Government Proceedings Act 1956 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 3 · Jurisdiction and Procedure
24. Appearance of legal officers
Feedback & supportNotwithstanding the provisions of any written law, in civil proceedings by or against the Government a legal officer may appear as advocate on behalf of the Government, and may make and do all appearances, acts and applications in respect of such proceedings on behalf of the Government.
civil proceedings
“civil proceedings” means proceedings of whatever kind of a civil nature before a court and includes proceedings for judicial review and recovery of fines and penalties and an application at any stage of a proceeding;
Notwithstanding the provisions of any written law, in civil proceedings to which a public officer is a party —
officer
“officer”, in relation to the Government, includes a person in the permanent or temporary employment of the Government and accordingly (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) includes a Minister of the Government;
by virtue of his office; or
in his personal capacity, if the Attorney‑General certifies in writing that it is in the public interest that such public officer should be represented by a legal officer,a legal officer may appear as advocate on behalf of such public officer and shall be deemed to be the recognised agent of such public officer by whom all appearances, acts and applications in respect of such proceedings may be made or done on behalf of such public officer.
An advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court, retained by the Attorney-General in the case of civil proceedings by or against the Government or a public officer, may appear as advocate on behalf of the Government or the public officer in such proceedings.
In civil proceedings to which the Attorney-General is a party under section 8 or 9, a legal officer may appear as advocate and make and do all appearances, acts and applications in respect of such proceedings on behalf of the Attorney-General.
legal officer
“legal officer” includes a law officer and a legally qualified member of the Attorney‑General’s Chambers;