Crown Law Office, Government legal department in Wellington, New Zealand.
The Crown Law Office is the central legal department serving the New Zealand government and is housed on the fifth floor of the Justice Centre at 19 Aitken Street in Thorndon. Staff here handle public law matters and criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state.
Founded in 1875, this office marked a turning point when New Zealand appointed its first non-political solicitor-general, Walter Scott Reid, establishing professional independence in government legal work. The creation of this position reflected the country's commitment to separating law from politics.
The Māori name Te Tari Ture o te Karauna appears on official documents and reflects how the government honors both language traditions in its institutions. Walking through the building, you encounter this bilingual approach woven into everyday office life.
This office is located on the fifth floor of a modern government building in central Wellington during regular business hours. Remember that this is an active government workplace and not open for casual visits like a public tourist site.
This office oversees a network of Crown Solicitors throughout the country who handle prosecutions while also maintaining their own private legal practices at the same time. This dual arrangement is uncommon and sets New Zealand's system apart from most other nations.
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