Purpose of the Ministry
The Attorney General is the law officer of the Crown and has a legal duty to see that the administration of public affairs is in accordance with the law. As the Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, the Attorney General leads cross government programs and services to attract, settle and integrate newcomers.
Rule of Law
The rule of law is a fundamental principle in a free and democratic society. It means that only laws properly made or created can affect or limit our freedom. No person is above the law and we are all protected by the law and its process.
The Ministry provides prosecution services and also legal services to government in civil matters. Prosecutions are conducted by Crown counsel who, following a police investigation, independently consider whether there is substantial likelihood of conviction based on the available evidence, and, if so, whether the public interest requires a prosecution. Legal services are given to Cabinet, ministries and certain public agencies. The Attorney General does not provide legal advice to the general public.
We provide and fund justice services that enable disputes to be settled out of court. In consultation with the Legal Services Society, we manage the provincial funding of legal aid. We are also responsible for the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program, which assists in the collection of spousal or child maintenance from spouses who have not honoured their court orders to pay such support payments.
Our Key Priorities
Justice Transformation — Early Solutions and Faster Justice
WelcomeBC — Early Newcomer Settlement and Welcoming Communities
The Ministry leads criminal, civil, family and administrative justice transformation to promote early solutions to problems and faster justice. Our responsibilities also include the province’s human rights system and policy support for government’s democratic reform priorities.
The Ministry also provides court services, such as facilities, registry services, and security, to British Columbia courts: the British Columbia Court of Appeal (in four locations), the British Columbia Supreme Court (in 26 locations) and the Provincial Court of British Columbia (in 87 locations). Ninety-eight per cent of British Columbians live within one hour of travel time to a court.
Through WelcomeBC the Ministry designs and delivers programs and services, including English language training and settlement services, through third party agencies. The Ministry also funds communities and organizations to promote multiculturalism and prevent racism.
What we do:
- Give legal advice to government.
- Represent government before courts and tribunals.
- Prosecute criminal matters.
- Fund Legal Aid and Family Maintenance Enforcement.
- Provide family justice counseling.
- Provide services for the operation of the courts.
- Draft legislation.
- Fund the Human Rights system.
- Administer WelcomeBC.
What we don’t do:
- Give legal advice to or represent individuals or groups outside government.
- Pay directly for individuals or groups to have legal representation.
- Interfere with decisions of judges, Crown counsel, or administrative tribunals.
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