Lord ADVOCATE, or King's ADVOCATE, one of the eight great officers of state in Scotland, who as such sat in parliament without election. He is the principal crown lawyer in Scotland. His business is to act as a public prosecutor, and to plead in all causes that concern the crown; but particularly in such as are of a criminal nature. The office of king's advocate is not very ancient: It seems to have been established about the beginning of the 16th century. Originally he had no power to prosecute crimes without the concurrence of a private party; but, in the year 1597, he was empowered to prosecute crimes at his own instance. He has the privilege of pleading in court with his hat on. This privilege was first granted to Sir Thomas Hope; who having three sons lords of session, it was thought indecent that the father should plead uncovered before the sons, who as judges sat covered.