New prime minister Rishi Sunak has appointed Dominic Raab MP to his former post as lord chancellor, deputy prime minister and justice secretary after dismissing Brandon Lewis in one of the first moves of his reshuffle. Raab's reappointment suggests that his Bill of Rights bill - introduced in June but put on hold under Lewis - will resume its progress through parliament. 

The reshuffle also brings Suella Braverman MP back as home secretary, six days after her resignation from the Liz Truss government. 

Lewis, who backed Truss in the last Conservative party leadership election, said in his resignation letter that he was proud to have been appointed lord chancellor and justice secretary last month, 'and to have signed the Proclamation of His Majesty The King in the role'.

'I have enjoyed working with the many brilliant and dedicated teams of officials across the Ministry of Justice. Our frontline prisons, probation and courts staff truly are hidden heroes,' he said in his resignation letter, which he posted on Twitter at lunchtime.

Ending the criminal bar strike was a priority for Lewis, who opened negotiations with the Criminal Bar Association shortly after his appointment.

He said: ‘It has been a tough time for our country, and the criminal justice system is no different. In my first few days as lord chancellor I met the Criminal Bar Association and agreed a new package that has brought to an end the criminal barristers’ strike that was paralysing our courts. We have taken a big step forward in confronting the courts backlog and ensuring that victims get access to the justice they deserve.

'I have also radically expanded our world-leading electronic monitoring project for acquisitive crime. This close supervision will mean police and probation officers are able to impose robustrestrictions on the burglars and thieves who blight communities and keep an even closer eye on them when they leave prison to prevent them returning to a life of crime.

'The critical importance of the whole justice system to our country cannot be overstated. It underpins all we do, all we achieve, and all we believe in. I am honoured to have played a part in securing its sustainability for the long term, better supporting victims, and keeping people safe.'

Lewis may have been in post less than two months but he has already made a lasting impression as lord chancellor and justice secretary - his name prominently appears on two foundation stones that were unveiled last week to mark the beginning of construction of a 18-court complex in London's Square Mile.

This afternoon, Downing Street confirmed that Lewis's predecessor, Dominic Raab, had been appointed deputy prime minister, lord chancellor and justice secretary.

At the top of Raab's in-tray will be the government's full response to the independent legal aid review, which is due to be published next month. 

Law Society president Lubna Shuja said the justice system must be a key priority for Sunak.

'We call on the new prime minister to fix our chronically underfunded justice system and commit to implementing the full 15% criminal legal aid rate increase, which was the minimum recommended by Lord Bellamy. The civil legal aid review – which has been on pause since 2018 – must be launched urgently to ensure timely access to justice for all. 

'Solicitors are feeling the squeeze of the increasing cost of doing business. [Sunak] must take action to ensure that our professional services sector can not only survive but thrive, and drive growth in our economy.'

Bar chair Mark Fenhalls KC said: 'I have written to the lord chancellor to congratulate him on his re-appointment. It is essential that public confidence in law and order is restored and we are keen to work with him and his colleagues to improve the justice system and clear the backlogs in all jurisdictions. We recognise that these are incredibly difficult economic times, but justice is at the core of our country’s values and is an essential public service that must be properly maintained.'

8pm update: Victoria Prentis MP, called to the bar in 1995 and a former civil servant in the Treasury Solicitor's Department, has been appointed attorney general. 

Prentis said: 'I am delighted to be returning to the law, having spent 17 years as a government lawyer before being elected to parliament. I want to thank my predecessor Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP who twice served in the role and has left me with such a strong record to build upon.

'One of my first priorities is to continue the government’s work in rebuilding confidence in our justice system, particularly with victims.'

Barrister Michael Tomlinson MP has been reappointed as solicitor general for England and Wales.

 

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