As the Australian Government’s central legal service, AGS is a centre of excellence and expertise in areas of law of importance to the Commonwealth and in managing complex, systemic and precedential issues for the Commonwealth.
We work with client agencies to deliver outcomes and advise on legality and the government’s legal interests by providing high-quality advice and representation and timely, reliable service. We have the expertise, the corporate memory and the resources to do this in a way no other legal practice can.
AGS is often involved in the largest and most sensitive matters affecting the Australian Government.
Our long experience in working with government agencies means we understand the Government's legislative and regulatory frameworks, policy objectives and key programs.
We work with agencies to develop innovative solutions to legal issues and to implement commercially and legally robust approaches to some of the largest projects in which the Australian Government is involved.
With offices in every capital city and over 450 lawyers who cover some 40 different areas of law related to government, AGS is one of Australia's largest national legal services providers.
AGS brings together lawyers from across the organisation to work on complex matters that require expertise in several areas of law.
The Office of General Counsel (OGC)
OGC provides specialist expertise in constitutional and public law, statutory interpretation and the development, implementation and administration of legislation. As well as providing constitutional advice, OGC specialises in acting for the Commonwealth in constitutional litigation and coordinating the conduct of other cases involving constitutional or national security issues.
Dispute Resolution
The Dispute Resolution practice group provides specialist expertise in resolving and managing disputes across many areas of law. It acts for regulatory agencies in enforcing the law, protects sensitive information from disclosure, defends government decisions and responds to claims made against the Commonwealth. It is often involved in the largest and most sensitive matters affecting the Australian Government.
Commercial
The Commercial practice group works with a wide range of Commonwealth agencies across all areas of commercial law to develop innovative solutions to their legal issues and to implement commercially and legally robust approaches to some of the largest projects in which the Australian Government is involved.
Corporate Governance AGS operates as a group within the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department and is led by The Australian Government Solicitor, Matthew Blunn. For more information, visit the AGS organisation chart. AGS supports key activity 1 in the Department’s Corporate Plan: Provide legal services and policy advice and oversee legal services across government. | Legislative framework AGS’s legislative framework has 3 main elements:
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