Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 s 22

s 22 Attorney General

(1) The Attorney General for England and Wales shall no longer be Attorney General for Northern Ireland. (2) The First Minister and deputy First Minister, acting jointly, must appoint a person to be Attorney General for Northern Ireland. (3) The Attorney General for Northern Ireland is to be funded by the First Minister and deputy First Minister, acting jointly. (4) The Attorney General for Northern Ireland may appoint staff, but subject to the approval of the First Minister and deputy First Minister as to— (a) numbers, (b) salary, and (c) other conditions of service. (5) The functions of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland shall be exercised by him independently of any other person. (6) A person is not qualified for appointment as Attorney General for Northern Ireland unless he is— (a) a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland of at least ten years’ standing, or (b) a solicitor of the Court of Judicature of at least ten years’ standing. (7) The First Minister and deputy First Minister, acting jointly, must make arrangements for the discharge of the functions of the Attorney General of Northern Ireland during any vacancy in that office.