New Solicitor General for Western Australia

• Grant Donaldson SC appointed WA Solicitor General
• Appointment to be permanent

Attorney General Christian Porter has announced the permanent appointment of Grant Donaldson SC as the Solicitor General for Western Australia.

Mr Porter said the Governor had approved Mr Donaldson's appointment and he would begin his new role on Monday February 27.

"Mr Donaldson's varied breadth and quality of legal and courtroom experience make him an ideal permanent appointment to the position," the Attorney General said.

"He has an appreciation of wider public policy issues as well as experience in commercial, private and criminal law litigation."

Mr Porter thanked Mr Robert Mitchell SC, who has been acting in the role since June 2011.

"Mr Mitchell has contributed a great deal during his time as acting Solicitor General," he said.

"His legal knowledge and expertise have proved invaluable on a wide range of matters."

The former Solicitor General, Mr Robert Meadows QC, retired from the position on July 18, 2011. On June 28, 2011, Mr Mitchell was appointed on an acting basis for a period of 12 months or until a permanent appointment was made.

Mr Donaldson was admitted to practice in WA in 1987, having completed a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from The University of WA, and a Bachelor of Civil Law from Oxford University. He was the WA Rhodes Scholar in 1986. Since 1998, Mr Donaldson SC has practised as a barrister at Francis Burt Chambers and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2004.

Mr Donaldson's salary, as determined by the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal, has been adjusted to take into account the retention of his right to limited private practice.

The Attorney General said this was a slight change to previous practice, which was based on the system in Queensland, and had been designed to allow Government to attract the most senior counsel from the bar, as in Mr Donaldson's case.

Funding for the appointment has already been allocated to the Department of the Attorney General.

     Fact File

• Solicitor General provides the State of WA with legal and constitutional advice, and to appear in High Court litigation in which the State is involved
• More information at: http://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/s/solicitor_general.aspx

Attorney General's office  - 6552 5600