Burnham elevated Ellie Reeves to attorney general and named Andy Slaughter solicitor general
Andy Burnham marked his first day as UK prime minister with the removal of lord chancellor David Lammy from his post, reported the Law Society Gazette.
Burnham installed non-lawyer Alex Norris as Lammy’s replacement on Tuesday July 21, becoming the first Labour prime minister to put a non-lawyer in the lord chancellor role according to the Gazette. Norris, who was previously minister for border security and asylum in the Home Office, is only the fifth non-lawyer to step into the role after Chris Grayling, Michael Gove, Liz Truss, and David Lidington.
Norris will also serve as secretary of state for justice. Law Society of England and Wales president Mark Evans welcomed the appointment, saying in a statement published by the Gazette that Norris had “a golden opportunity to resurrect our justice system.”
“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,” Evans said in a statement published by the Gazette. “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.”
In February, Lammy had introduced the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which proposes a reduction in jury trials, to UK parliament. Norris’ appointment could impact the bill’s progress, the Gazette noted.
Evans also raised the underfunding of the legal aid system and the need for investment in the legal sector through skills and apprenticeships, technology adoption, and the incorporation of legal services into trade strategy, leveraging Norris’ background as a trade union official. Evans voiced the Law Society’s openness to working with Norris in his new role.
Lammy, whose departure had been expected per the Gazette, wished Burnham and his new Cabinet success in a post on social media platform. He said it had been a privilege for him to be part of Keir Starmer’s administration as foreign secretary, justice secretary, and the first Black deputy prime minister in Britain.
James Timpson also resigned as prisons minister on Monday July 20.
New attorney general, solicitor general
Another expected departure was that of attorney general Richard Hermer, who was replaced by Ellie Reeves after Burnham promoted her from solicitor general on Tuesday. Reeves, an Oxford graduate, focused her practice on employment rights and acted for trade union members.
Commons justice select committee chair Andy Slaughter took over the role of solicitor general, though he will not attend Cabinet according to the Gazette. He once practised as a barrister and became shadow justice minister under Ed Miliband. He was also shadow solicitor general under Starmer.
Burnham officially became prime minister on Monday.
