The Law Society has welcomed the new lord chancellor - with a call for the curbs on jury trials proposed by his predecessor to be dropped.

Responding to yesterday’s appointment of Alex Norris MP (pictured), Society president Mark Evans said: 'The new lord chancellor has a golden opportunity to resurrect our justice system – a vital public service.

'Our courts are under immense pressure, with backlogs delaying justice for communities. The new UK government must move quickly to set out a comprehensive, whole-system plan to implement Sir Brian Leveson’s recommendations [on reducing the courts backlog]. This should include sustained investment in people, infrastructure and technology.

'Any efforts to reduce court backlogs must not come at the expense of fundamental safeguards. Jury trials must be protected to ensure public confidence in our justice system.'

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Turning to legal aid, Evans said the service has been underfunded for too long. 'The government should urgently review the means test and regularly increase legal aid fees at least in line with inflation. This will ensure everyone can access the legal support they need. This is why we continue to campaign to level the playing field for families and wider communities.'

He also urged the new lord chancellor to use the legal sector as an engine of growth. 'He can do this by investing in skills and apprenticeships, boosting tech adoption and putting legal services at the heart of our trade strategy.'

Evans said that the Law Society 'stands ready to work with the lord chancellor and wider government to deliver a justice system that is efficient, productive, resilient and accessible to all'.