Main Functions

Providing legal advice to the Government, States Assembly and the Crown

advises the Crown, ministers and departments on matters of law;
advises States members, Parish Constables, the Dean of Jersey and the Receiver General on matters of law arising out of their public duties;
prepares reports for the Privy Council on new legislation submitted to it by the States and liaises with the Ministry of Justice on UK legislation which may be extended to the Island;
carries out all conveyancing in the sale or purchase of Crown land and property held by the Public of the Island.

conducts criminal prosecutions in the Royal Court, Magistrate’s Court and Youth’s Court;
appears at the Court of Appeal and Royal Court in criminal appeals and bail and probation reviews;
advises and directs States and Honorary police in criminal prosecutions;
considers information from other departments and, where appropriate, institutes proceedings on statutory infractions before the Courts;
authorises warrants for arrest of persons wanted in the Island.

represents ministers in civil claims brought by or against them in the Royal Court and Court of Appeal;
deals with court claims to recover debts owed to the Treasurer of the States on behalf of other States departments.

provides advice to the Children’s Service about the care and protection of children in the Island;
deals with applications for public law orders in relation to children;
provides advice to mental health services and adult social care in relation to vulnerable adults and those who lack mental capacity;
is the Central Authority for Jersey under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

conducts complex investigations into allegations of transnational money laundering, corruption and terrorism financing;
is responsible for civil asset forfeiture;
leads criminal investigations into alleged breaches of sanctions legislation.

handles incoming and outgoing international requests for assistance as the Central Authority for Jersey in matters related to Mutual Legal Assistance;
- Requests include assistance in relation to evidence for criminal proceedings and non-conviction-based asset recovery; restraint of assets; registration and enforcement of external asset recovery orders; extradition of criminal suspects to and from Jersey;
negotiates asset sharing agreements between Jersey and its international partners.

carries out duties which arise from the Attorney General’s role as Titular Head of the Honorary Police;
attends States sittings;
carries out duties of a ceremonial nature such as swearings-in of Crown Officers, Advocates and Solicitors and Visites Royales;
protects the interests of charities in the Royal Court when required and approves draft and amended constitutions for charities;
organises applications for liquor licenses in the Licensing Assembly, registration of managers of licensed premises by the Royal Court and gambling licences before the Gambling Licensing Authority.