ABSTRACT

This chapter demonstrates, the role of Solicitor-General in New Zealand can be divided into five distinct functions: Chief Executive of the Crown Law Office; principal counsel for the Crown; principal legal adviser to the Crown; supervisor of the prosecution of indictable crime; and constitutional/Law Officer functions. In 1988 New Zealand's public sector underwent significant change. The New Zealand Government Legal Service is in the process of being established. Like Australia, the growth and compartmentalisation of government in New Zealand has resulted in the creation of a number of large government legal departments. The chapter is divided into three parts. First, it examines the history of the Crown Law Office and the role of the Solicitor-General in New Zealand. Then it focuses on the current roles of the Solicitor-General in New Zealand. Fianlly, it examines the advantages to the way in which the roles of Solicitor-General and the Crown Law Office have evolved in New Zealand.