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Whilst I appreciate that Mr Gove is normally pictured with horns,& a red cape as the author of a fiery hell there is (surprise, surprise) much to commend in his speech IMHO.

If he is to be believed he does 'get' the importance of the rule of law - even over the executive - & the value of independently minded lawyers & judges.

How many lawyers believe that, for example, procedures in the Crown Courts could not stand some improvement?

He doesn't rubbish his immediate predecessor but he does seem to be looking to make future savings not from the pockets of the remaining legal aid lawyers.

So the verdict is - some fine words & some promising ideas, but let's see now what he actually does! The jury is still out on the new Lord Chancellor.