Dr Ruth Higgins SC will become the first female Solicitor‑General of Australia with her appointment announced by the Federal Government yesterday.
Her five-year appointment will start on 8 June 2026.
Dr Higgins is a barrister with more than 30 years of legal experience, including almost 10 years as Senior Counsel, and practises nationally in competition and constitutional law, class actions, energy, media, corporate criminal and corporations law.
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.
Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland congratulated Dr Higgins on her appointment as Australia’s 12th Solicitor-General and as “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,” she said.
“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.”
The Solicitor‑General is the principal legal counsel to the Australian Government.
As well as representing the Commonwealth in significant court matters, 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 Federal Government acknowledged the work of the previous Solicitor-General, Dr Stephen Donaghue KC.
Share this article