Attorney General for Northern Ireland

The Attorney General for Northern Ireland is the chief legal adviser to the Northern Ireland Executive for both civil and criminal matters that fall within the devolved powers of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Attorney General for Northern Ireland is also responsible for appointing the director and deputy director of the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland.^[1]

History edit

The original post was formed in 1921 with the establishment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland and was always held by an Ulster Unionist Party MP.^[2] A Deputy Attorney General briefly held office in 1946, when the post was held by Edmond Warnock MP (21 June – 11 September).^[3]

The Attorney General for England and Wales performed the role of Attorney General for Northern Ireland after the prorogation of the Parliament of Northern Ireland in 1972.^[4] These office-holders were always United Kingdom Government Ministers.

Justice powers were again devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 12 April 2010, at which point the Attorney General for England and Wales ceased to hold office as Attorney General of Northern Ireland. She instead became Advocate General for Northern Ireland^[5] and a vacancy occurred. John Larkin QC became the first politically independent office-holder, taking office on 24 May 2010,^[6] when he was appointed by First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

The role and powers of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland are provided in the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002. The Attorney General is appointed for a term of not more than five years jointly by the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. The Attorney General is permitted to participate in the proceedings of the Assembly, but not to vote.

Colour key (for political parties):
Ulster Unionist

Colour key (for political parties):
Conservative Labour

	Term of office		Political party
Sir Peter Rawlinson MP	30 March 1972	4 March 1974	Conservative	Edward Heath
Samuel Silkin MP	7 March 1974	4 May 1979	Labour	Harold Wilson
Samuel Silkin MP	7 March 1974	4 May 1979	Labour	James Callaghan
Sir Michael Havers MP	6 May 1979	13 June 1987	Conservative	Margaret Thatcher
Sir Patrick Mayhew MP	13 June 1987	10 April 1992	Conservative	Margaret Thatcher
Sir Patrick Mayhew MP	13 June 1987	10 April 1992	Conservative	John Major
Sir Nicholas Lyell MP	10 April 1992	2 May 1997	Conservative	John Major
Sir John Morris MP	6 May 1997	29 July 1999	Labour	Tony Blair
The Lord Williams of Mostyn	29 July 1999	11 June 2001	Labour
The Lord Goldsmith	11 June 2001	27 June 2007	Labour
The Baroness Scotland of Asthal	27 June 2007	12 April 2010	Labour	Gordon Brown

Colour key (for political parties):
None Democratic Unionist Party Sinn Féin

	Term of office		Political party
John Larkin QC	24 May 2010	30 Jun 2020	None	Peter Robinson	Martin McGuinness
John Larkin QC	24 May 2010	30 Jun 2020	None	Arlene Foster	Martin McGuinness
Brenda King	30 Jun 2020	Incumbent	None
				Arlene Foster	Michelle O'Neill
				Paul Givan	Michelle O'Neill
				Michelle O'Neill	Emma Little-Pengelly

^ "About Us". Attorney General for Northern Ireland. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
^ "The Government of Northern Ireland: Attorney General". Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
^ "The Government of Northern Ireland: Deputy Attorney General". Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
^ Section 1(2) of the Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 and section 10 of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973
^ Attorney General's Office: Statement on Northern Ireland devolution, 12 April 2010 Archived 5 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
^ OFMDFM: Appointment of Attorney General announced, 24 May 2010 Archived 24 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine