Stephen O’Rourke QC takes up his role as Principal Crown Counsel today. He now heads the Advocate Depute team of more than 60 High Court prosecutors in Scotland.
His appointment means his seniority in Scotland is immediately below that of the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC and the Solicitor General Ruth Charteris QC.
Stephen remains as Keeper of the Advocates' Library, having been elected to that office by Faculty of Advocates members in February 2021. He also continues as Senior Counsel to the Lord Advocate in the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
He has stepped down from Legal Chair of the Parole Board, a post he filled for four years from 2017 until 2021.