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.
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. A Deputy Attorney General briefly held office in 1946, when the post was held by Edmond Warnock MP (21 June – 11 September).
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.Section 1(2) of the Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 and section 10 of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 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 IrelandAttorney General's Office: Statement on Northern Ireland devolution, 12 April 2010 and a vacancy occurred. John Larkin QC became the first politically independent office-holder, taking office on 24 May 2010,OFMDFM: Appointment of Attorney General announced, 24 May 2010 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):
NamePortraitTerm of officePolitical partyPrime Minister (NI)Richard Best MP7 June 19215 November 1925Ulster UnionistSir James CraigAnthony Babington MP5 November 19253 December 1937Ulster UnionistEdward Sullivan Murphy MP3 December 193714 April 1939Ulster UnionistArthur Black MP14 April 193910 November 1941Ulster UnionistJ. M. AndrewsJohn MacDermott MP10 November 19413 November 1944Ulster UnionistSir Basil BrookeWilliam Lowry MP3 November 19446 June 1947Ulster UnionistLancelot Curran MP6 June 19474 November 1949Ulster UnionistEdmond Warnock MP4 November 194914 April 1956Ulster UnionistBrian Maginess MP14 April 195620 March 1964Ulster UnionistTerence O'NeillEdward Warburton Jones MP20 March 19641 March 1968Ulster UnionistBasil Kelly MP11 March 196830 March 1972Ulster UnionistJames Chichester-ClarkBrian Faulkner
Direct rule 1972–2010 Colour key (for political parties):
NamePortraitTerm of officePolitical partyPrime Minister (UK)Sir Peter Rawlinson MP30 March 19724 March 1974ConservativeEdward HeathSamuel Silkin MP7 March 19744 May 1979LabourHarold WilsonJames CallaghanSir Michael Havers MP6 May 197913 June 1987ConservativeMargaret ThatcherSir Patrick Mayhew MP13 June 198710 April 1992ConservativeJohn MajorSir Nicholas Lyell MP10 April 19922 May 1997ConservativeSir John Morris MP6 May 199729 July 1999LabourTony BlairLord Williams of Mostyn29 July 199911 June 2001LabourLord Goldsmith11 June 200127 June 2007LabourBaroness Scotland of Asthal27 June 200712 April 2010LabourGordon Brown
Devolved government 2010–present
Colour key (for political parties):
Name Portrait Term of office Political party First Minister and Deputy First MinisterJohn Larkin QC24 May 201030 Jun 2020None Peter Robinson Martin McGuinness Arlene FosterBrenda King30 June 2020IncumbentNone Michelle O'NeillPaul Givan Michelle O'NeillEmma Little-Pengelly
See also Law Officers of the Crown Advocate General for Northern Ireland Attorney General for England and Wales Department of Justice (Northern Ireland) Executive Office (Northern Ireland)
References
External links Office of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland