What are the roles and functions of the Attorney General?

The Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago has a dual role. He is a member of Government with two separate constitutional roles: a governmental role and a role as the guardian of the public interest.

In his governmental role, he acts as a member of Government in the performance of his duties and in his role as the guardian of the public interest, he acts independently in a quasi-judicial capacity, representing the community at large.

In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Attorney General is responsible for the administration of legal affairs in Trinidad and Tobago. Legal Proceedings for and against the State must be taken:

a) In the case of civil proceedings, in the name of the Attorney General and;
b) In the case of criminal proceedings, in the name of the State.

The Attorney General has responsibility for the following departments:

	Wholly Owned Enterprises
	Appointment to Quasi Judicial Bodies
	Law Reform

Office of the Solicitor General

	Civil Litigation
	Legal Advice to the Government

Office of Chief State Solicitor

	Administrator General
	Provisional Liquidator
	Provisional Receiver
	Public Trustee/Official Receiver

Office of Chief Parliamentary Counsel

Legislative Drafting

Statutory Boards and other Bodies

	Corruption Investigation Bureau
	Anti-Corruption Squad
	Council of Legal Education
	Environmental Commission
	Equal Opportunity Commission
	Equal Opportunity Tribunal
	Hugh Wooding Law School
	Industrial Court
	Law Reform Commission
	Tax Appeal Board

Prepared by the Trinidad & Tobago Gazette No.74A, Vol. No.49, June 16 2010