*/
Baroness Scotland has mounted a robust defence of the “fundamentally sound” role of the Attorney General. The government began a review of the role of Attorney General in 2007 and announced its decision, that no change to the law was necessary, in 2009.
In a speech to the Administrative Law Bar Association on “The role of the Attorney General in the 21st Century”, Baroness Scotland said: “After the analysis, the talk of tensions and contradictions, I say simply this: for all the problems, which I acknowledge, no suggestion that an Attorney General in modern times has in fact taken a decision on the basis of political or otherwise improper considerations has been substantiated ... Let us not apply nice theoretical tests to the role of Attorney General and watch the role fail them; let us see whether the role works in practice. And if it does not need fixing, why break it?”
On controversy surrounding advice given on Iraq, BAE and cash for honours, she said: “It is the issues that are difficult and controversial; and that will be the case whoever has to take them.”
However, some reforms have been implemented which have not required a change in the law. These include a Protocol setting out that the Attorney General no longer has the power to give a direction in an individual case save in “exceptional circumstances” and where necessary to safeguard national security.
Baroness Scotland said she would lay an annual report of her duties before Parliament.
In a speech to the Administrative Law Bar Association on “The role of the Attorney General in the 21st Century”, Baroness Scotland said: “After the analysis, the talk of tensions and contradictions, I say simply this: for all the problems, which I acknowledge, no suggestion that an Attorney General in modern times has in fact taken a decision on the basis of political or otherwise improper considerations has been substantiated ... Let us not apply nice theoretical tests to the role of Attorney General and watch the role fail them; let us see whether the role works in practice. And if it does not need fixing, why break it?”
On controversy surrounding advice given on Iraq, BAE and cash for honours, she said: “It is the issues that are difficult and controversial; and that will be the case whoever has to take them.”
However, some reforms have been implemented which have not required a change in the law. These include a Protocol setting out that the Attorney General no longer has the power to give a direction in an individual case save in “exceptional circumstances” and where necessary to safeguard national security.
Baroness Scotland said she would lay an annual report of her duties before Parliament.
Baroness Scotland has mounted a robust defence of the “fundamentally sound” role of the Attorney General. The government began a review of the role of Attorney General in 2007 and announced its decision, that no change to the law was necessary, in 2009.
The profession has already tackled many uncertainties and risks
How seriously should barristers’ chambers take the threat of cyberattack and how can they best protect themselves? Doug Hargrove offers some expert advice
With a mandate to advance best practice in crypto fraud cases and investigations, and improve recovery outcomes for victims, CFAAR (the Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery network) founders Nick Price and Aidan Larkin discuss plans for the new network
Q&A with Carmel King of Grant Thornton UK LLP’s Insolvency and Asset Recovery practice
AlphaBiolabs is extending its support to vulnerable families once again this Christmas
An update by Rachel Cooper of Coram Chambers
A barrister-authors cultural life and times includes an obsession with all things medieval and what it means to be British
As we face 2022, the profession feels restless, the job feels relentless but we are in good hands: our new yet seasoned leader talks to Joanna Hardy-Susskind about his concerns and ambitions for the Bar, and how we protect this truly precious, national asset
Raggi Kotak and Laurie-Anne Power on the positive actions chambers can take to support a more racially inclusive environment
Can we make life in the law healthier and happier? asks Elizabeth Rimmer
Lets not look a gift horse in the mouth, writes Katie Gollop QC
