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AGC is led by the Attorney-General, who works closely with the Solicitor-General. The AG and the SG are the Law Officers and the Chief Legal Advisers of the Government.
The Attorney-General
As principal legal advisor to the government, the Attorney-General plays an important role in upholding the Rule of Law in Singapore, and thus contributes to one of the key aspirations of her people: to build a democratic society based on the fundamental ideals of justice and equality.
Article 35(7) of the Constitution states that it is the duty of the Attorney-General to "advise the Government upon such legal matters and to perform such other duties of a legal character, as may from time to time be referred or assigned to him by the President or the Cabinet and to discharge the functions conferred on him under [the] Constitution or any written law".
As the Public Prosecutor, the Attorney-General is vested with the power "to institute, conduct or discontinue proceedings for any offence". The Attorney-General is independent in this role, and not subject to the control of the government.
In addition, all actions by or against the government are made in the name of the Attorney-General. He is, under Common Law, the guardian of charities; and in adoptions, guardian ad litem to the adoptees.
By virtue of his office, the Attorney-General is not able to render legal advice to anyone other than the government and its constituent Ministries and Departments. Therefore, any person or body corporate requiring legal advice should instruct an advocate and solicitor. If directory information on law practices and practising advocates and solicitors is required, please contact the Law Society or visit its website www.lawsociety.org.sg.
An individual who does not have the resources to pay for legal advice can contact (a) the Law Society to seek assistance under its Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS), if the matter relates to a criminal proceeding, or (b) the Legal Aid Bureau for civil matters, such as matrimonial proceedings, contracts or tortious claims. Both the Law Society and the Legal Aid Bureau will assess if the individual qualifies under their respective schemes and income criteria.
The present Attorney-General of Singapore is The Honourable Professor Walter Woon Cheong Ming. He was appointed to the position on 11 Apr 2008. For more information about the present AG, click here.
The Solicitor-General
The Solicitor-General works closely with the Attorney-General in providing legal advice to the Government of Singapore. Under section 336(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the Solicitor-General also has all the powers of a Deputy Public Prosecutor and may act as the Public Prosecutor in the absence of the Attorney-General.
The Solicitor-General is Mrs Koh Juat Jong, who was appointed on 11 Apr 2008. For more information about SG, click here.
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