The Legal Department provides advice to the state court administrator and to other units of the Unified Judicial System while assisting in various administrative areas such as negotiating leases, assisting in procurement matters and planning and implementing the Judicial Computer System and statewide automation programs.

The department represents judges and other UJS personnel in state and federal litigation. This representation is not provided in criminal or disciplinary actions. Actions involving UJS personnel often include suits filed in federal district courts that raise civil rights and constitutional issues. Typical state court proceedings involving court personnel pertain to petitions for review of governmental actions, petitions to determine the rights and duties of public officials, and appeals.