France's left-wing justice minister Christiane Taubira was replaced today amid a row over the extension of emergency powers introduced after last year's terrorist attacks in Paris. 

Taubira (pictured) had in particular opposed one proposed measure, to strip dual-nationals convicted of terrorism of their French citizenship. French president Francois Hollande paid tribute to Taubira's achievements since her appointment in 2012, especially in taking a leading role towards the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

Taubira's replacement is Jean-Jacques Urvoas, a former professor of law. Urvoas is seen as a close political ally of prime minister Manuel Valls and a safe pair of hands. 

In a television interview Frederic Sicard, head of the Paris bar, which was frequently at odds with Taubira over legal aid cuts and other justice reforms, described her departure as 'good news in every sense'. 

Earlier this month the Paris bar expressed concern about curbs on civil liberties introduced under the state of emergency introduced after the 13 November attacks. It set up a 'liberty observatory' to monitor threats and proposed reforming the constitution to include an 'habeas corpus à la française'.