Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS is a printed circular sent to all Heads of Departments, with the day of issue inserted by hand.

Circular

Chief Secretary's Office.

Melbourne, 27th October 1870

Sir

By a communication from the Honorable the Attorney-General, the Chief Secretary is informed that much loss of time is occasioned by the loose manner in which cases for opinion are frequently brought before him. In order to obviate the inconvenience complained of, it is considered advisable by Sir James McCulloch to lay down the rule that Officers of his division of the Service desiring to obtain legal advice from the Law Department shall in future, instead of forwarding the entire correspondence, which may contain much matter that has no bearing on the point at issue, prepare a memorandum containing a clear statement of the case on which an opinion is wanted, setting out the leading facts, and transmit it, accompanied by such papers as may be necessary for reference, in the first instance to this office, when, if the Chief Secretary thinks it essential to obtain legal advice, the statement will be sent to the Crown Solicitor, to be brought by him in proper form under the consideration of the Law Officers.

I have the honor to request that you will note these instructions and cause them to be recorded in your office.

The Heads of Departments.