Martin Partington: Spotlight on the Justice System

In the good old days, Lord Chancellors came and went comparatively infrequently. Unlike their possibly more ‘political’ colleagues, Lord Chancellors seemed to float above the hurly-burly of day-to-day politics.

The reforms to the post of Lord Chancellor, introduced by the government of Tony Blair, resulted in major changes to the role and thus the office holder.

No longer did they have to be in the House of Lords. They no longer had to be professionally qualified as lawyers. In the last 2 and a half years, there have been no fewer than 4 Lord Chancellors.

The latest appointee, in January 2018, is David Gauke. Unlike his immediate predecessors, he is qualified as a Solicitor and has had experience of private legal practice.

I do not anticipate major changes of policy to arise from this new appointment. The Ministry of Justice is engaged in major programmes of work on the justice system, the prison system, legal aid – among others. What I think is needed is a period of stability to ensure that these important initiatives are actually delivered.

For further information see https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/secretary-of-state-for-justice

You can read the Lord Chancellor’s speech at his swearing in ceremony at https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/lord-chancellor-swearing-in-speech-david-gauke

You can see him deliver this speech at https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/announcements/live-stream-swearing-in-of-the-new-lord-chancellor-the-right-honourable-david-gauke-mp/