The Egyptian State Lawsuits Authority (ESLA) is an Egyptian judicial institution that resembles, in respect of competencies, the Office of the Solicitor General in common law systems. Organizationally, it is divided into several departments, each of which is competent to represent the state before a specified kind of courts with respect to jurisdiction. The Authority represents the interests of the state in a variety of areas before national and international courts and arbitral tribunals. Under the applicable law, the Egyptian State Lawsuits Authority is granted the power to proceed to plead on behalf of the state even if the state itself does not like to do so and vice versa. Under Article 196 of the Egyptian Constitution, ESLA is also competent to propose settlements and draft contracts. Members of ESLA enjoy all the legal, social and financial privileges granted to judges.