The law on the state attorney can be found in the Parliament's collection of laws, 1985 no. 51 June 24.

The Act entered into force on 1 January 1986. Amended by Act No. 83/1997 (entered into force on 6 June 1997), 7/1999 (entered into force on 5 March 1999), l. 47/2006 (entered into force on 1 July 2006) and Act No. 88/2008 (entered into force on 1st Jan 2009, except for the bridge obligation. VII, which entered into force on 21 June 2008).

Article 1
The Office of the Attorney General is an independent body under the authority of the Administrative Council.

The Minister appoints a Attorney General for a term of five years at a time. He or she shall meet the legal requirements for appointment to a position as a judge in the Supreme Court. He or she shall also have the right to speak before the Supreme Court.

Article 2
The Attorney General is in charge of the settlement of claims directed at the Treasury. Ministers may request his or her legal advice on individual issues and assistance in negotiating difficulties.

The Attorney General shall handle the defence of civil actions brought in the courts and arbitration proceedings against the State and the prosecution of civil actions brought by the State against others.

The Attorney General shall, on behalf of the State, make civil claims in criminal cases.

Outside the scope of the profession of The Attorney General there are court cases involving state-owned banks or investment funds. Furthermore, court proceedings for the collection of public dues, holiday funds, business debt or similar claims, unless the Minister concerned requests the assistance of the State Counsellor in handling individual cases. The same applies to matters which are brought before the Wage Council.

Article 3
In addition to him, the Office of the Attorney General employs lawyers to whom the Attorney General can assign individual cases to be handled by the office, as long as they meet the legal requirements to handle such cases. The Attorney General may furthermore entrust the handling of individual cases to Supreme Court or District Court lawyers outside the Office, having obtained the approval of the Government Agency involved.

Article 4
The Minister may, by means of regulations 1) provide for further provisions on the implementation of this Act, including on the division of the cost of matters entrusted to the Attorney General.

Article 5
This Act shall enter into force on 1 January 1986.