Ms Gillespie will support principal crown counsel Ashley Edwards KC and law officers Dorothy Bain KC as lord advocate and Solicitor General Ruth Charteris KC.

Ms Gillespie has completed a broad range of work for the Crown and specialises in dealing with sexual offending. She has successfully prosecuted many cases involving rape, domestic abuse and child sex abuse in offending from the 1950s to the present day. She is presently leading for the Crown in the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths of three babies in Lanarkshire.

Ms Gillespie replaces Richard Goddard KC who is commencing a period of devilling with the Faculty of Advocates prior to a return to private practice.

Ms Bain said: “I am delighted to appoint Lisa to this important role. It is vital that I am able to call upon Crown Counsel who have a wealth of knowledge, skills, expertise and integrity. Lisa embodies each of these qualities and this appointment gives her the recognition she has earned.

“Richard is stepping down as Crown Counsel and he moves on with great thanks for the significant contribution he has made as an advocate depute, most recently as prosecutor in the Emma Caldwell murder trial.”