Until the advent of responsible government, ExecutiveCouncils existed primarily to advise the governor of the colony, dominion or realm.
ExecutiveCouncils still have the power to make far-reaching administrative and legal decisions affecting their jurisdictions known as Orders-in-Council.
These Councils have almost the same functions as the Privy Council in the United Kingdom, and accordingly, decisions of the Cabinet gain legal effect by being formally adopted by the ExecutiveCouncil.