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About us

Crown Law’s extensive pool of experienced lawyers advises and represents the Queensland Government in all areas of law affecting the public sector and the State of Queensland. We operate as a self-funded business unit of the Department of Justice (DoJ), providing legal services to Queensland Government only.

Working exclusively for Queensland Government means all Crown Law’s resources and skills are focused on the government’s priorities and legal needs. Our clear understanding of the environment in which departments and agencies operate is enhanced by the fact that we too are part of the Queensland State Government. Crown Law does not provide legal services to the public.

While Crown Law is the Government’s own legal unit, departments and agencies are not obliged to use our services for certain categories of law. Law firms in the private sector can also provide services to Queensland Government, which means Crown Law competes for this business. What legal services can and cannot be offered by the private sector is determined by the Cabinet document titled Principles and Categories of Tied Legal Work.

From time to time Crown Law engages private barristers to undertake legal work. When engaging barristers, Crown Law follows in the Engaging barristers to undertake legal work for government departments policy, which is implemented by the Legal Services Coordination Unit (LSCU) within the Department of Justice. See the whole-of-government policy for engaging barristers page on the DoJ website.

The role of the Crown Solicitor

The Crown Solicitor is the most senior officer in Crown Law, handling the most difficult legal matters on behalf of the Crown. The Crown Solicitor also acts as the solicitor for the State, providing independent legal advice to the Attorney-General, particularly in the Attorney-General's role as first law officer.

The professional and ethical standards of Crown Law's legal practice are set by the Crown Solicitor, who also takes responsibility for resolving any real or perceived conflict of interest involving a legal matter being handled by the Practice.

Under the Crown Proceedings Act 1980, any court action taken against the State must be served on the Crown Solicitor. For all legal matters instituted by or against the State of Queensland in which Crown Law acts, the Crown Solicitor is the solicitor on record.

The Crown Solicitor has statutory authority to apply to the Supreme Court to have individuals declared vexatious litigants, under the Vexatious Proceedings Act 2005.

For whom may the Crown Solicitor/Crown Law act?

The Crown Solicitor/Crown Law may act for:

  • the State of Queensland
  • Ministers
  • a body established by a law of the State
  • an officer or an employee of the public service or any other service of the State or of a body established by a law of the State
  • a person holding office under a law of the State or because of appointment to that office.

The Crown Solicitor/Crown Law is unable to be instructed by or represent members of the public or private entities and corporations.

If you would like help with a legal problem, you may be eligible for assistance from Law Right or Legal Aid.

Acceptance of service

The Crown Solicitor/Crown Law will accept service of documents for or in relation to:

  • any party for whom Crown Law is currently acting
  • originating applications/processes where the State of Queensland is a respondent/defendant
  • matters concerning trusts or charitable trusts where the Attorney-General is to be involved
  • notices under s 78B of the Judiciary Act.

Should you be wanting to serve a Minister, Director-General, Judge or Magistrate, employee or contractor of the State, service will only be accepted if Crown Law has received instructions to act.

The Crown Solicitor/Crown Law will not accept service of documents on behalf of:

  • the Director of Public Prosecutions
  • the Director of Child Protection Litigation
  • a Minister, Director-General, Judge or Magistrate, employee/contractor of the State
  • where the Crown Solicitor/Crown Law does not hold instructions to act.

If Crown Law is unable to accept service the plaintiff/applicant should refer to the relevant legislation setting out the requirements of service, or refer to the relevant government entity or department.

How to serve documents on the Crown Solicitor/Crown Law

Service of documents can be performed in person, by a service agent or via email crownlaw@qld.gov.au (this is the only authorised email address for service by email).

If serving in person, please report to the security desk in the foyer of the State Law Building where you will be escorted to the Crown Law reception area. A lawyer will then review the documentation and attend to the acceptance of the service. An exception to this occurs when the notices are under s 78B of the Judiciary Act. These may be served by post, facsimile or email.

You should note that if a document is served on a person after 4.00pm, the document is taken to have been served on the next day (Rule 103 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999). This also applies to emails received after 4.00pm.

Should you require further information, please phone 1800 268 428.