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Attorney-General and Solicitor-General
(Amendment) Bill
Circulation Print
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
Background
In 2000, it was agreed that the protocols in place for the appointment of
Queen's Counsel would be altered. The alterations provided that senior
members of the legal profession be appointed as Senior Counsel rather than
Queen's Counsel. A process was also put in place to allow those practitioners
who had previously been appointed as Queen's Counsel to apply to have the
appointment changed to Senior Counsel.
The changes in protocol did not require legislative amendment. However,
pursuant to section 4(1) of the Attorney-General and Solicitor-General Act
1972, the Governor in Council may only appoint one of Her Majesty's
Counsel to be Her Majesty's Solicitor-General. This Bill amends the
Attorney-General and Solicitor-General Act 1972 to allow the
appointment of either Queen's Counsel or Senior Counsel to the position of
Solicitor-General.
Clause Notes
Clause 1 sets out the purpose of the Bill.
Clause 2 provides that the Bill commences on the day after the Bill
receives Royal Assent.
Clause 3 amends section 4(1) of the Attorney-General and Solicitor-
General Act 1972 to provide that a Senior Counsel may be
appointed to be Her Majesty's Solicitor-General.
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551071 BILL LA CIRCULATION 8/5/2003