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Attorney General of Brunei

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Attorney General of Brunei
Peguam Negara Brunei
ڤڬوام نڬارا بروني
since 29 February 2024 (2024-02-29)
Attorney General's Chambers
StyleThe Honourable
(Malay: Yang Berhormat)
TypeAttorney General
Member ofCouncil of Cabinet Ministers
Reports toPrime Minister
SeatAttorney General's Chambers, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
AppointerHassanal Bolkiah
as Sultan of Brunei
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Brunei
PrecursorAttorney General of Sarawak
Formation29 September 1959 (1959-09-29)
First holderAli Hassan
Websitewww.agc.gov.bn

The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC; Malay: Pejabat Peguam Negara) 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 (RBPF) and other enforcement agencies in carrying out their investigations, advising and approving prosecutions.[1]

History

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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.[2]

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.[3] In August 2008, the position of Attorney General was promoted to ministerial rank.[1]

Functions

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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.[3]

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.[3] Appointed by the Sultan, the Attorney General operates independently and can be removed from office at the Sultan's discretion.[4]

List of attorneys general

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Symbols
  Acting attorney general
No. Portrait Name[5] Term start Term end Time in office Monarch Ref.
1 Tan Sri Datuk
Ali Hassan
علي حسن‎
(b.1916) 		29 September 1959 19 September 1961 1 year, 355 days Omar Ali Saifuddien III [6][7]
2 Tan Sri Dato' Paduka
Abdul Aziz Zain
عبدالعزيز زاين‎
(1922–2012) 		20 September 1961 14 January 1963 1 year, 116 days Omar Ali Saifuddien III [8]
3 Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Kanun Diraja
Dato Laila Utama
Idris Talog Davies
(1917–1977) 		15 January 1963 22 July 1977 14 years, 188 days[a] Omar Ali Saifuddien III [9][10]
4 Pengiran Laila Kanun Diraja
Pengiran Bahrin
ڤڠيرن بهرين‎
(b.1946) 		1 January 1978 24 June 1998 20 years, 235 days Hassanal Bolkiah [11]
5 Dato Seri Paduka
Kifrawi Kifli
كيفراوي كيفلي‎ 		24 June 1998 4 August 2009 10 years, 345 days Hassanal Bolkiah [12]
6 Datin Seri Paduka
Hayati Salleh
حياتي صالح‎ 		4 August 2009 18 August 2018 9 years, 14 days[b] Hassanal Bolkiah [12]
7 Dato Paduka
Hairol Arni
هايرول ارني‎ 		18 August 2018 27 July 2020 1 year, 344 days[c] Hassanal Bolkiah [13][14]
– Zuraini Sharbawi
ذورايني شرباوي‎ 		27 July 2020 6 October 2020 71 days[d] Hassanal Bolkiah [14][15]
8 Dato Seri Paduka
Ahmad Isa
احمد عيسى‎ 		6 October 2020 29 February 2024 3 years, 146 days Hassanal Bolkiah [15][16]
9 Datin Seri Paduka
Nor Hashimah Taib
نور هشيمه طائب‎ 		29 February 2024 Incumbent 267 days Hassanal Bolkiah [17]

Notes

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  1. ^ Died in office between 21 and 22 July 1977.
  2. ^ First female officeholder.
  3. ^ Tenure suddenly terminated on 27 July 2020.
  4. ^ Replacement for Hairol Arni.

References

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  1. ^ a b Sidhu, Jatswan S. (2009-12-22). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-8108-7078-9.
  2. ^ "CHAPTER 1-HISTORICAL OVERVIEW" (PDF). ASEAN Law Association. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  3. ^ a b c "Overview". Attorney General's Chambers. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  4. ^ "Brunei Darussalam 1959 (rev. 2006)". Constitute Project. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  5. ^ "History". Attorney General's Chambers. 2020. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  6. ^ "PENASIHAT UNDANG2 N. SEMBILAN DI-UMUMKAN JADI PEGUAM NEGARA" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 29 September 1959. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  7. ^ The Bar list of the United Kingdom: 1977. Stevens & Sons. 1977. p. 399. ISBN 978-0-420-45230-6.
  8. ^ "PEGUAM NEGARA" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 18 October 1961. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  9. ^ "The London Gazette" (PDF). www.thegazette.co.uk. 1977-11-14. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  10. ^ State of Brunei: Annual Report 1977. Brunei Press. 1977.
  11. ^ The Malayan Law Journal. Malaya Publishing House Limited. 1978. p. 228.
  12. ^ a b Stephen, Ignatius (2009-08-05). "Sultan appoints first Bruneian Chief Justice". www.sultanate.com. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  13. ^ "Appointment of Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Haji Hairol Arni bin Haji Abdul Majid as Attorney General". State Judiciary Department. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  14. ^ a b Bandial, Ain (2020-10-05). "Brunei sees appointment of new Attorney General". The Scoop. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  15. ^ a b Ain Bandial (2020-10-05). "Brunei sees appointment of new Attorney General". thescoop.co. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  16. ^ "Chair – ALA Brunei Darussalam". ASEAN Law Association. 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  17. ^ "New appointment of Attorney General". Borneo Bulletin Online. 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
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