Solicitor General

The Solicitor General is the most senior functionary within the Chambers of the Attorney General. The office holder is essentially the chief counsel of the Chambers who is responsible to lead representation and appear on behalf of the Attorney General in any proceedings in the courts. These could involve actions by or against the state.

The Office of the Attorney General is principally concerned with providing legal advice to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. In the performance of this role the Attorney General is responsible for advising Government Ministries and Departments on matters of law, ensuring that the administration of public affairs is in accordance with the law and conducting litigation on behalf of the Government. In the discharge of these functions the Attorney General is assisted by the Solicitor General and Crown Counsel.

The Attorney General’s Chambers provides advice on a wide range of matters including constitutional law, public law and international law, contract, tort and labour matters.

Litigation is conducted by the Solicitor General and Crown Counsel. Counsel appears at all levels of the Court: that is, the Magistrates Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice in its Original Jurisdiction. Counsel also appear before administrative tribunals from time to time.

The various ancillary services rendered by the Office the Attorney General fall within the purview of the role of the Solicitor General. Accordingly, the following matters are included as areas of responsibility:

• Preparation and oversight in relation to contracts being entered into by the various units of the government
• Legal services to Statutory Corporations and other external agencies when called upon to provide such
• Oversight in relation to matters of procurement and public tendering
• Preparation of contracts in relation to persons being employed by Government
• Employee bond contracts
• Applications for citizenship
• Issue of Marriage licences
• Vetting of land documents
• Preparation of Alien landholding Licences
• Performs duties as the Competent Authority under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act Cap 4.19

The Attorney General with the assistance of Parliamentary Counsel advises the Government on all legislative matters. All legislation that is tabled in the National Assembly is either drafted and/or vetted by Parliamentary Counsel before it is presented to the National Assembly for consideration.

The function of the Solicitor General also involves the giving of legal advice and supervisory support in relation to all relevant matters to the crown counsels operating within the Chambers of the Attorney General.