The job of attorney-general - to be renamed secretary of justice after June 30 - is one of the toughest in government, requiring a wide range of skills and experience.
John Griffiths QC, who held the position between 1979 and 1983, said problems faced by the Government's top lawyer would range from deciding whether a man dying of cancer should face a criminal trial to providing expert advice when difficult legislation was being introduced.
As head of the Legal Department - also to get a new name, the department of justice - the secretary of justice takes ultimate responsibility for bringing criminals to justice, drafting new laws and defending the Government's position in court.
Some sensitive laws, such as those dealing with official secrets, require the secretary of justice to authorise prosecution.
Mr Griffiths said the job called for 'a good lawyer with wide experience who is consistently fair-minded and has political skills'.
The day to day work of the secretary of justice involves regular meetings with bosses of the different divisions within the Legal Department.