The Solicitor-General of Victoria, known informally as the Solicitor-General, is the state's Second Law Officer and the deputy of the
Attorney-General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general (: attorneys general) or attorney-general (AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have executive responsibility for law enf ...
. The Solicitor-General acts alongside the
Crown Advocate and Crown Solicitor, and serves as one of the legal and constitutional advisers of the Crown and its government in the Australian state of
Victoria.
The Solicitor-General is addressed in court as "Mr/Ms Solicitor". Despite the title, the position may only be filled by a
barrister
A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdiction (area), jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their tasks include arguing cases in courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, jurisprud ...
admitted serving as
Senior Counsel, for a period specific by the
Governor of Victoria
The governor of Victoria is the representative of Monarchy of Australia, the monarch, currently King Charles III, in the Australian state of Victoria (state), Victoria.
The governor is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the premier of V ...
. The inaugural Solicitor-General was Redmond Barry, who serviced from 15 July 1851 to 18 January 1852. The current Solicitor-General is Rowena Orr .
History and function
Formerly, they were elected members of parliament, but have not been so since the early/mid twentieth century.
[ s2(1) "As on and from the commencement of this Act the office of Solicitor-General shall not be held by a responsible Minister of the Crown".] The functions of the Victorian Solicitor-General are two-fold. First, they act as Victoria's senior legal adviser. Second, they represent the state in significant legal proceedings where Victoria is party, or where the Victorian Attorney-General
intervenes either in
Commonwealth
A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the 15th century. Originally a phrase (the common-wealth ...
matters under section 78A of the ''Judiciary Act 1903'' or in matters concerning the ''Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006'' under s 34 of that Act. In 2003, Victoria appointed its first female Solicitor-General,
Pamela Tate, following an unprecedented public advertising of the position.
See also
*
Solicitor-General of Australia
*
Solicitor General for New South Wales
Notes
References
External links
Department of Justice and Community Safety
{{Victorian ministries
Victoria (state) law