Commonwealth Crown Solicitor's Office
Crown Solicitor's Office · Office of the Commonwealth Crown Solicitor
1903 – 1984
Renamed Australian Government Solicitor in 1984.
The Commonwealth's own legal practice within the Attorney-General's Department, acting as solicitor for Commonwealth departments and agencies in litigation, conveyancing and commercial work. Until 1984 it also conducted most prosecutions of Commonwealth offences.
Names over time
- Commonwealth Crown Solicitor's Office1903–1984
- Australian Government Solicitor1984–2015
How it came into existence
Set up in 1903 within the Attorney-General's Department, with Charles Powers as the first Commonwealth Crown Solicitor, so that the Commonwealth no longer had to rely on state Crown Solicitors for its legal work.
- Legal services to the Commonwealth
Established as an office within the department.
Changes during its life
- Prosecution of bottom-of-the-harbour tax offences
These prosecutions had previously rested with the Crown Solicitor's office.
How it ended
Renamed the Australian Government Solicitor in 1984, after responsibility for federal prosecutions passed to the new Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Commonwealth legal practice
- Commonwealth litigation
- Prosecution of Commonwealth offences
Main functions
- Solicitor to the Commonwealth and its agencies
- Conduct of Commonwealth litigation
- Conveyancing and commercial legal work
- Prosecution of Commonwealth offences (until 1984)
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Attorney-General's Department.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.