In the event the Law Department declines to advise or render legal services to the Council in any matter and whenever the Council is conducting an investigation relating to the executive and administrative branch of the City government, the Council may employ and fix the compensation of counsel of its own selection to handle such matter or to assist in conducting such investigation. In all other cases it shall obtain legal advice and services exclusively from the Law Department.

ANNOTATION

Sources: No specific source.

Purposes: The Law Department is designated as counsel for the Council as well as for the executive branch of the government. However, provision is made for Council obtaining its own counsel in the event the Law Department declines to act or whenever Council is making an investigation of the executive branch of the government. Under such circumstances Council is assured independence from the executive branch in order to enable it to function properly.