"This book is a pioneer in undertaking a full- scale examination of the office of solicitor-general and in analysing and explaining the functions and responsibilities which attach to that office." -- Journal of the Commonwealth Lawyers' Association "Appleby's book has the virtue of asserting a more principled and high-minded approach to the office that is likely to form the basis of the future understanding of the office." -- UNSW Law Journal "There is no doubt that the author has managed to describe and create an interest in the office of the Solicitor-General, which up until now has been little known and of a lesser interest to the legal community, let alone the general public. It is hoped that the publication of this book will stimulate both law academics and students to gain a greater knowledge of an office, which as the text has illustrated, can have a significant bearing on Australian Constitutional issues." -- Legal Education Digest "(.) this is a book of outstanding utility and quality. Appleby has combined research and analysis in a practical, illuminating and interesting manner. Her integration of the history and experience of the office of the Solicitor-General into the constitutional setting is illuminating, and gives rise to numerous practical and theoretical issues, with which she grapples.

There is plenty of material to stimulate discussion about the office and functions of the Solicitor-General." -- Adelaide Law Review "This book is at once topical and important, drawing on a legal, historical, comparative and empirical analysis to illuminate the depth, breadth, nuance and richness of the Solicitor General's role" -- Social & Legal Studies "Dr Appleby has carefully drawn many threads together to reach conclusions about the unique aspects of this peculiar legal office. It is not only a learned work; it is also a vivid and readable work. It is also an entirely original work based on her personal and fresh research. That it was the product not of an experienced academic but of a student writing her PhD thesis is remarkable." -- Australian Law Journal "The enduring value of Appleby's book is that it gives a comprehensive, and principled, analysis of the office in both theory and practice. The rarity of this book is that it was published moments before it was most urgently needed." -- Australian Journal of Administrative Law.