Counsel to the Clerk

The Counsel to the Clerk of the Privy Council Secretariat provides legal advice and support to the Prime Minister, the Privy Council Office (PCO) and the PCO ministers on a wide variety of issues.

This includes matters relating to:

• Exercise of statutory authority;
• Preparation of draft legislation;
• Confidentiality of Cabinet deliberations;
• Senior personnel issues;
• Security and intelligence issues;
• Commissions of inquiry;
• Federal electoral systems and initiatives.

The secretariat is also involved in litigation involving PCO or with government-wide implications.

Further Reading

The Role and Structure of the Privy Council Office (2007)