In brief: Vice Chancellor's role is extended

The Vice-Chancellor Sir Richard Scott has been appointed head of civil justice by the Lord Chancellor. The decision to extend Sir Richard's responsibilities to cover civil justice is in line with one of the recommendations of Lord Woolf's interim report on reform in this area. Lord Mackay said: "As a senior serving judge, the Vice-Chancellor will be able to provide the leadership and authority required to carry forward the reforms which are required to improve the civil justice system." Sir Richard said the role would be "pivotal" and "challenging". He added: "I feel very honoured to have been asked to undertake it."