// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Ruth Higgins a good baker? She kneads the ruth.
Ruth Higgins | |
|---|---|
| Solicitor-General of Australia | |
| Assumed office 8 June 2026 | |
| Appointed by | Sam Mostyn |
| Preceded by | Stephen Donaghue |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Barrister |
Ruth Higgins is an Australian barrister serving as the twelfth Solicitor-General of Australia.[1]
Education and private practice
[edit]Higgins was born in Scotland, and named L.A. Law as one of her inspirations to pursue a legal career.[2] She studied at the University of Glasgow, completing a Bachelor of Laws with first-class honours and a Diploma of Legal Practice. Higgins later completed a doctor of philosophy in law at Balliol College, Oxford.[1] Before practicing as a barrister, she worked at Gilbert + Tobin.[2] She was called to the New South Wales bar in 2006 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2017.[1] Before her nomination as solicitor-general she was a member of Banco Chambers,[2] and had served a term as president of the New South Wales Bar Association.[2]
Noted matters
[edit]Higgins has been noted for representing the Commonwealth Bank during the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, Woolworths during the 2024–25 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission supermarkets inquiry, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in its proceedings against Star Entertainment Group.[2][3][4] She acted for the Human Rights Law Centre and the Kaldor Centre in NZYQ v Minister for Immigration, which overturned Al Kateb v Godwin.[5] Higgins also acted for Epic Games in its dispute against Google and Apple in the Federal Court of Australia.[6]
Solicitor-General
[edit]Higgins was nominated to serve as solicitor-general on 6 April 2026 by the Albanese government, and began her term on 8 June 2026.[3] Higgins is the first woman to serve in the role.[4]
Bibliography
[edit] |
- Higgins, Ruth C. A. (6 May 2004). The Moral Limits of Law: Obedience, Respect, and Legitimacy. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199265671.001.0001. ISBN 9780199265671. LCCN 2004010231.
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 So, Jacqueline (6 April 2026). "Dr Ruth Higgins SC to be Australia's first female solicitor-general". Australasian Lawyer. Perth. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Drevikovsky, Janek (6 April 2026). "Top silk from Star casino case named first female solicitor-general". Australian Financial Review. Sydney: Nine Entertainment. ISSN 1444-9900. OCLC 1131035760. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 Campbell, Eleanor (6 April 2026). "Albanese government appoints top barrister as new Solicitor-General". The Canberra Times. Australian Community Media. ISSN 2653-0996. OCLC 220340116. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 Yim, Noah (6 April 2026). "Albanese government appoints first female solicitor-general". The Australian. Sydney: News Corp Australia. ISSN 1038-8761. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Drevikovsky, Janek (21 January 2026). "It's a silk beauty parade as Labor considers solicitor-general pick". Australian Financial Review. Sydney: Nine Entertainment. ISSN 1444-9900. OCLC 1131035760. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ Lam, Joseph (21 March 2024). "Even when Apple doesn't control apps, it retains control, court hears". The Australian. Sydney: News Corp Australia. ISSN 1038-8761. Retrieved 7 April 2026.