(1) There shall be appointed by the Central Government, a Chief Law Officer and as many Law Officers as the Central Government may deem necessary.
(2) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as Chief Law Officer unless he--
(a) is a citizen of India; and
(b) has for at least ten years held a judicial office in the territory of India; or
(c) has for at least ten years been an advocate of a High Court or two or more such Courts in succession:
Provided that the Central Government may, if it is of opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do in the exigencies of service, relax, for reasons to be recorded in writing, the qualification specified in clause (b) or clause (c) in respect of any person.
(3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as Law Officer unless he--
(a) is a citizen of India, and
(b) is qualified for enrolment as an advocate of a High Court.
Explanation.-- For the purposes of this section,--
(a) in computing the period during which a person has been an advocate of a High Court, there shall be included any period during which the person has held a judicial office after he became an advocate;
(b) the expression "judicial office" shall be deemed to include the post of Law Officer.
Section 116 - Functions of Chief Law Officer
(1) It shall be the duty of the Chief Law Officer to perform such duties of a legal and judicial character pertaining to the Coast Guard as may, from time to time, be referred or assigned to him by the Central Government or the Director-General, and to discharge the functions conferred on him by or under this Act.
(2) The functions of the Chief Law Officer shall, in his absence or otherwise, be performed by Such Law Officer as may be designated in this behalf by the Director-General.