{{Short description|Former Lord Advocate; 2016–2021}} {{Other uses|James Wolf (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}} {{Use British English|date=December 2016}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = [[The Right Honourable]] | name = James Wolffe | honorific_suffix = [[King's Counsel|KC]] [[FRSE]] [[FSAScot]] [[Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland|FRIAS]] | image = Lord Advocate James Wolffe (26789821493).jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2016 | office = [[Lord Advocate]] | term_start = 1 June 2016 | term_end = 22 June 2021 | monarch = [[Elizabeth II]] | first_minister = [[Nicola Sturgeon]] | predecessor = [[Frank Mulholland]] [[King's Counsel|KC]] | successor = [[Dorothy Bain]] [[King's Counsel|KC]] | office2 = | term_start2 = | term_end2 = | first_minister2 = | predecessor2 = | successor2 = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|12|20|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Dumfries]], [[Scotland]] | death_date = | death_place = | resting_place = | birth_name = Walter James Wolffe | spouse = [[Lady Wolffe]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.journalonline.co.uk/News/1013461.aspx#.WLMHJ2-GPIU|title = Legal news}}</ref> | party = [[Independent politician|Independent]] | children = 2 sons | alma_mater = [[University of Edinburgh]]<br />[[Balliol College, Oxford]] | occupation = [[Faculty of Advocates|Advocate]] | profession = [[Lawyer]] | 1blankname = {{nowrap|[[Solicitor General for Scotland|Solicitor General]]}} | 1namedata = [[Alison Di Rollo]] [[King's Counsel|KC]] }}
'''Walter James Wolffe''' {{postnominals|GBR|KC|FRSE}} <small>[[FSAScot]]</small> <small>[[Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland|FRIAS]]</small> (born 20 December 1962) is a Scottish [[Faculty of Advocates|advocate]] who served as [[Lord Advocate]] from 2016 to 2021. He previously served as [[Dean of the Faculty of Advocates]] from 2014 to 2016, and [[Dean of the Faculty of Advocates|Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Advocates]] from 2013 to 2014.<ref name="checkdirector.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://www.checkdirector.co.uk/director/walter-wolffe/|title=Walter James Wolffe, former director at Faculty Services Limited, Edinburgh|website=www.checkdirector.co.uk|access-date=2018-02-22}}</ref>
==Early life==
Walter James Wolffe was born on 20 December 1962 in [[Dumfries]] to Alexandra L. Graham and Antony Curtiss Wolffe [[Order of the British Empire|<small>MBE</small>]]. He attended [[Gatehouse of Fleet]] Primary School and then [[Kirkcudbright Academy]].<ref name=":0">{{Who's Who |author=[Anon.] |year=2024 |title=Wolffe, (Walter) James |id=U247296 |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U247296}}</ref><ref name="ednb-eve-news-2014-02-10" /> Wolffe studied at the [[University of Edinburgh]], graduating with an [[Bachelor of Laws|honours degree in law]] and a [[Diploma in Professional Legal Practice|diploma in legal practice]]. He then went on to study at [[Balliol College, Oxford]] to take a [[Bachelor of Civil Law]] degree.<ref name="scotsman-2013-03-25" />
==Legal career==
=== Early career ===
Wolffe trained as a solicitor at a commercial firm in Edinburgh. After qualifying, he worked as Legal Assistant to the [[Lord President of the Court of Session]]. After working for a year at [[Parliament House, Edinburgh|Parliament House]], Wolffe was [[admitted as an advocate]] in 1992. He served as First Standing Junior Counsel to the [[Scottish Government]] from 2002 to 2007. Wolffe [[took silk]] in 2007, earning the [[post nominal]] of QC. He spent ten years practicing in commercial and public law, before serving as full-time prosecutor as [[Advocate Depute]] at the [[High Court of Justiciary]] from 2007 to 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Post |first=Make |date=2015-03-17 |title=James Wolffe QC |url=https://justice.org.uk/james-wolffe-qc/ |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=JUSTICE |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="Administrator">{{Cite web |last=Administrator |title=Walter JAMES Wolffe |url=https://www.advocates.org.uk/advocates/walter-james-wolffe |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=www.advocates.org.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Wolffe has been instructed for cases at all levels, including the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]], the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]] and the [[European Court of Human Rights]]. He has been called to the bar of England & Wales in 2013.<ref name="Administrator"/>
=== Dean of the Faculty of Advocates; 2014 to 2016 ===
Wolffe was elected Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Advocates in February 2013. In February 2014, he was elected [[Dean of the Faculty of Advocates]], replacing [[Richard Keen]].<ref name="advocates-announce-new-dean" /> Wolffe was the winner of an election defeating [[Gordon Jackson (advocate)|Gordon Jackson]] QC, Andrew Smith QC and [[Alan Summers, Lord Summers|Alan Summers]] QC. Wolffe is the first Dean to be elected by an electronic vote. Following his election he responded: "It is a great honour to be elected by the Faculty as its Dean. The people of Scotland have been well served by the independent Bar throughout its existence. I look forward to leading the profession during the next chapter of its history."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alumnus, James Wolffe QC elected Dean of the Faculty of Advocates {{!}} Edinburgh Law School |url=https://www.law.ed.ac.uk/news-events/news/alumnus-james-wolffe-qc-elected-dean-faculty-advocates |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=www.law.ed.ac.uk}}</ref>
== Lord Advocate ==
On 31 May 2016 the [[Scottish Government]] announced that [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] [[Nicola Sturgeon]] had recommended Wolffe to the [[Scottish Parliament]] for appointment as [[Lord Advocate]] by [[Queen Elizabeth II|the Queen]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Law-Officer-appointments-2513.aspx|title=Law Officer appointments|website=Scottish Government News|language=en|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=1 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601124306/http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Law-Officer-appointments-2513.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> His appointment was confirmed by the [[Scottish Parliament]] on 1 June 2016.<ref name="scotsman-law-off-2016-06-01" />
In 2020, Wolffe informed the [[Scottish Government]] of his intention to step down as Scotland's Lord Advocate after the May [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]]. Prior to [[Nicola Sturgeon]]'s re-election as [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]], it was confirmed that both Wolffe and [[Solicitor General for Scotland|Solicitor General]] [[Alison Di Rollo]], would resign as Scotland's law officers.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-05-23|title=Scotland's lord advocate and solicitor general resign|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-57221516|access-date=2021-05-23}}</ref>
== Awards and honours ==
Wolffe had the following awards and honours:<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Wolffe QC {{!}} Brick Court Chambers |url=https://www.brickcourt.co.uk/our-people/profile/james-wolffe-qc |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=www.brickcourt.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rt Hon James Wolffe QC {{!}} Edinburgh Law School |url=https://www.law.ed.ac.uk/people/rt-hon-james-wolffe-qc |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=www.law.ed.ac.uk}}</ref>
* Member of the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]] (16 November 2016);<ref name="16Nov16">{{Cite web |title=Orders for 16 November 2016 |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/privy-council-business-2016-11-16.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120010105/https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/privy-council-business-2016-11-16.pdf |archive-date=20 November 2016 |access-date=21 September 2024 |publisher=Privy Council Office}}</ref> * Queen's Counsel (which became [[King's Counsel]] on 8 September 2022 upon the [[death of Queen Elizabeth II]] and the accession of King [[Charles III]]); * [[Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh|Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh]] (FRSE);<ref>{{cite web |title=Rt Hon James Wolffe FRSE |url=https://rse.org.uk/fellowship/fellow/rt-hon-james-wolffe-16354/ |website=RSE |access-date=21 September 2024}}</ref> * Honorary LLD, [[Glasgow University]]; * [[Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland]] (FSAScot);<ref>{{cite web |title=Public list of Fellows |url=https://fellows.socantscot.org/members-directory/fellows-public-list/?page=19&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bind=p&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bmf=0%3Dp&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bind=x&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bmf=0%3Dx&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bind=n&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bmf=0%3Dn&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bind=h&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bmf=0%3Dh&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bind=m&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bmf=0%3Dm&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bind=f&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bmf=0%3Df&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bind=g&%3B%3B%3B%3B%3Bmf=0%3Dg&%3B%3B%3B%3Bind=g&%3B%3B%3B%3Bmf=0%3Dg&%3B%3B%3Bind=k&%3B%3B%3Bmf=0%3Dk&%3B%3Bind=r&%3B%3Bmf=0%3Dr |website=SocAnt Scot |access-date=21 September 2024}}</ref> * [[European Law Institute|Fellow of the European Law Institute]]; * [[Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland|Honorary Fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland]] (FRIAS);<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Fellows |url=https://www.rias.org.uk/about/honorary-fellows |website=RIAS |access-date=21 September 2024}}</ref> * [[Honorary Bencher]], [[King's Inns, Dublin]]
== Personal life ==
Wolffe married [[Sarah P. L. Wolffe, Lady Wolffe|Sarah Poyntell LaBudde]], in 1987, a [[Senator of the College of Justice]] in the [[Courts of Scotland|Supreme Courts of Scotland]]. They have two sons.<ref name=":0" />
==References== <references>
<ref name="advocates-announce-new-dean">{{cite web | url = http://www.advocates.org.uk/news/news_20140204_newdean.html | title = New Dean of Faculty announced | date = 4 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222165136/http://www.advocates.org.uk/news/news_20140204_newdean.html | archive-date = 22 February 2014 }}</ref>
<ref name="ednb-eve-news-2014-02-10">{{cite news | url = http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/james-voted-dean-of-the-scottish-bar-1-3300555 | title = James voted Dean of the Scottish Bar | work = [[Edinburgh Evening News]] | date = 10 February 2014 | access-date = 1 June 2016 }}</ref>
<ref name="scotsman-2013-03-25">{{cite news | url = http://www.scotsman.com/news/james-wolffe-qc-on-his-new-post-as-vice-dean-of-the-faculty-of-advocates-1-2855420 | title = James Wolffe QC on his new post as vice-dean of the Faculty of Advocates | first = John | last = Forsyth | newspaper = [[The Scotsman]] | date = 25 March 2013 | access-date = 1 June 2016 }}</ref>
<ref name="scotsman-law-off-2016-06-01">{{cite news | url = http://www.scotsman.com/news/holyrood-approves-james-wolffe-and-alison-di-rollo-as-top-legal-officers-1-4143621 | title = Holyrood approves James Wolffe and Alison Di Rollo as top legal officers | newspaper = [[The Scotsman]] | date = 1 June 2016 | access-date = 5 June 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160605104941/http://www.scotsman.com/news/holyrood-approves-james-wolffe-and-alison-di-rollo-as-top-legal-officers-1-4143621 | archive-date = 5 June 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
</references>
== External links ==
*[http://www.axiomadvocates.com/advocate/9/james_wolffe_qc/full-cv Wolffe's professional CV] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222130702/http://www.axiomadvocates.com/advocate/9/james_wolffe_qc/full-cv |date=22 February 2014 }}
{{s-start}} {{s-legal}} {{s-bef|before=[[Frank Mulholland]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Lord Advocate]]|years=2016–2021}} {{s-aft|after=[[Dorothy Bain]]}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wolffe, James}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Deans of the Faculty of Advocates]] [[Category:People from Dumfries]] [[Category:People educated at Kirkcudbright Academy]] [[Category:Alumni of Balliol College, Oxford]] [[Category:Alumni of the University of Edinburgh School of Law]] [[Category:Lord advocates]] [[Category:Scottish King's Counsel]] [[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:1962 births]] [[Category:21st-century Scottish lawyers]] [[Category:20th-century Scottish lawyers]] [[Category:21st-century King's Counsel]] [[Category:Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland]] [[Category:Fellows of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland]] [[Category:Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh]]