Wanted - a distinguished lawyer to be Australia's second law officer, able to get on with his boss Attorney-General George Brandis.
That follows the resignation of Solicitor-General Justin Gleeson SC on Monday following an unseemly and damaging row with Senator Brandis.
He held this job for three and a half years.
Senator Brandis announced Mr Gleeson's decision on Monday afternoon with the release of his blistering resignation letter.
"I have come to this decision with great regret, but the best interests of the Commonwealth can be served only when its first and second law officers enjoy each other's complete trust and confidence within a mutually respectful relationship," wrote Mr Gleeson.
"When such a relationship is irretrievably broken, as is the case here, and each law officer holds a term of office established by the constitution or statute which will not expire in the near future, there must be some resolution to the impasse."
Mr Gleeson said he decided to step down because Senator Brandis, as an elected Member of Parliament, holds his office through the will of the people.
But he did not take a backwards step regarding the row the pair have been having over the Attorney-General's directive in May that every approach to the Solicitor-General for advice had to go through his office.
"My decision does not amount to a withdrawal of any position I have taken in relation to matters of controversy between us," the letter states.
