In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general ( pl. : 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 enforcement , prosecutions or even responsibility for legal affairs generally. In practice, the extent to which the attorney general personally provides legal advice to the government varies between jurisdictions, and even between individual office-holders within the same jurisdiction, often depending on the level and nature of the office-holder's prior legal experience.
82-491: Sir Charles Cowper ( / ˈ k aʊ p ər / ), KCMG (26 April 1807 – 19 October 1875) was an Australian politician and the Premier of New South Wales on five occasions from 1856 to 1870. Cowper did useful work but does not rank among the more distinguished Australian politicians. Cowper's governments had a fairly coherent liberal tendency, a trend which continued with the governments of Henry Parkes and later developed into
164-760: A GCMG in Skyfall . Daniel Craig , who has portrayed Bond on film, was appointed (CMG) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to film and theatre. The general release on 30 September 2021 of his last appearance as James Bond, in No Time to Die , had been delayed by almost two years due to a change of director and the COVID-19 pandemic. Coinciding with the film's premiere, and matching his fictional character's rank, Craig became an Honorary Commander in Britain's Royal Navy . Following this appointment, he committed to being an ambassador for
246-526: A barrister, is the principal legal adviser to the government and holds the office of a minister. The Attorney-General's Office is also responsible for the drafting of legislation, and vetting of all contracts or agreements of which the government is a party, including international agreements, treaties or conventions. In Nepal , the attorney general is the chief legal adviser of the Government of Nepal as well as its chief public prosecutor. An Attorney General
328-458: A depiction of the circlet (a circle bearing the motto) and the collar; the former is shown either outside or on top of the latter. Knights and Dames Commanders and Companions may display the circlet, but not the collar, surrounding their arms. The badge is depicted suspended from the collar or circlet. In the satirical British television programme Yes Minister , Jim Hacker MP is told a joke by his Private Secretary, Bernard Woolley , about what
410-549: A foreign country, and it can also be conferred for important or loyal service in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs. The three classes of appointment to the Order are, from highest grade to lowest grade: It is used to honour individuals who have rendered important services in relation to Commonwealth or foreign nations. People are appointed to the Order rather than awarded it. British Ambassadors to foreign nations are regularly appointed as KCMGs, DCMGs, or CMGs. For example,
492-717: A legal system which is partially derived from the common law tradition, share a common provenance. In Australia , the attorney-general is the chief law officer of the Crown and a member of the Cabinet . The Attorney-General is the minister responsible for legal affairs, national and public security, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation . Mark Dreyfus is the current Attorney-General. The Australian states each have separate attorneys-general , who are state ministers with similar responsibilities to
574-597: A long time. The Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte , QC, MP is the new Attorney General of Jamaica as of March 7, 2016. In Kenya the Attorney General is the Principal Legal Adviser to the Government and ex officio Member of Parliament and Cabinet . His duties include the formulation of legal policy and ensuring proper administration of Kenya's legal system including professional legal education. Assisting
656-532: A majority" and frequently shows animus when speaking of him. He was personally popular, and towards the end of his life the estate of Wivenhoe was purchased by public subscription and settled on his wife. Charles was the third son of the Rev. William Cowper and his first wife Hannah. He was born in Drypool , Hull , Yorkshire , England and was brought to Sydney by his father in 1809. Educated by his father, in 1825 he joined
738-615: A place in the Parker ministry. He subsequently opposed Parker's proposal to create 40 new members in the House, and distribute them according to population, because it did not widen the franchise . In September 1857, the Parker Government was defeated and resigned, and Cowper became Premier again. This was a ministry of many changes, no fewer than 13 men holding the seven positions in its life of just over two years. In December, his Government lost
820-534: A term that also originates from French (" major-général ") and also has a postpositive adjective, it also appears incorrectly as "attorney generals" . While Steven Pinker writes: "So if you are ever challenged for saying attorney-generals, mother-in-laws , passerbys ... you can reply, 'They are the very model of the modern major general' " (a reference to the Major-General's Song , from the operetta The Pirates of Penzance ). The modern title of major general
902-451: A title of the permanently appointed attorney general of the state, sovereign or other member of the royal family. Civil law jurisdictions have similar offices, which may be variously called "public prosecutor general", "procurators", " advocates general ", "public attorneys", and other titles. Many of these offices also use "attorney general" or "attorney-general" as the English translation of
SECTION 10
#1733085929009984-734: A vote on a proposal to increase the rents of pastoralists and to levy an assessment on their stock, but this time Governor Denison agreed to call an election, held in January 1858. Cowper did well enough to remain Premier, but he did not have a reliable majority. His Government amended the Electoral Act to provide vote by secret ballot , universal manhood suffrage , representation primarily by population and more equal electoral districts. It also created 40 new municipalities, established district courts and prohibited grants to support public religious activity. At
1066-481: Is a military rank in which the word "general" is not used as an adjective but as a noun, which can be pluralized. In modern public discourse, attorneys general are often referred to or addressed as “general”. In this construction, the word “general” is an adjective, and its use as a noun is incorrect. Attorneys general, despite carrying the title of "general", are not military officers and carry no rank. Attorneys-General in common law jurisdictions, and jurisdictions with
1148-481: Is also the principal public prosecutor in the country, and is also known as the Public Prosecutor. He has the power, exercisable at his discretion, to institute, conduct or discontinue any proceedings for an offence, other than proceedings before a Syariah court, a native court or a court-martial. The current Attorney-General of Malaysia is Idris Harun since 2020. In Mauritius , the attorney-general, who should be
1230-626: Is appointed by the President on recommendation of the Prime Minister . The Attorney General's Office is a constitutional body under the Constitution of Nepal (2015) . For a person to be eligible for the post of Attorney General, they must also be qualified to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court . In New Zealand , the attorney-general is the chief law officer and primary legal advisor of
1312-665: Is headed by an Administrative Officer.) Crimes and offences are prosecuted at the suit of the Secretary of Justice. The Secretary of Justice, appointed by the Chinese government on the advice of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong , is an ex officio member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong . The position is normally held by a legal professional , and was, before July 2002, a civil service position. The Attorney General for India
1394-409: Is hung, emblazoned with his or her coat of arms. At a considerably smaller scale, to the back of the stall is affixed a piece of brass (a "stall plate") displaying its occupant's name, arms and date of admission into the Order. Upon the death of a Knight, the banner, helm, mantling and crest are taken down. The stall plates, however, are not removed; rather, they remain permanently affixed somewhere about
1476-622: Is mentioned in the novels From Russia, with Love and On Her Majesty's Secret Service , and on-screen in his obituary in Skyfall . He was offered appointment as KCMG (which would have elevated him from Companion to Knight Commander in the Order) in The Man with the Golden Gun , but he rejected the offer as he did not wish to become a public figure. Judi Dench 's character "M" is "offered" early retirement as
1558-714: Is not a member of the College of Arms , like many other heraldic officers. The Usher of the Order is known as the Gentleman or Lady Usher of the Blue Rod . Blue Rod does not, unlike the usher of the Order of the Garter , perform any duties related to the House of Lords . Members of the Order wear elaborate regalia on important occasions (such as coronations ), which vary by rank: At less important occasions, simpler insignia are used: Prior to 2011,
1640-527: Is not personally involved with prosecutions; however, some prosecutions (e.g. riot ) cannot be commenced without their consent, and they have the power to halt prosecutions generally. Criminal prosecutions are the responsibility of the Crown Prosecution Service , headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions . The Attorney General may appeal cases to the higher courts where, although the particular case
1722-726: Is settled, there may be a point of law of public importance at issue. The Attorney General's deputy is the Solicitor General for England and Wales . Under the Government of Wales Act 2006 , the Counsel General is the chief legal adviser to the Welsh Government . Since the prorogation of the Parliament of Northern Ireland in 1972, the Attorney General for England and Wales was also Attorney General for Northern Ireland. The separate office of Attorney General for Northern Ireland
SECTION 20
#17330859290091804-675: Is the Indian government 's chief legal advisor, and is its principal Advocate before the Supreme Court of India . They are appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Union Cabinet under Article 76(1) of the Constitution and hold office during the pleasure of the President. The current Attorney General for India is R. Venkataramani . The Mission of the Office of the Attorney General
1886-497: Is the legal adviser to the government of the Republic of Singapore and its public prosecutor . The current Attorney-General is Lucien Wong. The attorney-general of Sri Lanka is the chief legal adviser of the Government of Sri Lanka and head of the attorney-general department which is the public prosecutor . As of 10 October 2019 , the Attorney General of Sudan is Tag el-Sir el-Hibir . The office of Attorney General
1968-555: Is the case, for example, with the United States Attorney General or the Attorney-General for Australia , and the respective attorneys general of the states in each country), the ministerial portfolio is largely equivalent to that of a Minister of Justice in some other countries. The term was originally used to refer to any person who holds a general power of attorney to represent a principal in all matters. In
2050-532: Is the head of the public prosecution from the state, the person who advises the government in legal matters, the person who represents the state's authorities in the courts, and advises in preparation of law memoranda of the government in general and the Justice Minister in particular (likewise he examines and advises for private proposals for a law of Knesset members). This is a position which existed in Jamaica for
2132-501: Is to provide the highest standard of professional legal services to Government, Departments and Offices. The Attorney General of Ireland is the legal adviser to the Government and is therefore the chief law officer of the State. The Office of the Attorney General, is made up of a number of different offices: Since the enactment of the Prosecution of Offenses Act 1974 the responsibility for
2214-468: The Cabinet . The Minister of Justice is concerned with questions of policy and their relationship to the justice system. In their role as attorney general, they are the chief law officer of the Crown . A separate cabinet position, the Minister of Public Safety ( Ministre de la Sécurité publique ), formerly the "Solicitor General", administers the law enforcement agencies (police, prisons, and security) of
2296-583: The Free Trade Party . In 1852, Parkes referred in public to his "mild, affable and benignant character". In later years he spoke of his "quick insight in dealing with surrounding circumstances, and much good humour and tact in dealing with individuals". His political adroitness was such that it secured for him the popular sobriquet of "Slippery Charley". Cowper probably deserved this title no more than Bishop Wilberforce deserved his of "Soapy Sam", but Rusden speaks of Cowper as "ever anxious to link himself with
2378-695: The Mediterranean ". In 1864, however, the protectorate ended and the Ionian Islands became part of Greece . A revision of the basis of the Order in 1868, saw membership granted to those who "hold high and confidential offices within Her Majesty 's colonial possessions, and in reward for services rendered to the Crown in relation to the foreign affairs of the Empire". Accordingly, nowadays, almost all Governors-General and Governors feature as recipients of awards in
2460-577: The Assembly, he called an election on the land issue in December. At the election, Cowper returned to the Assembly representing East Sydney. All the candidates who publicly opposed land reform and the abolition of state aid for religious purposes were defeated. Robertson handed over the Premiership to Cowper on 10 January 1861, while Robertson concentrated on the land bills as Secretary for Lands. Cowper simplified
2542-606: The Bath , and The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India . The third of the aforementioned Orders—which relates to Ireland, no longer fully a part of the United Kingdom—still exists but is in disuse; no appointments have been made to it since 1936. The last of the Orders on the list, related to India, has also been in disuse since that country's independence in 1947. The Prince Regent founded
Charles Cowper - Misplaced Pages Continue
2624-704: The Council and in May 1851 he became president of the Australasian League for the Abolition of Transportation , which included representatives of New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and New Zealand. The association actively campaigned in Britain and, partly as a result, the British Government announced in December 1852 that there would be no more transportation to eastern Australia. When responsible government
2706-403: The Council on 3 April to complete the process. As the Council was resolutely opposed to the land bills, Robertson persuaded Cowper to ask the new Governor Sir John Young to swamp the Council with 21 new members. Before administering the oath to the new members the President of the Council, Sir W. W. Burton , announced his resignation and left the chamber. Other members followed his example, there
2788-480: The December 1869 election, he recontested East Sydney unsuccessfully, but was elected to represent Liverpool Plains . Cowper was Premier for the last time in January 1870 and was appointed Agent-General for New South Wales in London at the end of that year. He died in London on 19 October 1875 and was survived by Lady Cowper and children. He is buried in a family grave on the western side of Highgate Cemetery . Cowper
2870-555: The Ionian Islands ; now, however, Grand Masters are chosen by the Sovereign. Grand Masters include: The Order originally included 15 Knights Grand Cross, 20 Knights Commanders, and 25 Companions but has since been expanded and the current limits on membership are 125, 375, and 1,750 respectively. Members of the royal family who are appointed to the Order do not count towards the limit, nor do foreign members appointed as "honorary members". The Order has six officers. The Order's King of Arms
2952-789: The June 1859 election, Cowper was returned for East Sydney . His government was beaten on a vote on his educational bill on 26 October 1859 and Cowper resigned from the Assembly the next day. William Forster became Premier and John Robertson became leader of the Opposition. In March 1860, Cowper was appointed to a five-year term in the Legislative Council. Robertson formed Government in March 1860 with Cowper as Chief Secretary, and proceeded to bring forward his radical land legislation , involving free selection of crown land before survey and, when blocked in
3034-745: The New Zealand government. The Attorney-General is the Minister responsible for the Crown Law Office, the Parliamentary Counsel Office, and the Serious Fraud Office. Historically, the post could be held either by a politician or by a senior jurist, but today, it is invariably held by a member of Parliament . The Attorney-General attends Cabinet , but the post is not the same as the Minister of Justice . By tradition, persons appointed to
3116-408: The Order of St Michael and St George The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince of Wales (the future King George IV ), while he was acting as prince regent for his father, King George III . It is named in honour of two military saints , Michael and George . The Order of St Michael and St George
3198-588: The Order to commemorate the British amical protectorate over the Ionian Islands , which had come under British control in 1814 and had been granted their own constitution as the United States of the Ionian Islands in 1817. It was intended to reward "natives of the Ionian Islands and of the island of Malta and its dependencies, and for such other subjects of His Majesty as may hold high and confidential situations in
3280-667: The Order's chapel has been in St Paul's Cathedral in London. (The cathedral also serves as home to the chapels of the Order of the British Empire and the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor .) Religious services for the whole Order are held quadrennially; new Knights and Dames Grand Cross are installed at these services. The Sovereign and the Knights and Dames Grand Cross are allotted stalls in
3362-629: The Parliament. This institution originates from the time of the British rule, and was preserved even after the independence of Cyprus in 1960 due to the Anglo-Saxon law which continues to exist in Cyprus, as in other Commonwealth states. In Fiji , the role of the attorney general is defined as "providing essential legal expertise and support to the Government". More specific functions include "legislative drafting", "legal aid", "the prerogative of mercy" (advising
Charles Cowper - Misplaced Pages Continue
3444-517: The President), "liquor licensing" and "film censorship". The current Attorney General is Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum . In January 2008, he sparked controversy by accepting other government positions in addition to his role as attorney general. Sayed-Khaiyum is currently responsible also for "Public Enterprise, Electoral Reform and Anti-Corruption". An article in the Fiji Times pointed out that "never before in
3526-443: The Royal Navy, particularly in its international role, and to the welfare of its service families. Long-time Doctor Who companion Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart wore the ribbon of the order as the highest of his decorations. See List of current honorary knights and dames of the Order of St Michael and St George . Attorney General Where the attorney general has ministerial responsibility for legal affairs in general (as
3608-410: The State shall be taken— (a) in the case of civil proceedings, in the name of the attorney general; (b) in the case of criminal proceedings, in the name of the State. The attorney general for England and Wales is similarly the chief law officer of the Crown in England and Wales, and advises and represents the Crown and government departments in court. In practice, the Treasury Solicitor (who also has
3690-426: The attorney general in the performance of his duties as principal legal adviser to the government are: The Hon. Justice (Rtd) Paul Kihara Kariuki is the current Attorney-General of Kenya as of April 2018. In Kiribati , the attorney general is defined by section 42 of the Constitution as "the principal legal adviser to the Government". The Constitution specifies: "No person shall be qualified to hold or to act in
3772-399: The badge is suspended from the collar. All collars which have been awarded since 1948 must be returned to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood . The other insignia may be retained. The original home of the Order was the Palace of St. Michael and St. George in Corfu , the residence of the Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands and the seat of the Ionian Senate. Since 1906,
3854-413: The choir of the chapel, above which their heraldic devices are displayed. Perched on the pinnacle of a knight's stall is his helm, decorated with a mantling and topped by his crest. Under English heraldic law, women other than monarchs do not bear helms or crests; instead, the coronet appropriate to the dame's rank, if there is one, is used. Above the crest or coronet, the stall's occupant's heraldic banner
3936-407: The common law tradition, anyone who represents the state, especially in criminal prosecutions, is such an attorney. Although a government may designate some official as the permanent attorney general, anyone who came to represent the state in the same way could, in the past, be referred to as such, even if only for a particular case. Today, however, in most jurisdictions, the term is largely reserved as
4018-410: The devil was portrayed with black skin while St Michael was shown as being white; this was changed that year to show both with same skin colour, although St Michael's wings were changed from being multi-colour to being pure white. The alleged racism of this imagery has resulted in the government of Jamaica suspending the use of the badge entirely. In June 2020, calls were made for a complete redesign of
4100-406: The federal government. For the attorneys-general of the various provinces of Canada see: The Attorney General of the Republic is an independent official of the Republic of Cyprus , head of the Legal Service of the state.[1] He is the legal advisor of the Government of Cyprus.[1] Hierarchically, it is the 3rd highest institution of the state, after the President of the Republic and the President of
4182-427: The federal minister with respect to state law. Functions of the state and federal attorneys-general include the administration of the selection of persons for nomination to judicial posts, and authorizing prosecutions. In normal circumstances, the prosecutorial powers of the attorney-general are exercised by the Director of Public Prosecutions and staff; however, the attorney-general maintains formal control, including
SECTION 50
#17330859290094264-444: The first ministry under the leadership of S. A. Donaldson . Following Donaldson's resignation in August, Cowper was asked to form Government, but he had no more success than Donaldson in establishing majority support, and was in particular attacked over his choice for Attorney General , James Martin , who had not yet been admitted as a barrister . He was beaten in a no confidence motion and resigned on 2 October. Cowper turned down
4346-435: The former British Ambassador to the United States, Sir David Manning , was appointed a CMG when he worked for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and then after his appointment as British Ambassador to the US, he was promoted to a Knight Commander (KCMG). It is the traditional award for members of the FCO. The Order's motto is Auspicium melioris ævi ( Latin for "Token of a better age"). Its patron saints, as
4428-484: The former are written out in their fullest forms. Furthermore, honorary (foreign) members and clergymen do not receive the accolade and thus are not entitled to use the prefix "Sir" or "Dame". Knights and Dames Grand Cross use the post-nominal "GCMG"; Knights Commanders and Dames Commanders use "KCMG" and "DCMG" respectively; Companions use "CMG". Knights and Dames Grand Cross are also entitled to receive heraldic supporters . They may, furthermore, encircle their arms with
4510-410: The general rule of honours, that a husband never derives any style or title from his wife.) Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commanders prefix "Sir", and Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commanders prefix "Dame", to their forenames. Wives of Knights may prefix "Lady" to their surnames, but husbands of Dames derive no title from their wives. Such forms are not used by peers and princes, except when the names of
4592-446: The history of this nation has the Attorney-General held a portfolio dealing with matters other than the law and the judiciary", and criticised the decision. The Secretary for Justice, known as the attorney-general before the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, is the legal adviser to the Hong Kong Government and heads the Department of Justice . They are assisted by five law officers, namely: (The Administration and Development Division
4674-511: The insignia, including from Sir Michael Palin of Monty Python fame, a Knight Commander of the Order In July, the Cabinet Office announced that officers of the Order who were unhappy with their insignia could exchange them for one of the newer models. On certain collar days designated by the Sovereign, members attending formal events may wear the Order's collar over their military uniform or morning wear. When collars are worn (either on collar days or on formal occasions such as coronations),
4756-412: The member of the Legislative Council for the County of Cumberland in 1843 after a bitter contest against James Macarthur and held his seat until 1850. In September 1848 he sent out a circular convening a meeting to consider the establishment of a railway company. This became the first railway in New South Wales started on 3 July 1849. As it proved impossible for the company to finance the railway, it
4838-452: The name suggests, are St. Michael the Archangel, and St. George , patron saint of England and of soldiers . One of its primary symbols is that of St Michael trampling over and subduing Satan in battle. The Order is the sixth-most senior in the British honours system , after The Most Noble Order of the Garter , The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle , The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick , The Most Honourable Order of
4920-404: The office of Attorney-General unless he is qualified to practise in Kiribati as an advocate in the High Court." The current Attorney General, as of 2016, was the Honourable Tetiro Semilota, until her nomination as Acting Chief Justice in October 2022. In Malaysia the attorney-general or Peguam Negara (as he is referred to in Bahasa Melayu ) is the principal legal adviser to the Government. He
5002-480: The office was abolished and its functions taken over by the Secretary of Justice. Since then, the Solicitor General of the Philippines, previously the second law officer, has been the principal law officer and legal defender of the Philippine Government . The Office of the Solicitor General is the law firm of the Republic of the Philippines. It is tasked with representing the Philippines, the Philippine Government, and all its officials in any litigation or matter requiring
SECTION 60
#17330859290095084-418: The order, typically as Knights or Dames Grand Cross. In 1965 the order was opened to women, with Evelyn Bark becoming the first female CMG in 1967. The British sovereign is the Sovereign of the Order and appoints all other members of the Order (by convention, on the advice of the Government). The next-most senior member is the Grand Master. The office was formerly filled by the Lord High Commissioner of
5166-421: The political situation by sending Parkes to England to recruit immigrants on £1,000 per year. Early in this year Cowper introduced a bill intended to substitute elected members for the nominee members of the Legislative Council. The Council suggested amendments which Cowper could not accept. Robertson had his land bills passed by the Assembly on 27 March and resigned from the Assembly so that he could be appointed to
5248-409: The position of Attorney-General have been lawyers. Only two former attorneys-general have not been lawyers, most recently Dr Michael Cullen who held the post in 2005, and again from 2006. The Attorney-General of Pakistan is the legal adviser to the government of the Pakistan and its public prosecutor . The Attorney General of the Philippines was an office that existed from 1901 until 1932, when
5330-459: The power to initiate and terminate public prosecutions and take over private prosecutions. Statutory criminal law provides that prosecutions for certain offences require the individual consent of the attorney-general. This is generally for offences whose illegality is of a somewhat controversial nature or where there is perceived to be a significant risk that prosecutions of a political nature may be embarked upon. The Attorney-General also generally has
5412-429: The power to issue certificates legally conclusive of certain facts (e.g., that the revelation of certain matters in court proceedings might constitute a risk to national security); the facts stated in such certificates must be accepted by the courts and cannot legally be disputed by any parties. The Attorney-General also has the power to issue a nolle prosequi with respect to a case, which authoritatively determines that
5494-439: The prosecution of indictable criminal offences is mostly in the hands of the Director of Public Prosecutions who is by law independent of the attorney general and the State. The current attorney general is Rossa Fanning , SC . In the Isle of Man , the Attorney General is a Crown appointment (appointed by the UK government) and sits in the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man , ' ex officio '. The Attorney General of Israel
5576-403: The public service, and when 19 years of age was appointed clerk of the Clergy and School Lands Corporation. He held this position for some years. In 1831 Charles married the second daughter of Daniel Sutton. When the Clergy and School Lands Corporation was dissolved in 1833, Cowper went on the land and held extensive properties in Cumberland and Argyle counties. Cowper was first elected as
5658-494: The religious and government ("national") school systems. In October 1863, Cowper's government was defeated amidst criticism of its financial management and Martin became Premier. Cowper's party won the February 1865 election and he became Premier for the fourth time, but he had difficulty in maintaining control of the Assembly. In January 1866 Martin and Parkes, who had returned from London, defeated him and he resigned his seat to look after his private interests in February 1867. In
5740-439: The services of a lawyer especially before appellate courts. It is an independent and autonomous office attached to the Department of Justice for budgetary purposes. In Samoa , the attorney general is the legal adviser to the government. Since 2016, the current attorney general is Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff (whose father Misa Telefoni Retzlaff also served as attorney general from 1986 to 1988) The Attorney-General of Singapore
5822-678: The stall, so that the stalls of the chapel are festooned with a colourful record of the Order's Knights and Dames Grand Cross since 1906. The reredos within the chapel was commissioned from Henry Poole in 1927. Members of the Order of St Michael are assigned positions in the order of precedence in England and Wales . Wives of male members also feature on the order of precedence, as do sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commanders; relatives of female members, however, are not assigned any special precedence. (Individuals can derive precedence from their fathers or husbands, but not from their mothers or wives. This follows
5904-459: The state (in whose name prosecutions are brought) does not wish to prosecute the case, so preventing any person from doing so. For the attorneys-general of the various states and territories of Australia see: The Attorney General of Canada ( French : Procureur général du Canada ) is a separate title held by the Canadian Minister of Justice ( Ministre de la Justice ), a member of
5986-431: The title of Procurator General) normally provides the lawyers or briefs Treasury Counsel to appear in court, although the attorney general may appear in person. The person appointed to this role provides legal advice to the Government, acts as the representative of the public interest and resolves issues between government departments. The attorney general has supervisory powers over the prosecution of criminal offences, but
6068-540: The title, although because of different historical provenance, the nature of such offices is usually different from that of attorneys-general in common law jurisdictions. In regard to the etymology of the phrase Attorney General , Steven Pinker writes that the earliest citation in the Oxford English Dictionary is from 1292: "Tous attorneyz general purrount lever fins et cirrographer" (All general attorneys may levy fines and make legal documents). The phrase
6150-527: The various post-nominals stand for. From Series 2, Episode 2 "Doing the Honours": Woolley : In the service, CMG stands for "Call Me God". And KCMG for "Kindly Call Me God". Hacker : What does GCMG stand for? Woolley (deadpan): "God Calls Me God". Ian Fleming's spy, James Bond , a commander in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR), was fictionally decorated as a CMG in 1953. This
6232-551: Was borrowed from Anglo-Norman French when England was ruled by Normans after the conquest of England in the 11th-century. As a variety of French, which was spoken in the law courts, schools, universities and in sections of the gentry and the bourgeoisie, the term relating to government was introduced into English. The phrase attorney general is composed of a noun followed by the postpositive adjective general and as other French compounds its plural form also appears as "attorneys generals" . As compared to major generals ,
6314-595: Was established in Tonga in 1988, and was held jointly with the portfolio of Justice Minister until the two were separated in 2009. The Attorney General is defined as the "Chief Legal Advisor to Government". According to the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago, the supreme law of the nation, The Attorney General shall be responsible for the administration of legal affairs in Trinidad and Tobago and legal proceedings for and against
6396-416: Was established, Cowper was elected a member of the first Legislative Assembly in 1856 for Sydney City , which he represented until its abolition in 1859. Although Cowper was popular in 1856, his open association with the radicals, including Parkes, James Wilshire and Robert Campbell ruled him out from being considered for the premiership. He was offered and declined the position of Colonial Secretary in
6478-648: Was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1869, and a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1872. The federal Division of Cowper in New South Wales was created in 1900, and named after Sir Charles Cowper. [REDACTED] This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain : Chichester, Henry Manners (1887). " Cowper, Charles ". In Stephen, Leslie (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography . Vol. 12. London: Smith, Elder & Co. Knight Commander of
6560-781: Was no quorum, and on the same day Parliament was prorogued . The five-year terms of the 1856 Council appointments had run out and the Governor appointed a new Council to life terms, including Robertson. The land bills were passed again by the Assembly in September and by the Council in October 1861. Subsequently, the Cowper Government also passed the Torrens title legislation and the abolition of state aid to religion, although it did not succeed in passing Cowper's education bill, which would have amalgamated
6642-576: Was originally awarded to those holding commands or high position in the Mediterranean territories acquired in the Napoleonic Wars , and it was subsequently extended to holders of similar office or position in other territories of the British Empire . It is at present awarded to men and women who hold high office or who render extraordinary or important non-military service to the United Kingdom in
6724-497: Was taken over by the government six years later. After coming last in the election for the City of Sydney and failing to win County of Cumberland, at the end of 1851, Cowper was elected for County of Durham . He had opposed transportation since the 1840s and had presided at a public meeting protesting plans to revive transportation in October 1846. He also fought transportation vigorously in
#8991