A solicitor general or solicitor-general, in common law countries, is usually a legal officer who is the chief representative of a regional or national government in courtroom proceedings. In systems that have an attorney-general, the solicitor general is often the second-ranked law officer of the state and a deputy of the attorney-general. The extent to which a solicitor general actually provides legal advice to or represents the government in court varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and sometimes between individual office holders in the same jurisdiction.
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Solicitors General include the following:
Solicitor General of the United States, the federal government's primary advocate before the U.S. Supreme Court
In states in the United States, a state's Solicitor General is usually the top appellate advocate on behalf of the State, its executives and officials, and its legislature. In many states, the Solicitor General also formulates a state's legal position in significant out-of-state cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. State Solicitors General include, among others:
**Solicitor General of Alabama, the top appellate advocate in the State of Alabama.
**Solicitor General of Hawaii, the top appellate advocate in the State of Hawaii
**Solicitor General of Michigan, the top appellate advocate for the State of Michigan
**Solicitor General of New York, the top appellate advocate in the State of New York
**Solicitor General of Ohio, the top appellate advocate in the State of Ohio
**Solicitor General of Texas, the top appellate advocate in the State of Texas
**Solicitor General of Washington, the top appellate advocate in the State of Washington.
**Solicitor General of West Virginia, the top appellate advocate in the State of West Virginia.
In Australia the role of the Solicitor-General is as the second law officer after the Attorney-General. At federal level, the position of Solicitor-General of Australia was created in 1916 and until 1964 was held by the secretary of the Attorney-General's Department. It has always been held by a public servant. At state level, the position has existed since the granting of self-government in the 19th century, and until the early 20th century was held by a member of parliament. During the 20th century there have been significant changes to the role, becoming increasingly independent and non-political to balance the increasing political engagement of the Attorney-General. Criminal litigation has largely been devolved to the various Directors of Public Prosecution. The Solicitor-General provides legal advice to the executive and represents the relevant government in court proceedings, particularly in constitutional matters.
*Solicitor-General of Belize, a law officer of the government of Belize, subordinate to the Attorney-General of Belize
*Solicitor General of Grenada
Solicitor-General, the Chief Executive Officer of the Attorney-General's Chambers, and as such assists the Attorney-General in advising the government on legal matters, and in performing legal work for the government
Solicitor General of Hong Kong, until 1979, deputy to the Attorney-General; since 1981, head of the Legal Policy Division of the Department of Justice in Hong Kong
