All change, please

As so far is constitutionally possible in David Cameron's drastic and wide-ranging reshuffle; we have a new attorney general - already under fire from the press and from within the profession; and there is a new Law
Society president in town.

So, it is goodbye to Kenneth Clarke and Dominic Grieve. Hello Jeremy Wright. "Who?" you may ask, and indeed this seems like a fair question, for Wright seems to be an unfamiliar face in the Inns of Court. Foremost among the initial criticisms of the newly appointed AG are his lack of seniority, "weight and status", having not (yet) been afforded the QC suffix.

There are other concerns about Wright's perceived lack of sympathy for the rule of
law, access to justice and human rights, his relationship with the lord chancellor (who was one of the few to have remained in post, much to the whole profession's surprise), and his lack of experience in the courtroom.

No5 Chambers, which had yet to report the news on its website as SJ went to press, names Wright as a junior. However, there is some hope, as his brief chamber's CV lists experience in "offences of dishonesty". This will no doubt be a useful skill in government. It may also be needed in one of his first tasks.

Simon Cowell is reportedly "speaking with the AG's office" following claims made in court that the music mogul is gay. Perhaps not quite what Wright had in mind when the call came in from the prime minister.

Congratulations also to Andrew Caplen, who has assumed presidency of the Law Society following the annual Chancery Lane reshuffle. As council member for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, he has had a broad and varied career in the area.

Meeting Caplen over dinner in his official London residence last week, it was clear that he has a keen idea on what needs to be done but is realistic about what can be achieved.

He has already made a name for himself as something of a mediator, having taken great care chairing last year's special general meeting (SGM) in the heat of the criminal legal aid debate, which resulted in the motion of no confidence in the president he has
now succeeded.

This is a skill he may need to put to good use in the next 12 months as he prepares
for the potential split from Scotland and a general election, where legal issues are likely
to be a key battleground for all parties.

There is also the small matter of a new chief executive to work alongside. I managed to catch up with the departing Law Society top dog for a chat this week, just before he starts packing away his office and raiding the stationery cupboard. See my exclusive interview here.

Once again, it's all change at the top.
Let's see what happens next.

Kevin Poulter, Editor at large

@SJ_Weekly

#SJPOULTER

editorial@solicitorsjournal.co.uk