ATTORNEY-GENERAL

An officer made by letters patent. He is the public prosecutor on behalf of the crown, his duty being to exhibit informations in criminal matters which concern the crown, ex officio, or by virtue of his office. (See Information.) He also files bills in the exchequer for any thing concerning the king's inheritance and profits, and bills are filed against him by others. The attorney-general has precedence of all other counsel. As chief legal adviser of the crown, in all matters falling within the purview of his office, his place is one of great importance, and is usually entrusted to new hands whenever an extensive change is made in the cabinet. It is generally understood that the attorney general for the time being has a priority of claim for preferment to any of the high law offices which may fall vacant, if he is willing to accept it; but this rule has by no means been uniformly acted on. [s. 118]