# James Wolffe

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Former Lord Advocate; 2016–2021

For other uses, see [James Wolf (disambiguation)](/source/James_Wolf_(disambiguation)).

The Right Honourable James Wolffe KC FRSE FSAScot FRIAS Official portrait, 2016 Lord Advocate In office 1 June 2016 – 22 June 2021 Monarch Elizabeth II First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Solicitor General Alison Di Rollo KC Preceded by Frank Mulholland KC Succeeded by Dorothy Bain KC Personal details Born Walter James Wolffe (1962-12-20) 20 December 1962 (age 63) Dumfries, Scotland Party Independent Spouse Lady Wolffe[1] Children 2 sons Alma mater University of Edinburgh Balliol College, Oxford Occupation Advocate Profession Lawyer

**Walter James Wolffe** [KC](/source/King's_Counsel) [FRSE](/source/Fellow_of_the_Royal_Society_of_Edinburgh) [FSAScot](/source/FSAScot) [FRIAS](/source/Royal_Incorporation_of_Architects_in_Scotland) (born 20 December 1962) is a Scottish [advocate](/source/Faculty_of_Advocates) who served as [Lord Advocate](/source/Lord_Advocate) from 2016 to 2021. He previously served as [Dean of the Faculty of Advocates](/source/Dean_of_the_Faculty_of_Advocates) from 2014 to 2016, and [Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Advocates](/source/Dean_of_the_Faculty_of_Advocates) from 2013 to 2014.[2]

## Early life

Walter James Wolffe was born on 20 December 1962 in [Dumfries](/source/Dumfries) to Alexandra L. Graham and Antony Curtiss Wolffe [MBE](/source/Order_of_the_British_Empire). He attended [Gatehouse of Fleet](/source/Gatehouse_of_Fleet) Primary School and then [Kirkcudbright Academy](/source/Kirkcudbright_Academy).[3][4] Wolffe studied at the [University of Edinburgh](/source/University_of_Edinburgh), graduating with an [honours degree in law](/source/Bachelor_of_Laws) and a [diploma in legal practice](/source/Diploma_in_Professional_Legal_Practice). He then went on to study at [Balliol College, Oxford](/source/Balliol_College%2C_Oxford) to take a [Bachelor of Civil Law](/source/Bachelor_of_Civil_Law) degree.[5]

## 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](/source/Lord_President_of_the_Court_of_Session). After working for a year at [Parliament House](/source/Parliament_House%2C_Edinburgh), Wolffe was [admitted as an advocate](/source/Admitted_as_an_advocate) in 1992. He served as First Standing Junior Counsel to the [Scottish Government](/source/Scottish_Government) from 2002 to 2007. Wolffe [took silk](/source/Took_silk) in 2007, earning the [post nominal](/source/Post_nominal) of QC. He spent ten years practicing in commercial and public law, before serving as full-time prosecutor as [Advocate Depute](/source/Advocate_Depute) at the [High Court of Justiciary](/source/High_Court_of_Justiciary) from 2007 to 2010.[6][7]

Wolffe has been instructed for cases at all levels, including the [Supreme Court of the United Kingdom](/source/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_Kingdom), the [Judicial Committee of the Privy Council](/source/Judicial_Committee_of_the_Privy_Council) and the [European Court of Human Rights](/source/European_Court_of_Human_Rights). He has been called to the bar of England & Wales in 2013.[7]

### 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](/source/Dean_of_the_Faculty_of_Advocates), replacing [Richard Keen](/source/Richard_Keen).[8] Wolffe was the winner of an election defeating [Gordon Jackson](/source/Gordon_Jackson_(advocate)) QC, Andrew Smith QC and [Alan Summers](/source/Alan_Summers%2C_Lord_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."[9]

## Lord Advocate

On 31 May 2016 the [Scottish Government](/source/Scottish_Government) announced that [First Minister](/source/First_Minister_of_Scotland) [Nicola Sturgeon](/source/Nicola_Sturgeon) had recommended Wolffe to the [Scottish Parliament](/source/Scottish_Parliament) for appointment as [Lord Advocate](/source/Lord_Advocate) by [the Queen](/source/Queen_Elizabeth_II).[10] His appointment was confirmed by the [Scottish Parliament](/source/Scottish_Parliament) on 1 June 2016.[11]

In 2020, Wolffe informed the [Scottish Government](/source/Scottish_Government) of his intention to step down as Scotland's Lord Advocate after the May [2021 Scottish Parliament election](/source/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election). Prior to [Nicola Sturgeon](/source/Nicola_Sturgeon)'s re-election as [First Minister](/source/First_Minister_of_Scotland), it was confirmed that both Wolffe and [Solicitor General](/source/Solicitor_General_for_Scotland) [Alison Di Rollo](/source/Alison_Di_Rollo), would resign as Scotland's law officers.[12]

## Awards and honours

Wolffe had the following awards and honours:[13][14]

- Member of the [Privy Council](/source/Privy_Council_(United_Kingdom)) (16 November 2016);[15]

- Queen's Counsel (which became [King's Counsel](/source/King's_Counsel) on 8 September 2022 upon the [death of Queen Elizabeth II](/source/Death_of_Queen_Elizabeth_II) and the accession of King [Charles III](/source/Charles_III));

- [Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh](/source/Fellows_of_the_Royal_Society_of_Edinburgh) (FRSE);[16]

- Honorary LLD, [Glasgow University](/source/Glasgow_University);

- [Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland](/source/Fellow_of_the_Society_of_Antiquaries_of_Scotland) (FSAScot);[17]

- [Fellow of the European Law Institute](/source/European_Law_Institute);

- [Honorary Fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland](/source/Royal_Incorporation_of_Architects_in_Scotland) (FRIAS);[18]

- [Honorary Bencher](/source/Honorary_Bencher), [King's Inns, Dublin](/source/King's_Inns%2C_Dublin)

## Personal life

Wolffe married [Sarah Poyntell LaBudde](/source/Sarah_P._L._Wolffe%2C_Lady_Wolffe), in 1987, a [Senator of the College of Justice](/source/Senator_of_the_College_of_Justice) in the [Supreme Courts of Scotland](/source/Courts_of_Scotland). They have two sons.[3]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Legal news"](http://www.journalonline.co.uk/News/1013461.aspx#.WLMHJ2-GPIU).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-checkdirector.co.uk_2-0)** ["Walter James Wolffe, former director at Faculty Services Limited, Edinburgh"](http://www.checkdirector.co.uk/director/walter-wolffe/). *www.checkdirector.co.uk*. Retrieved 22 February 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) [Anon.] (2024). ["Wolffe, (Walter) James"](https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U247296). *[Who's Who](/source/Who's_Who_(UK))*. A & C Black. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U247296](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fww%2F9780199540884.013.U247296). (Subscription or [UK public library membership](https://www.ukwhoswho.com/page/subscribe#public) required.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ednb-eve-news-2014-02-10_4-0)** ["James voted Dean of the Scottish Bar"](http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/james-voted-dean-of-the-scottish-bar-1-3300555). *[Edinburgh Evening News](/source/Edinburgh_Evening_News)*. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-scotsman-2013-03-25_5-0)** Forsyth, John (25 March 2013). ["James Wolffe QC on his new post as vice-dean of the Faculty of Advocates"](http://www.scotsman.com/news/james-wolffe-qc-on-his-new-post-as-vice-dean-of-the-faculty-of-advocates-1-2855420). *[The Scotsman](/source/The_Scotsman)*. Retrieved 1 June 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Post, Make (17 March 2015). ["James Wolffe QC"](https://justice.org.uk/james-wolffe-qc/). *JUSTICE*. Retrieved 27 July 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Administrator_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Administrator_7-1) Administrator. ["Walter JAMES Wolffe"](https://www.advocates.org.uk/advocates/walter-james-wolffe). *www.advocates.org.uk*. Retrieved 27 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-advocates-announce-new-dean_8-0)** ["New Dean of Faculty announced"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140222165136/http://www.advocates.org.uk/news/news_20140204_newdean.html). 4 February 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.advocates.org.uk/news/news_20140204_newdean.html) on 22 February 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Alumnus, James Wolffe QC elected Dean of the Faculty of Advocates | Edinburgh Law School"](https://www.law.ed.ac.uk/news-events/news/alumnus-james-wolffe-qc-elected-dean-faculty-advocates). *www.law.ed.ac.uk*. Retrieved 27 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Law Officer appointments"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160601124306/http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Law-Officer-appointments-2513.aspx). *Scottish Government News*. Archived from [the original](http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Law-Officer-appointments-2513.aspx) on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-scotsman-law-off-2016-06-01_11-0)** ["Holyrood approves James Wolffe and Alison Di Rollo as top legal officers"](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). *[The Scotsman](/source/The_Scotsman)*. 1 June 2016. Archived from [the original](http://www.scotsman.com/news/holyrood-approves-james-wolffe-and-alison-di-rollo-as-top-legal-officers-1-4143621) on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Scotland's lord advocate and solicitor general resign"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-57221516). *BBC News*. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["James Wolffe QC | Brick Court Chambers"](https://www.brickcourt.co.uk/our-people/profile/james-wolffe-qc). *www.brickcourt.co.uk*. Retrieved 27 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Rt Hon James Wolffe QC | Edinburgh Law School"](https://www.law.ed.ac.uk/people/rt-hon-james-wolffe-qc). *www.law.ed.ac.uk*. Retrieved 27 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16Nov16_15-0)** ["Orders for 16 November 2016"](https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/privy-council-business-2016-11-16.pdf) (PDF). Privy Council Office. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161120010105/https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/privy-council-business-2016-11-16.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 20 November 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Rt Hon James Wolffe FRSE"](https://rse.org.uk/fellowship/fellow/rt-hon-james-wolffe-16354/). *RSE*. Retrieved 21 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Public list of Fellows"](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). *SocAnt Scot*. Retrieved 21 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Honorary Fellows"](https://www.rias.org.uk/about/honorary-fellows). *RIAS*. Retrieved 21 September 2024.

## External links

- [Wolffe's professional CV](http://www.axiomadvocates.com/advocate/9/james_wolffe_qc/full-cv) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140222130702/http://www.axiomadvocates.com/advocate/9/james_wolffe_qc/full-cv) 22 February 2014 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

Legal offices Preceded by Frank Mulholland Lord Advocate 2016–2021 Succeeded by Dorothy Bain

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [James Wolffe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wolffe) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wolffe?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.