Lord Keen of Elie QC sworn in as Advocate General for Scotland

The Rt Hon the Lord Keen of Elie QC has been sworn in as Advocate General for Scotland at ceremonies in Parliament House.

The former Dean of the Faculty of Advocates presented his Warrant of Appointment, first to a Bench of 14 Court of Session judges led by Lord Carloway, the Lord Justice-Clerk, in the First Division courtroom, and then to three High Court judges, again chaired by Lord Carloway, in Court Three.

Lord Carloway administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Official Oath and, after Lord Keen had signed the official parchment, invited the Advocate General to take his seat at the table within the Bar of the Court, joining the Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland QC, and the Solicitor General for Scotland, Lesley Thomson QC.

Lord Carloway said: “May I be the first on behalf of the Bench and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service to congratulate you on your appointment as Advocate General for Scotland.

“You have had a distinguished career at the bar, especially during your years as Dean of Faculty…We look forward to your appearances before us in your new capacity.”

Richard Keen was appointed Advocate General for Scotland, chief legal adviser to the UK government on Scots Law, following May’s general election, and was created a life peer, Baron Keen of Elie, last week.

Admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1980, Lord Keen became treasurer in 2006, and was elected Dean in 2007, holding the position until 2014 when he stepped down to become chairman of the Scottish Conservative Party.

He succeeds Lord Wallace of Tankerness as Advocate General for Scotland.