What we do

The Solicitor-General is the second law officer of the State. The functions of the Solicitor-General are set out in s 7 of the Solicitor-General Act 1983. It is the primary function of the Solicitor-General to act as counsel for the Crown in right of Tasmania which, in practice, involves the provision of legal advice to Ministers, Agencies and other emanations of the Crown as well as representing the State in constitutional and other significant matters before the courts.

Responsibility for the conduct of the State’s civil litigation otherwise rests with the State Litigation Office.

It is recommended that advice should be sought in relation to any issues or concerns regarding:

1. the legal powers, functions and responsibilities of the Crown and its emanations;
2. the lawfulness of any action, or proposed course of action, of the Crown or its emanations; and
3. when an Agency is uncertain about which laws apply or how to interpret or apply relevant laws.