The role of the Solicitor-General

As the State’s second law officer and principal advocate, the Solicitor-General appears as Counsel on behalf of the State of Queensland and represents the State at appellate courts such as the court of Appeal and the High Court of Australia.

The Solicitor-General provides advice on judicial proceedings to the Attorney-General and the highest levels of Government and acts on the instructions of the Attorney-General in legal matters.

Under the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), the Attorneys-General of the States, Territories and Commonwealth have a right to intervene in any court proceedings that relate to a matter arising under the Constitution or involving its interpretation.

One of the major responsibilities of the Solicitor-General is to advise the Attorney-General on the exercise of the Attorney’s powers of intervention.

The Solicitor-General must be a barrister of at least 10 years’ standing and is appointed for a term of five years under the Solicitor-General Act 1985.