Dorothy Bain QC to be next Lord Advocate

Dorothy Bain QC is set to become the new Lord Advocate after she was confirmed as Nicola Sturgeon’s choice for the role.

The First Minister has lodged a motion at Holyrood to recommend Ms Bain to replace James Wolffe QC as Scotland's top law officer – while Ruth Charteris QC is to become the new Solicitor General, replacing Alison Di Rollo QC.

If successfully backed by MSPs, the appointments will mark the first time both posts have been held by women at the same time. The appointments will be made by the Queen on the recommendation of the First Minister.

Ms Bain has extensive experience in criminal and civil law and has worked at all levels of the legal system. In 2007, she led the prosecution case against Peter Tobin over the murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk. A trial at the High Court in Edinburgh ended with Tobin's conviction and his first life sentence.