City Solicitor

Descriptive Data

Date Range1863-1993DescriptionFrom its earliest establishment the Council required legal services and opinions in order to set up its administration and operate its business regarding land, properties, streets and roading. The Solicitor dealt with the full range of legal concerns, from advising on parliamentary legislation and by-laws to dealing with the implications of drainage works on private property.

From 1863 Charles Borlase, a solicitor for the Wellington Province and a Commissioner for the Town Board, Board of Works and then a City Councillor, acted as the City Solicitor. In February 1871 the Attorney General informed the Council that "a member of the Council cannot act as Solicitor", so the role was advertised, the duties described as "consultations, advise generally, and occasional attendance at the Board when the assistance of a Solicitor might be useful in relation to legal points".

After this, solicitors based in legal firms were retained on a contract basis. In 1903 an in-house legal advisor was appointed as City Solicitor, working in the Town Hall building. As the volume of legal work increased additional staff were taken on, the City Solicitor managing the City Solicitor's Department. From 1965 the Department was restructured and the legal function moved to within the Town Clerk' Department. From 1985 a Legal and Property Management Department was established, amalgamating the City Solicitor’s and the City Valuer’s Departments.

With the impending departure of the City Solicitor in 1992 a review of the provision of legal services was carried out. As a result, the role (and Department) was disestablished on 12 March 1993 and all legal services contracted out.

Related People

Person in RoleThomas Frederick MartinDates in Role1884-1904

Related Agency

Related AgencyCity Solicitor

Related Agency

Related AgencyCity Solicitor's Department

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City Solicitor