Constitution of the Republic of Singapore
—(1) The office of Attorney-General is hereby constituted and
The Executive
- Jurisdiction
- Singapore
- Provision
- 35
- Source language
- English
- Recorded status
- in force
More details
- Recorded status
- in force
Provision text
Official source35.—(1) The office of Attorney-General is hereby constituted and
appointments thereto shall be made by the President, if he, acting in
his discretion, concurs with the advice of the Prime Minister, from
among persons who are qualified for appointment as a Supreme Court
Judge.
[38/2019]
(2) When it is necessary to make an appointment to the office of
Attorney‑General otherwise than by reason of the death of the holder
of that office or his removal from office under clause (6), the Prime
Minister shall, before tendering advice to the President under
clause (1), consult the person holding the office of
Attorney‑General or, if that office is then vacant, the person who
has last vacated it, and the Prime Minister shall, in every case, before
tendering such advice, consult the Chief Justice and the Chairman of
the Public Service Commission.
(3) The Prime Minister shall not be obliged to consult any person
under clause (2) if he is satisfied that by reason of the infirmity of
body or mind of that person or for any other reason it is impracticable
to do so.
(4) The Attorney‑General may be appointed for a specific period
and, if he was so appointed, shall, subject to clause (6), vacate his
office (without prejudice to his eligibility for reappointment) at the
expiration of that period, but, subject as aforesaid, shall otherwise
hold office until he attains the age of 60 years:
Provided that —
(a) he may at any time resign his office by writing under his
hand addressed to the President; and
(b) the President, if he, acting in his discretion, concurs with
the advice of the Prime Minister, may permit an Attorney-
General who has attained the age of 60 years to remain in
office for such fixed period as may have been agreed
between the Attorney‑General and the Government.
(5) Nothing done by the Attorney‑General shall be invalid by
reason only that he has attained the age at which he is required by this
Article to vacate his office.
(6) (a) The Attorney‑General may be removed from office by the
President, if he, acting in his discretion, concurs with the advice of the
Prime Minister, but the Prime Minister shall not tender such advice
except for inability of the Attorney‑General to discharge the functions
of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any
other cause) or for misbehaviour and except with the concurrence of a
tribunal consisting of the Chief Justice and 2 other Supreme Court
Judges nominated for that purpose by the Chief Justice.
(b) The tribunal constituted under this clause shall regulate its own
procedure and may make rules for that purpose.
[38/2019]
(7) It shall be the duty of the Attorney-General to advise the
Government upon such legal matters and to perform such other duties
of a legal character, as may from time to time be referred or assigned
to him by the President or the Cabinet and to discharge the functions
conferred on him by or under this Constitution or any other written
law.
(8) The Attorney‑General shall have power, exercisable at his
discretion, to institute, conduct or discontinue any proceedings for
any offence.
(9) In the performance of his duties, the Attorney‑General shall
have the right of audience in, and shall take precedence over any other
person appearing before, any court or tribunal in Singapore.
(10) The Attorney‑General shall be paid such remuneration and
allowances as may from time to time be determined and such
remuneration and allowances shall be charged on and paid out of the
Consolidated Fund.
(11) Subject to this Article, the terms of service of the
Attorney‑General shall either —
(a) be prescribed in regulations made by the President and
published in the Gazette; or
(b) (in so far as they are not determined by or under any such
law) be determined by the President.
[39/2014]
(11A) Regulations made under clause (11)(a) may provide that any
gratuity payable in respect of service as the Attorney‑General shall be
charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund.
[39/2014]
(12) The terms of service of the Attorney‑General shall not be
altered to his disadvantage during his continuance in office.
(13) For the purposes of clause (12), in so far as the terms of service
of the Attorney‑General depend upon his option, any terms for which
he opts shall be taken to be more advantageous to him than any for
which he might have opted.
Deputy Attorneys-General
Source record
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Constitution of the Republic of Singapore · sso.agc.gov.sg · Retrieved 18 August 2026.
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