Stephen O’Rourke QC has been appointed Principal Crown Counsel by the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC.

In announcing a number of changes to the Crown Counsel team, the Lord Advocate said “Stephen is well established at the senior bar with a wealth of experience across criminal law as well as acting for government, commercial and private clients. Stephen joins us from the Faculty of Advocates and I am confident his work on civil liberties, public and administrative law as well as his strong leadership qualities will set him up for success in his new role.”

Stephen will take over the position from Alex Prentice QC who will move to the new position of Senior Trial Counsel and Director of Advocate Depute Training.