Attorney General for Northern Ireland

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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]

Contents

History

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.

Office-holders

Devolved government 1921–1972

Colour key (for political parties):
   Ulster Unionist

NamePortraitTerm of officePolitical party Prime Minister (NI)
Richard Best MP7 June 19215 November 1925 Ulster Unionist Sir James Craig
Anthony Babington MP5 November 19253 December 1937Ulster Unionist
Edward Sullivan Murphy MP3 December 193714 April 1939Ulster Unionist
Arthur Black MP14 April 193910 November 1941Ulster Unionist
J. M. Andrews
John MacDermott MP10 November 19413 November 1944Ulster Unionist
Sir Basil Brooke
William Lowry MP3 November 19446 June 1947Ulster Unionist
Lancelot Curran MP6 June 19474 November 1949Ulster Unionist
Edmond Warnock MP4 November 194914 April 1956Ulster Unionist
Brian Maginess MP14 April 195620 March 1964Ulster Unionist
Terence O'Neill
Edward Warburton Jones MP20 March 19641 March 1968Ulster Unionist
Basil Kelly MP11 March 196830 March 1972Ulster Unionist
James Chichester-Clark
Brian Faulkner

Direct rule 1972–2010

Colour key (for political parties):
   Conservative    Labour

NamePortraitTerm of officePolitical party Prime Minister (UK)
Sir Peter Rawlinson MP30 March 19724 March 1974 Conservative Edward Heath
Samuel Silkin MP7 March 19744 May 1979 Labour Harold Wilson
James Callaghan
Sir Michael Havers MP6 May 197913 June 1987 Conservative Margaret Thatcher
Sir Patrick Mayhew MP13 June 198710 April 1992Conservative
John Major
Sir Nicholas Lyell MP10 April 19922 May 1997Conservative
Sir John Morris MP Lord Morris.jpg 6 May 199729 July 1999 Labour Tony Blair
Lord Williams of Mostyn 29 July 199911 June 2001Labour
Lord Goldsmith Peter Goldsmith Crop.jpg 11 June 200127 June 2007Labour
Baroness Scotland of Asthal PatriciaScotland2a.jpg 27 June 200712 April 2010Labour Gordon Brown

Devolved government 2010–present

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

NamePortraitTerm of officePolitical party First Minister and Deputy First Minister
John Larkin QC John F Larkin.jpg 24 May 201030 Jun 2020None Peter Robinson Martin McGuinness
Arlene Foster Martin McGuinness
Brenda King Brenda King 2020.jpg 30 Jun 2020IncumbentNoneArlene FosterMichelle O'Neill
Paul Givan Michelle O'Neill
Michelle O'Neill Emma Little-Pengelly

See also

References

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