The Albanese Government intends to recommend to the Governor‑General the appointment of Dr Ruth Higgins SC as the next Solicitor‑General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Dr Higgins is a highly experienced barrister with over 30 years of legal experience, including close to 10 years as senior counsel.
Dr Higgins is the first woman ever appointed as Solicitor-General of Australia. Her 5-year appointment will commence on 8 June 2026.
The Solicitor‑General is the second law officer of the Commonwealth and the principal legal counsel to the Australian Government.
In addition to representing the Commonwealth in significant matters in court, the Solicitor-General provides advice to the Government on questions of law as they arise, especially on matters relating to the Constitution and public law.
The Government acknowledges the work of the previous Solicitor-General, Dr Stephen Donaghue KC. The Government also thanks Mr Andrew Buckland KC, Chief General Counsel at the Australian Government Solicitor, and Mr Tim Begbie KC, Chief Counsel Dispute Resolution at the Australian Government Solicitor, each of whom has acted in the role in recent months.
Biography
Dr Higgins holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Law) from Balliol College, University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons I) and Diploma of Legal Practice from the University of Glasgow. She was called to the New South Wales Bar in 2006 and appointed senior counsel in 2017. Dr Higgins is the immediate past President of the NSW Bar Association, and served as a director of the Australian Bar Association and the Law Council of Australia. Between 2023 and 2026 she was a part-time member of the Takeovers Panel. She has lectured in law at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University, was a Visiting Scholar at Columbia University, and was elected a Visiting Fellow at each of New College and Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford. Dr Higgins practises nationally in competition law, constitutional law, class actions, energy, media, corporate criminal law, and corporations law.
Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General, Hon Michelle Rowland MP
"I congratulate Dr Higgins on her appointment as Australia's 12th Solicitor-General - the first woman to be appointed to this vitally important position.
"The second law officer of the Commonwealth of Australia plays a significant role in promoting the integrity of the rule of law and trust in Government and public institutions.
"Dr Higgins' experience, ability and acumen will see the Commonwealth well represented in significant legal matters, and I have every confidence in her ability to undertake this important work."
