Barrister Robert Courts KC MP says he is looking forward to working with the attorney general, government lawyers and civil servants to uphold the rule of law after being sworn in as solicitor general today.

Courts was appointed solicitor general last month, after Robert Jenrick MP’s resignation as immigration minister sparked a mini-reshuffle. Courts, MP for Witney and West Oxfordshire since 2016, replaced Michael Tomlinson KC MP, who moved to the Home Office as minister of state (minister for illegal migration).

He said: ‘It is a great honour and privilege to be sworn-in today as solicitor general for England and Wales. The law officers have an important and unique role advising the government and I look forward to working with the attorney general, government lawyers, and the civil service upholding the rule of law at the heart of the UK constitution.’

Before becoming an MP, Courts, who studied law at the University of Sheffield, was a self-employed barrister specialising in personal injury and clinical negligence.

Courts was sworn in at a ceremony attended by lord chancellor Alex Chalk KC MP and attorney general Victoria Prentis KC MP.

Prentis said: ‘Congratulations to Robert Courts MP for being sworn in as solicitor general for England and Wales. I look forward to working with you advising the government, superintending government departments, and upholding the rule of law.’

Robert Courts 2

Attorney general Victoria Prentis KC MP and Robert Courts KC MP

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