1000046.aspx "Interview with new Solicitor General Elish Angiolini"] , Law Society of Scotland online journal, January 2002