SCOTLAND'S most senior law officer is to stand down, the Scottish Government has confirmed.
Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC and Solicitor General, Alison Di Rollo QC, have both announced their intention to leave office.
Mr Wolffe was appointed in 2016 after his predecessor Frank Mulholland quit the post.
His replacement could have a key role in providing legal advice on any future independence referendum legislation.
The Lord Advocate has a dual role of heading the prosecution system and, separately, providing legal advice to ministers.
Scottish Labour has called for these responsibilities to be split.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The Lord Advocate informed the First Minister last year that he intended to leave office following the recent election and confirmed his intention before her re-election by the Scottish Parliament as First Minister.
"The Solicitor General has confirmed her intention to stand down at the same time.
“It is for the First Minister to nominate new Law Officers and, subject to approval of her nominees by the Scottish Parliament, to recommend their appointment to Her Majesty the Queen.
"The current Law Officers intend to remain in office until the new Law Officers are appointed."
Mr Wolffe's role has involved him in controversy in recent months.
In February, former first minister Alex Salmond said Mr Wolffe should resign over his role in the Scottish Government's handling of harassment complaints against him.
Speaking before a Scottish Parliament inquiry into the affair in March, Mr Wolffe denied any political influence relating to Mr Salmond's criminal prosecution, which ultimately saw him acquitted of 13 charges at Edinburgh's High Court last year.
Mr Wolffe told the Holyrood committee: "Any suggestion, from any quarter, that the Crown's decision-making has at any time been influenced by irrelevant considerations or improper motivations would be wholly without foundation.
"Insinuation and assertions to the contrary are baseless."
Mr Wolffe also made a public apology over the wrongful prosecution of two men - before he became Lord Advocate - following a fraud investigation relating to the sale of Rangers.
David Whitehouse and Paul Clark had been appointed joint administrators of the club in 2012, but were arrested in 2014 regarding their involvement with the administration.
The pair were awarded more than £20 million after charges brought against them were dropped or dismissed.
The Sunday Times reported possible successors to Mr Wolffe could include Laura Dunlop QC, who carried out a review of the Scottish Government's harassment complaint procedures.
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