Federal Law provides that the head of an executive department may request an opinion of the Attorney General on questions of law arising in the administration of his/her department[i].

The Attorney General renders opinions on questions of law[ii] and questions in which the US has an interest[iii].  Also, the Attorney General renders opinion only if the question raises a substantial and genuine issue of law[iv].

The Attorney General refuses to render opinion on,

• hypothetical questions[v].
• moot questions[vi].
• questions of fact[vii].
• questions as to jurisdiction of court[viii].
• questions involving payment of money[ix].
• questions of administrative discretion or policy[x].
• disputed facts[xi].
• departmental regulations[xii].
• judicial questions[xiii].
• effect or interpretation of pending legislation or regulations[xiv].
• questions from cases no longer pending[xv].

Thus the Attorney General renders opinion only on questions of law.  While rendering an opinion the Attorney General will not give a speculative opinion on an abstract question of law[xvi].  Also the Attorney General will not review the opinion of a former Attorney General, unless a proper case is submitted by a Department head[xvii].

[i] 28 USCS § 512

[ii] 25 Op. Atty Gen. 584

[iii] 2 Op. Atty Gen. 311

[iv] 43 Op. Atty Gen. 286

[v] 11 Op. Atty Gen. 189

[vi] 21 Op. Atty Gen. 509

[vii] 1 Op. Atty Gen. 346

[viii] 11 Op. Atty Gen. 407

[ix] 21 Op. Atty Gen. 181

[x] 28 Op. Atty Gen. 127

[xi] 3 Op. Atty Gen. 1

[xii] 18 Op. Atty Gen. 521

[xiii] 38 Op. Atty Gen. 1

[xiv] 12 Op. Atty Gen. 433

[xv] 12 Op. Atty Gen. 433

[xvi] 11 Op. Atty Gen. 189

[xvii] ibid