The acting head of the country's electronic spy agency Una Jagose has been appointed Solicitor-General.
Ms Jagose has been acting director of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) since early this year before that, she was Deputy Solicitor at Crown Law.
Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson said Ms Jagose had very sound legal judgement and has proven herself a capable and effective leader.
She takes up her new role in February when Michael Heron steps down.
The government will now begin recruiting to find a permanent director for the GCSB.