Attorney General for England and Wales

Attorney General for England and Wales
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Post	Attorney General for England and Wales
Body	Government of the United Kingdom
Department	Ministry of Justice
Member of	Cabinet of the United Kingdom
Reports to	Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Seat	London
Term length	At Her Majesty's pleasure
Constituent country	England and Wales

Attorney General for England and Wales is a senior law officer of the Crown in England and Wales, and the chief legal adviser to the Cabinet of the United Kingdom and the Government of the United Kingdom. The office has a long history, dating back to the 13th century, with notable holders including Thomas More, Francis Bacon, and Robert Cecil. The Attorney General for England and Wales works closely with other senior law officers, such as the Solicitor General for England and Wales and the Director of Public Prosecutions (England and Wales).

History of the Office

The office of Attorney General for England and Wales has its roots in the 13th century, with the first recorded holder being William of Boneville in 1243, during the reign of King Henry III of England. Over the centuries, the office has evolved, with notable holders including Thomas Cromwell, Robert Dudley, and Francis Walsingham, who all played significant roles in the Tudor period. The Attorney General for England and Wales has also worked closely with other senior law officers, such as the Lord Chancellor and the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, to advise the Monarchy of the United Kingdom on legal matters. The office has been involved in significant cases, including the Trial of Charles I and the Gunpowder Plot, and has worked with notable figures, such as Oliver Cromwell and John Locke.

Role and Responsibilities

The Attorney General for England and Wales is the chief legal adviser to the Cabinet of the United Kingdom and the Government of the United Kingdom, providing advice on a wide range of legal matters, including European Union law, Human rights, and Constitutional law. The office works closely with other government departments, such as the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice, to ensure that the government is acting in accordance with the law. The Attorney General for England and Wales also represents the Crown in court, particularly in cases involving Public international law and Crown immunity. The office has worked with notable judges, including Lord Denning and Lord Bingham, and has been involved in significant cases, such as the Bloody Sunday inquiry and the Hutton Inquiry.

Appointment and Tenure

The Attorney General for England and Wales is appointed by the Monarch of the United Kingdom, on the advice of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, typically from among senior Barristers or Queen's Counsel. The office is usually held by a member of the House of Commons, although it can be held by a member of the House of Lords. The Attorney General for England and Wales serves at the pleasure of the Monarch of the United Kingdom, and can be removed from office at any time. Notable holders of the office have included Geoffrey Howe, Michael Havers, and Nicholas Lyell, who all went on to hold other senior government positions, such as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary.

Powers and Duties

The Attorney General for England and Wales has a range of powers and duties, including the power to Prosecute cases on behalf of the Crown, and the duty to advise the Government of the United Kingdom on legal matters. The office also has the power to Intervene in court cases, particularly in cases involving Public interest or National security. The Attorney General for England and Wales works closely with other law enforcement agencies, such as the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Serious Fraud Office, to ensure that the law is enforced effectively. The office has been involved in significant cases, including the Lockerbie bombing and the Iraq War, and has worked with notable figures, such as Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Notable Attorneys General

There have been many notable Attorneys General for England and Wales throughout history, including Thomas More, who was Canonized as a Saint by the Catholic Church, and Francis Bacon, who was a Philosopher and Statesman. Other notable holders of the office have included Robert Cecil, who was a key figure in the Gunpowder Plot, and William Murray, who was a Judge and Politician. More recent notable holders of the office have included Peter Goldsmith, who was involved in the Iraq War, and Dominic Grieve, who was a key figure in the Brexit negotiations. The office has also been held by notable women, including Baroness Scotland of Asthal and Suella Braverman, who have both played significant roles in shaping the law and justice system in England and Wales.