Attorney General of Brunei


The Attorney General's Chambers is the public prosecutor of Brunei, and legal adviser to the Government of Brunei. The functions of the attorney general are carried out with the assistance of the deputy attorney-general and the solicitor-general, through the AGC. Moreover, assisting the Royal Brunei Police Force and other enforcement agencies in carrying out their investigations, advising and approving prosecutions.

History

The 1905–1906 Supplementary Agreement created the British Residential system, while the 1908 Enactment, which reorganised the nation's legal system, amended it subsequently. The Court of the Resident, Magistrates of the First and Second Class, Native Magistrates, and tribunals of Kathis were the five categories of tribunals described in this second statute. With the exception of instances involving marriages consummated in accordance with British law, the Court of the Resident served as the principal court for civil and criminal proceedings, having both original and appellate jurisdiction. First Class Magistrates handled more serious crimes and civil disputes up to a specific value, whereas Second Class Magistrates had more restricted jurisdiction. Magistrates' courts were divided into classes. Islamic law matters and Malays were heard by the Native Magistrates and Kathis Courts.
Prior to 1959, the Attorney General of Sarawak handled the role of Legal Adviser for the Bruneian Government, with assistance from a Deputy Legal Adviser based in Brunei. The Attorney General of Brunei was appointed on 29 September 1959, the day the Constitution of Brunei was declared, and as of that date, the Attorney General of Sarawak was no longer the government's legal adviser. In August 2008, the position of Attorney General was promoted to ministerial rank.

Functions

The Attorney General, supported by the solicitor general and counsels, serves as the primary legal advisor to the Sultan and Government of Brunei. In addition to representing the government in civil and criminal proceedings, the Attorney General collaborates with various ministries and departments to draft legislation. Under Article 81 of the Constitution, the Attorney General is empowered to initiate, conduct, or terminate criminal proceedings, with all prosecutions conducted in the name of the public prosecutor, assisted by deputy public prosecutors for trials in both Supreme and Subordinate Courts.
The Attorney General also advises during investigations and prosecutions carried out by the RBPF and other agencies. Key legislation such as the Criminal Procedure Code, Anti-Terrorism Order, and Criminal Asset Recovery Order outlines additional statutory duties for the office. The Attorney General further serves as the Registrar for Registries of Industrial Designs, Marriages, Patents, and Trade Marks, providing essential public services. Appointed by the Sultan, the Attorney General operates independently and can be removed from office at the Sultan's discretion.

List of attorneys general

;Symbols
No.PortraitNameTerm startTerm endTime in officeMonarchRef.
1Tan Sri Datuk
Ali Hassan

29 September 195919 September 1961Omar Ali Saifuddien III
2Tan Sri Dato' Paduka
Abdul Aziz Zain

20 September 196114 January 1963Omar Ali Saifuddien III
3Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Kanun Diraja
Dato Laila Utama
Idris Talog Davies
15 January 196322 July 1977Omar Ali Saifuddien III
4Pengiran Laila Kanun Diraja
Pengiran Bahrin

1 January 197824 June 1998Hassanal Bolkiah
5Dato Seri Paduka
Kifrawi Kifli
24 June 19984 August 2009Hassanal Bolkiah
6Datin Seri Paduka
Hayati Salleh
4 August 200918 August 2018Hassanal Bolkiah
7Dato Paduka
Hairol Arni
18 August 201827 July 2020Hassanal Bolkiah
–Zuraini Sharbawi
27 July 20206 October 2020Hassanal Bolkiah
8Dato Seri Paduka
Ahmad Isa
6 October 202029 February 2024Hassanal Bolkiah
9Datin Seri Paduka
Nor Hashimah Taib
29 February 2024IncumbentHassanal Bolkiah