4 weeks ago
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PA Media
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain has been in post since 2021
Scotland's top law officer is stepping down after five years as head of the country's prosecution service.
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC leads the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and also acts as chief legal adviser to the Scottish government.
Opposition politicians called for an end to the lord advocate's dual role but SNP ministers said they had no plans to make changes.
Bain's departure was expected and follows a recent pattern of lord advocates leaving office after five years in office.
The Scottish government said that Bain had indicated to the first minister that she "intends to leave office".
The first minister is currently in the process of considering ministerial appointments, including the lord advocate, following last week's Holyrood election.
Bain was appointed lord advocate in June 2021 after she was nominated for the post by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon.
She introduced changes to strengthen the prosecution of serious crimes by allowing victims' statements to carry more weight as evidence and improved support for victims.
She also oversaw the diverting of some offenders, such as in drug cases, towards treatment instead of prosecution.
Bain served as an advocate depute in the Crown Office from 2002 to 2011, securing the first murder conviction against serial killer Peter Tobin during that time.
In 2009 she was appointed the principal advocate depute, becoming the first woman to be appointed to this post.
A Scottish government spokesperson said: "A new lord advocate will be appointed as part of the process of the formation of the new government.
"The first minister has extended his thanks to the lord advocate for her dedication and public service."
