PRESS RELEASE : Robert Courts MP appointed as Solicitor General for England and Wales [December 2023]
The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 7 December 2023.
The King has approved the government appointment of Robert Courts MP as Solicitor General for England and Wales.
The Solicitor General supports the Attorney General in her role as the Government’s chief legal adviser. Alongside the Attorney, the Solicitor General oversees the work of the Law Officers’ Departments: the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office, the Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.
The Solicitor General also carries out a number of functions in the public interest—such as considering whether to refer unduly lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal—and taking action when there has been a contempt of court. These functions are carried out independently of the Solicitor’s role as a Government Minister.
Commenting on his appointment, Robert said:
It is a great privilege to have been appointed as Solicitor General for England and Wales.
It is a fascinating time to join the department alongside new leaders at the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service. I look forward to working with the Attorney General, Government lawyers and the Civil Service to play my part in making the law and politics work together at the heart of the UK constitution.
I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Michael Tomlinson KC MP, who was both a brilliant Solicitor General and my fellow pupil at 3 Paper Buildings.
Biography
Robert Courts was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport between 8 September 2020 and 20 September 2022. He was Chair of the Defence Select Committee from 25 October 2023 until his appointment as Solicitor General. He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Witney and West Oxfordshire in October 2016.
Political career
Robert was previously Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Secretary of State for Transport, having served as a PPS in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs prior to that. He served on the International Trade Select Committee and Defence Select Committees, having previously been a member of the Transport, Justice and Backbench Business Committees.
Career outside politics
Before his election to Parliament, Robert was a self-employed barrister at 3 Paper Buildings. His practice focused primarily on personal injury and clinical negligence. He also served as a district councillor.
