---
title: O.C.G.A. § 45-12-26. Defense of action in which state has interest.
collection: code
id: 45-12-26
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 45-12-26 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-12-26
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-12-26.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-12-26/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t45-(v33)-2016-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=cde47f8a_0#page=299
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/45-12.md
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES / GOVERNOR / POWERS AND DUTIES GENERALLY
---

# O.C.G.A. § 45-12-26. Defense of action in which state has interest.

Unless otherwise specially provided for, the Governor, in his discretion, shall provide for the defense of any action instituted against the state or any action instituted against any person, the result of which is of interest to the state because of any claim inconsistent with the state’s sovereignty, jurisdiction, or rights.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 24; Code 1868, § 22; Code 1873, § 22; Code 1882, § 22; Civil Code 1895, § 23; Civil Code 1910, § 23; Code 1933, § 40-209.

## Cross References

Power of Governor to direct Department of Law to institute and prosecute matters, proceedings, and litigations in name of state, § 45-15-35.

## Law Reviews

For note, ‘‘Perdue v. Baker: Who Has the Ultimate Power Over Litigation on Behalf of the State of Georgia — The Governor or the Attorney General?,’’ see 21 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 751 (2005).