13 March 2025
Andrew Buckland, AGS Chief General Counsel, was appointed on 6 March 2025 as Commonwealth King’s Counsel.
The Attorney-General announced the appointment on 11 March 2025, congratulating Andrew and looking forward to his ‘significant and ongoing contribution in the provision of legal services to the Commonwealth’. This continues a fine tradition of King’s Counsel practising at AGS with Andrew Buckland KC joining Tim Begbie KC, Chief Counsel Dispute Resolution, to provide a unique ‘whole-of-government’ perspective and capability.
The title of Commonwealth KC is a signifier of very senior legal status, reserved for the most distinguished legal officers possessing exceptional skills delivering authoritative legal expertise over a considerable period of time.
The Secretary at the Attorney-General’s Department, Katherine Jones PSM, congratulated Andrew, saying that the appointment ‘recognises the immense contributions he has made throughout his legal career, including his more than 25 years’ experience with the Australian Government Solicitor and his [current] role’. Andrew has also been appointed from time to time to act as Solicitor-General.
The Secretary continued, ‘Andrew is regularly relied on by clients across the Commonwealth for his expertise in a range of areas of law including constitutional law, statutory interpretation, administrative law, executive power and federal jurisdiction.’
The Australian Government Solicitor, Matthew Blunn, sent his warmest and best wishes to Andrew, saying, ‘This is a significant day for Andrew and AGS.’ Matthew noted that it was also a moment of great pride for AGS.
‘Successive governments have been seized of the importance of recognising the pre-eminence of practitioners who have built careers at AGS and who have become leaders in public law – and it is important that leading AGS lawyers continue to be recognised in this way.’
The availability of senior counsel at AGS to appear for and advise Commonwealth clients adds another dimension to the legal representation that AGS is able to provide. AGS offers Commonwealth clients the benefit of a senior counsel’s vast experience in public law and administration.
Congratulations again to Andrew on this great achievement.