The United Kingdom has appointed Ellie Reeves KC MP as Attorney General and Andy Slaughter MP as Solicitor General. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Reeves and Slaughter were appointed in July 2026. The Rt Hon Alex Norris MP was also sworn in as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice during the ceremony.
Ellie Reeves, the newly appointed Attorney General, has emphasized that tackling violence against women and girls remains her top priority. She expressed her honor in being sworn in as Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland. Reeves highlighted the importance of making the legal profession open to everyone, regardless of their background.
Andy Slaughter, the new Solicitor General, looks forward to working with Reeves to address challenges facing the justice system. He described his new role as a privilege, bridging law and government to ensure good governance. Slaughter previously served as Chair of the Justice Select Committee, where he witnessed firsthand the pressures facing the justice system.
The ceremony was attended by the Lady Chief Justice, the Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill. As the UK Government's chief legal adviser, the Attorney General attends Cabinet meetings. The Law Officers, comprising the Attorney General and Solicitor General, superintend the Law Officers' Departments, including the Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office.
The Law Officers carry out public interest functions, including referring sentences to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. They also take legal action against people in contempt of court and provide consent to prosecute offences. Reeves and Slaughter aim to uphold the rule of law and strengthen confidence in the criminal justice system.
The appointments of Reeves and Slaughter follow their designations in July 2026. Reeves was appointed Attorney General on July 20, while Slaughter was appointed Solicitor General on July 21. The swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of their terms in these senior roles within the UK's justice system.
The UK Attorney General's Office and the UK Home Office published statements confirming the appointments and the swearing-in ceremony. The new Attorney General and Solicitor General are expected to play crucial roles in shaping the UK's legal landscape and addressing key challenges within the justice system.
Key points
- The United Kingdom has sworn in Ellie Reeves KC MP as Attorney General and Andy Slaughter MP as Solicitor General.
- Tackling violence against women and girls remains a top priority for the new Attorney General.
- The new Law Officers aim to uphold the rule of law and strengthen confidence in the criminal justice system.
