16.
SECRET
The Attorney-General is the principal legal
adviser to the Government and is regarded as the titular
In most cases
isen ver head of the local bar. He is normally a Queen's Counsel.
His department, consisting of 160 lawyers with an
ancillary staff, is responsible for legislative
drafting and civil litigation to which the Government is
a party.
17. Although the Attorney-General and the staff of his
department are primarily concerned with legal matters,
the Attorney-General, as a senior ex-officio member of
the Executive and Legislative Councils, participates in
the formulation of government policy.
18. The Attorney-General is also responsible for public
prosecutions and in that capacity is autonomous in that
the final decision in respect of the institution, conduct
and discontinuance of public prosecutions rests with him
alone and he is not subject to the direction or control
of any other person or authority.
Requirements of the United Kingdom
19. Under any new constitutional arrangements for Hong
Kong, provision must be made for the proper discharge
of the functions now discharged by the Attorney-General
and his staff.
Possible Changes
20. It is not essential for the office of Attorney-
General to be held by an expatriate a local barrister
could be appointed if he were properly qualified and a
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