Department of Law (Kerala)
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Minister responsible |
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| Department executive |
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| Website | https://lawsect.kerala.gov.in/ |
The Law Department is a department of the Government of Kerala responsible for the legal and legislative affairs of the State. The Law Department functions as a distinct and independent department within the Government Secretariat, entrusted with the legal and legislative responsibilities of the State Government. It has its headquarters in Kerala Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram.[1]
Governance and administration
The department is under the charge of the minister for law. The incumbent minister for law is P. Rajeev.[2][3]
It is administratively headed by the Law Secretary, supported by additional, joint, deputy, and under secretaries at the Secretariat.
The Law Secretary is usually a judicial officer, unlike in other government departments where the Secretary to Government is typically an IAS officer.[4] The incumbent Law Secretary to Government is K. G. Sanal Kumar.[4]
Functions
The department provides legal advice to the Government, drafts and scrutinises legislation, ordinances, rules, and notifications, and handles matters related to government litigation.[5]
- General administration of the department
- Legislative drafting and related work, including:
- Preparation of legislative proposals
- Legislative project
- Legislation[6]
- Unification of laws
- Legal advice to government departments
- Subsidiary Legislation
- Publications, including statutory materials
- Translation of legal and legislative documents
Autonomous institutions
- Office of the Advocate General, Kerala[7]
- Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC)
- Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA)
See also
- Government of Kerala
- Directorate of Prosecution (Kerala)
- Kerala Legislative Assembly
- High Court of Kerala
References
- ^ "The Kerala Law Department Manual" (PDF). Law Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2024-06-27). "Law department looking into rule amendment on tree-felling on title deed land: Minister". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "SC Verdict on Governors and Bills a Win for Democracy, Says Kerala Law Minister". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
- ^ a b S 5931, Sudhi K. (2023-07-24). "K.G. Sanal Kumar is new Law Secretary". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "The Kerala Law Department Manual" (PDF). Law Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2025-07-04). "State to enact legislation to mitigate man-animal conflict". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Finance dept opposes, but CM disposes big pay hike to Kerala law officers". www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 2025-12-02.