First solicitor lord chancellor welcomed to role

David Gauke MP, the first solicitor to be appointed lord chancellor, has been officially welcomed into his role, pledging to uphold the rule of law and independence of the judiciary.

The former Macfarlanes solicitor and MP for South West Hertfordshire said it was honour to be the first solicitor to be appointed to the role. As well as praising the UK’s legal services sector he was quick to stress his commitment to judicial independence, saying judges should be free to make informed judgments on law ‘without fear or favour’.

District, High and Supreme Court judges were joined by the chairs of the solicitors’ and barristers’ professions to welcome Gauke to the role. It is the third time a lord chancellor has been sworn in in just 18 months.

Gauke added: ‘It is an honour to be the first solicitor to be appointed to this role. I take this affirmation seriously, to uphold the rule of law and independence of the judiciary, which is fundamental to our way of life.’ He added that he was looking forward to working on modernising the courts and ensuring that the UK and London remain a global leader for legal services post Brexit.

He concluded: 'I will be steadfast in my commitment to defend the independence of the judiciary and respect the rule of law, and I will be determined in our work to create a justice system that is open to all, a justice system that everyone in the country can have confidence in, and one that lives up to the deep-rooted sense of justice and fairness the United Kingdom is known for around the world.'

Law Society president Joe Egan said he was delighted that a solicitor now holds such high political and legal office. He noted that the duties of a lord chancellor go beyond those of a secretary of state. 'They go beyond responsibility to the cabinet or to the department because they include a duty to serve the interests of justice, to protect the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary,' Egan added. 

He said the legal profession is faced with 'unprecedented structural, economic and regulatory challenges' as the country withdraws from the EU. 'But, together with colleagues from the judiciary and the bar, the Law Society is here to support the government in addressing these challenges.'

Bar chair Andrew Walker echoed calls to respect the rule of law and judicial independence. ‘Recognition of an independent judiciary and respect for the rule of law should be reaffirmed on a regular basis and that should extend to parliament,’ he said.