Following the appointment of Vera Baird QC MP as a new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Constitutional Affairs, the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, today gave details of his ministerial team's key responsibilities within the Department.
The Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP, Minister of State for Constitutional Affairs, will focus on:
- Criminal Justice
- Her Majesty's Courts Service
- Family Justice
- Implementation of Constitutional Reform Act, concordat, Supreme Court and Judicial Appointments Commission
- Judicial Diversity
- Coroner Reform
- Crown Dependencies
The Rt Hon Baroness Ashton of Upholland, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, will focus on:
- Civil Law Policy - including tackling the compensation culture
- Human Rights
- European Union and International Policy
- International Legal Trade
- FOI and data protection
- The Tribunals Service
- Law Commission
- Associated offices:
- Land Registry
- Statutory Publications Office
- Public Guardianship Office (including MCIP)
- Official Solicitor and Public Trustee Office
- The National Archives
Bridget Prentice MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, will focus on:
- Reform of Electoral Administration
- Legal Services
- Legal Services Complaints Commissioner/ Legal Services Ombudsman
- Asylum and Immigration
- Devolution and Regional Policy
- Northern Ireland Court Service
Vera Baird QC MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, will focus on:
- Civil and Family Legal Aid
- Criminal Legal Aid
- Legal Services Commission
- Social Exclusion
Notes to Editors
Biographical information about the Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor, and ministers at the Department for Constitutional Affairs, can be found on our website at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/dept/depconmin.htm