solicitor general

noun

, plural solicitors general.

1. a law officer who maintains the rights of the state in suits affecting the public interest, next in rank to the attorney general.
2. the chief legal officer in some states.
3. (initial capital letters) the law officer of the U.S. government next below the Attorney General, having charge of appeals, as to the Supreme Court.

Solicitor General

noun

1. (in Britain) the law officer of the Crown ranking next to the Attorney General (in Scotland to the Lord Advocate) and acting as his assistant
2. (in New Zealand) the government's chief lawyer: head of the Crown Law Office and prosecutor for the Crown

Word History and Origins

Origin of solicitor general¹

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

The country's solicitor general, Jorge Messias, condemned what he said was a deliberate attack and vowed a full investigation into the blasts would be launched.

From BBC

For next 40 years, he worked there, except for a four-year stint as U.S. solicitor general representing the Bush administration.

From Los Angeles Times

The DOJ is independent of the American government, but presidents can influence key appointments including the US attorney general and solicitor general.

From BBC

To charge someone under the Biological Weapons Act, the Crown Prosecution Service has to obtain consent from the government's law officers - the attorney general or solicitor general.

From BBC

“San Francisco knows what it needs to do. Its old sewer system is failing,” said Frederick Liu, an assistant to the solicitor general.

From Los Angeles Times