Definition

Noun: 1. A high-ranking legal officer: A solicitor general is a senior law officer in a government's legal department, typically serving as the primary advocate for the government before the highest courts. 2. A deputy to an attorney general: Specifically, a solicitor general is a law officer appointed to assist an attorney general, often responsible for representing the government in appellate court cases.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Solicitor General presented the federal government's argument before the Supreme Court.
  • She was appointed to the position of Solicitor General after a distinguished career in appellate law.
  • The office of the Solicitor General decides which cases the government will appeal.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often capitalized ("Solicitor General") when referring to a specific official title within a government, such as the Solicitor General of the United States or the Solicitor General of England and Wales.
• In some jurisdictions, the Solicitor General may act as the Attorney General in the latter's absence.

Variants and Related Words

• Solicitor-General (noun): A hyphenated variant of the same term.
• Attorney General (noun): The principal legal officer who represents a nation or state in legal proceedings and advises the government. The Solicitor General is typically the second-ranking officer in this department.
• Advocate General (noun): A similar role in some other legal systems (e.g., in the Court of Justice of the European Union).

Synonyms

• Government advocate
• Chief appellate lawyer
• Deputy attorney general (in some contexts)

Related Phrases

• Office of the Solicitor General: The department or staff supporting the Solicitor General.
  • The brief was prepared by the Office of the Solicitor General.

Noun

1. a law officer appointed to assist an attorney general