In recent years, controversy has surrounded the role of top government lawyers both in the US and the UK where allegations of bad lawyering and bad ethics in public office have thrust this group into the public debate. By contrast Australia’s chief legal adviser, the Solicitor-General, has remained largely out of the public eye. This collection provides an historical, theoretical, practical and comparative perspective and a rare insight into a fundamental public institution in all Australian jurisdictions, and at a time when the transparency and accountability of government has taken on an increased significance.