ELLIE REEVES, ANDY SLAUGHTER SWORN IN AS UK’S NEW SENIOR LAW OFFICERS
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The United Kingdom has sworn in Ellie Reeves KC MP as Attorney General and Andy Slaughter MP as Solicitor General at a ceremony held at the Royal Courts of Justice.
The two senior Law Officers formally assumed their positions on Thursday, October 1, 2026, following their appointments in July, according to a statement issued by the UK Attorney General’s Office.
The Rt Hon Alex Norris MP was also sworn in as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.
Reeves, who was appointed Attorney General on July 20, said tackling violence against women and girls remained her “top priority.”
She described her appointment as an honour and said her experience as a lawyer and government official had reinforced the importance of ensuring that the legal profession remained accessible to people from all backgrounds.
“It is an honour to be sworn in as Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland,” Reeves said.
She added that she would build on the work she began as Solicitor General, particularly in tackling violence against women and girls, while working with Slaughter to uphold the rule of law and strengthen public confidence in the criminal justice system.
Slaughter, who was appointed Solicitor General on July 21, said he was looking forward to working with Reeves to address the challenges confronting the justice system.
He described the position as an important constitutional role that connects law and government in promoting good governance.
“As Chair of the Justice Select Committee, I saw first-hand the pressures facing our justice system,” Slaughter said, adding that he would work with the Attorney General to address those challenges and ensure the justice system retained public confidence.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the Lady Chief Justice, the Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill.
The Attorney General serves as the UK Government’s chief legal adviser and attends Cabinet meetings. Together with the Solicitor General, the Law Officers oversee the Law Officers’ Departments, including the Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Fraud Office, Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.
They also perform several public interest functions, including referring unduly lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal, taking legal action in cases of contempt of court and granting consent for the prosecution of certain offences.
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