Lawyer Chris Soler has been appointed to the role of State Advocate with immediate effect, after being selected by an independent commission.

Dr Soler takes over the position from Victoria Buttigieg, who was appointed Attorney General last month. He is the second person to take up the position of State Advocate.

Last year, the functions of the Attorney General were split and thus the role of State Advocate was created. The former acts as a public prosecutor while the latter provides legal advice to the Government, and represents Malta in legal proceedings.

Dr Soler was selected by a commission composed of chief justice emeritus Joseph Azzopardi and retired judges Lawrence Quintano and Antonio Mizzi.

An earlier call for the post drew no applicants and was re-issued.

Soler obtained his warrant in 2000 and for the past 20 years has practiced criminal law and lectured about it at the University of Malta.

He also served as chairperson on the Refugee Appeals Board.