The attorney-general is appointed by the president, on the advice of the prime minister, under Article 35 of the Constitution of Singapore.

The attorney-general's role as the Government's legal adviser is performed by the AGC's Civil Division.

[6] Between the grant of the Second Charter of Justice in 1826 and the formation of the Crown colony of the Straits Settlements in 1867, the function of legal adviser to the government in Singapore was vested in various offices.

Subsequently, the Japanese military administration established the office of Kensatsu-kan, or Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor,[8] presumably on 27 May 1942 when the civilian courts were re-opened by proclamation.

Following the Republic of Singapore's independence on 9 August 1965, Ahmad Mohamed Ibrahim became the country's first attorney-general.

[12] In September 2020, the AGC conducted a prosecutorial review for a wrongful conviction case[15] of a domestic worker accused of a crime.