Ex-Macfarlanes lawyer becomes sixth Lord Chancellor in eight years

Ex-Macfarlanes lawyer David Gauke has been promoted to Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice in Theresa May’s Cabinet reshuffle.

He replaces David Lidington, who has in turn been promoted to Cabinet Office minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Unlike his four immediate predecessors in the Justice Department, Gauke is a qualified lawyer.

While – at least until recently – Lord Chancellors have traditionally been barristers, Gauke is a qualified solicitor. He trained at Richards Butler (now Reed Smith), before working at Macfarlanes. He was elected MP for South West Hertfordshire in 2005.

Chris Grayling became the first non-lawyer Lord Chancellor for over 400 years when he was appointed in 2012. He was followed by another three MPs with no legal qualifications in Michael Gove, Liz Truss and David Lidington, who took over from Truss in June last year.

Truss’s time in the department was largely viewed negatively by lawyers, and she came under fire for not more strongly defending judges following attacks on the judiciary by the Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and Daily Express.

Lidington’s appointment was cautiously welcomed by the profession; however, he has had little time to put his stamp on the role before what is essentially a promotion to deputy Prime Minister. While he has not been given the title of First Secretary of State, he will stand in for Theresa May at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Gauke is the third Justice Secretary in May’s time as Prime Minister, the fourth since 2015, and the sixth in eight years of Conservative government – a fact that in itself has raised the ire of lawyers.

The justice system has been massively de-prioritised by the last few governments.

No better indication than the regular almost careless turnover of Justice Secretaries: Ken Clarke, Chris Grayling, Liz Truss, Michael Gove, David Liddington all since 2010 and now… who?

— Adam Wagner (@AdamWagner1) January 8, 2018

If this is so, it demonstrates Theresa May’s utter contempt for the justice system. An inconvenient appendage of government, to be shuffled and filled as whim and caprice demand. https://t.co/dRrG95rHrM

— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) January 8, 2018

If @DLidington moves to cabinet office that means four Justice secretaries since 2015 – the defence against the dark arts post of Cabinet ????#reshuffle https://t.co/oFyodp4DZ9

— Jack Evans (@jackcevans) January 8, 2018