The Solicitor General of Hong Kong is head of the Legal Policy Division of the
Department of Justice
A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...
() in
Hong Kong. He (to date no woman has held the post) is responsible for the development of legal policy, advising the
Secretary for Justice (called the
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general.
In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...
before
1997
File:1997 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The movie set of ''Titanic (1997 film), Titanic'', the List of highest-grossing films, highest-grossing movie in history at the time; ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'', is published; ...
) on legal issues, and overseeing the department's staff and legislative programme.
History
The position of
Solicitor General in Hong Kong was created after the end of
World War II. The Solicitor General acted as the deputy of the
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general.
In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...
and regularly appeared in court.
In 1979, the roles of Law Draftsman, Law Officer (Civil) and Crown Prosecutor (called from the inception of the position
Director of Public Prosecutions) were created and the position of Solicitor General was abolished. It was reinstated in 1981 with the Solicitor General being put in charge of legal policy.
The
Secretary for Justice is now assisted by five law officers, namely:
* the Solicitor General who heads the Legal Policy Division,
* the
Director of Public Prosecutions (formerly Crown Prosecutor) who head the
Prosecutions Division,
* the
Law Officer (Civil Law) (formerly Crown Solicitor) who heads the Civil Law Division,
* the
Law Officer (International Law) who heads the International Law Division, and
* the
Law Draftsman who heads the Law Drafting Division
Current holder
The position of Solicitor General is currently vacant. Mr. MUI Kei Fat, Llewellyn is currently acting as Solicitor General.The previous incumbent, Mr Wesley Wong SC transferred to become Secretary of the Law Reform Commission some time in 2021.
Remuneration for the post, as advertised in 2015, is HK$201,950 (up from HK$162,650 in 2000) per month, together with housing allowance, 'leave passage allowance', and other benefits.
DOJ advertisement for the post of Solicitor General
June 2000; Advertisement in Hong Kong Lawyer January 2015
List of Solicitors General before 1997
List of Solicitors General After 1997
The incumbent Solicitor General is an unofficial Justice of the Peace, and is given the "JP" designation while in office; this designation is removed upon leaving office, unless officially appointed separately.
See also
* Solicitor General
*Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general.
In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...
*Justice minister
A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...
References
{{Reflist
Lists of political office-holders in Hong Kong
Prosecution
Legal professions
Justice ministers
Hong Kong