The Civil Division provides legal advice on civil law to the Government, including providing advice on civil law aspects of any proposed legislation. The division also advises and represents the Government and other related public bodies in the conduct of all civil claims and disputes involving the Government before courts, tribunals and arbitrators, and provides counsel to the Insider Dealing Tribunal. The division also provided legal services for the Government's public works construction programme until October 1998, when responsibility was passed to the Legal Advisory Division of Works Bureau. It advises and represents the Government in the conduct of all civil claims and disputes involving the Government. Counsel in the unit act as solicitors and barristers in relation to such litigation.
Some work is briefed out to private barristers, solicitors and experts.
The Debt Collection Unit within the division is responsible for the conduct of Government debt collection work and attending related Small Claims Tribunal and Court proceedings. Top Commercial Unit Advisory work on commercial law is generated both by Government's own commercial activities and by Government regulation of utilities and of certain commercial services provided to the community. The work includes advising on the negotiation, drafting and interpretation of contracts. In addition, Government has statutory responsibility for the regulation of certain commercial activities. The unit advises both in respect of the content and exercise of statutory regulatory powers.