Function
Solicitor-general
VF 169
undated
Function description
Functions of Solicitor-General as stated in Solicitor-General Act 1951:
to act as counsel for Her/His Majesty
to undertake other duties of counsel as directed by Attorney-General or as conferred by any Act.
Crown Solicitor
Victorian Government Solicitor
Crown Counsel
Background
Following separation from New South Wales and the establishment of the Crown Colony of Victoria, responsibility for the management of the colony's legal system including the administration of the courts was shared by two colonial officers, the Attorney General and the Solicitor General, both of whom were members of the Legislative Council. The Attorney General was also a member of the Executive Council. The practice of joint ministerial responsibility was continued after the achievement of responsible government in 1855 until 1951 when, under the provisions of the Solicitor General Act 1951 (No.5604) the office of the Solicitor General became non-ministerial and the Attorney General assumed responsibility for those functions previously administered by the Solicitor General. The function of the Solicitor-General, as stated in the 1951 Act, is to act as counsel for Her/His Majesty and other duties of counsel as directed by Attorney-General or as conferred by any Act.
Administrative Arrangements
In 1985 Administrative Arrangements Order (No.38) transferred responsibility for the direction of duties of the Solicitor-General to the Premier (VRG 50) with effect from 11 October 1985.
Administrative Arrangements Order (No.114), dated 6 October 1992, subsequently transferred responsibility back to the Attorney-General (VRG 19).
Minister of Justice
In some ministries during the period 1861 to 1891, the Solicitor General was known as the Minister of Justice.
Following separation from New South Wales and the establishment of the Crown Colony of Victoria, responsibility for the management of the colony's legal system including the administration of the courts was shared by two colonial officers, the Attorney General and the Solicitor General, both of whom were members of the Legislative Council. The Attorney General was also a member of the Executive Council. The practice of joint ministerial responsibility was continued after the achievement of responsible government in 1855 until 1951 when, under the provisions of the Solicitor General Act 1951 (No.5604) the office of the Solicitor General became non-ministerial and the Attorney General assumed responsibility for those functions previously administered by the Solicitor General. The function of the Solicitor-General, as stated in the 1951 Act, is to act as counsel for Her/His Majesty and other duties of counsel as directed by Attorney-General or as conferred by any Act.
Administrative Arrangements
In 1985 Administrative Arrangements Order (No.38) transferred responsibility for the direction of duties of the Solicitor-General to the Premier (VRG 50) with effect from 11 October 1985.
Administrative Arrangements Order (No.114), dated 6 October 1992, subsequently transferred responsibility back to the Attorney-General (VRG 19).
Minister of Justice
In some ministries during the period 1861 to 1891, the Solicitor General was known as the Minister of Justice.
