Frequently Asked Questions
I have a legal problem, can you help?
The Attorney and Solicitor General (Law Officers) provide legal advice to Government and Government departments and cannot advise individual members of the public. To help find legal advice and more information on crime and justice, please visit DirectGov
Why can't I speak to the Attorney or a lawyer?
We do not give legal advice to members of the public. If you do feel that you need to contact us about a matter which we can deal with please see the contacts page.
Can you tell me what advice the Attorney gave on a particular subject?
No. By convention the Law Officer's advice or the fact of whether or not they have advised on a particular issue is not disclosed. The reasons for this are explained in the Ministerial Code. There is also an exemption in the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
How does the AGO fit in with other criminal justice organisations/is the AGO part of the Home Office or Ministry of Justice?
The Attorney General's Office is an independent department which supports the Attorney General who superintends the work of the Directors of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). The AGO works closely with other government departments like the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice in the development of criminal justice policy and legislation.
Are you the Official Solicitor?
No. Contact details can be found on the Ministry of Justice website below.
Can you overrule the Director of Public Prosecutions or Director of the Serious Fraud Office's decisions?
Although both Law Officers are often consulted on key decisions made by the Directors, under the protocol which sets out their relationship with the Directors, the Law Officers will not intervene unless on grounds of national security.
Do you investigate? Can you intervene in a police investigation?
No we have no investigative function. If you are not happy with a police force you can complain to them or the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Do you run the courts?
HM Courts and Tribunals Service is an agency of the Ministry of Justice.
I am unhappy with the Crown Prosecution Service, can you do something about it?
You should first go through the CPS complaints procedure. If that is exhausted and you feel your complaint was not handled properly you can contact us. However, we can only look at the way the complaint was handled, not the complaint itself.
Do you deal with scams and fraudulent activity?
No, and the AGO will never contact any member of the public with unsolicited offers or demands for money. The National Fraud Authority publishes advice on how to spot scams and frauds and how to report them. You can also contact the police.
I am unhappy with my Solicitor, can you investigate them?
The Legal Ombudsman handles complaints about solicitors - if you want to complain about your lawyer please contact the Legal Ombudsman on 0300 555 0333.
I am unhappy with a sentence I think is too low, what can I do?
Not all types of sentences can be looked at as possibly unduly lenient. Please see our Unduly Lenient Sentences pages.
Further contacts:
Home Office
The Home Office is the lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, counter-terrorism and police.
Independent Police Complaints Commission
The IPCC deals with complaints against the police in England and Wales.
Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice has responsibility for different parts of the justice system - the courts, prisons, probation services and attendance centres. It is also responsible for making new laws.
Ministry of Justice: courts
Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service brings together Her Majesty's Courts Service and the Tribunals Service into one integrated agency providing support for the administration of justice in courts and tribunals.
Ministry of Justice: Official Solicitor
The Official Solicitor is an independent statutory office holder. His office (together with that of the Public Trustee) (OSPT) is an arms length body of the Ministry of Justice.
National Fraud Authority
The National Fraud Authority (NFA) works with the counter-fraud community to make fraud more difficult to commit in and against the UK.
Office for Judicial Complaints
The Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC) deals with complaints about the personal conduct of judges.
Contact the AGO:
Attorney General's Office
20 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0NF
General Inquiries: 020 7271 2492
E-Mail addresses:
All queries: correspondenceunit@attorneygeneral.gsi.gov.uk
Freedom of Information matters: foi@attorneygeneral.gsi.gov.uk