Cabinet reshuffle: Raab appointed as lord chancellor and justice secretary

Downing Street announced earlier today (15 September) that Robert Buckland QC has departed government and former foreign secretary Dominic Raab will be the new lord chancellor, secretary of state for justice and deputy prime minister.

On Twitter, Raab said he was "delighted" and would be "delivering on the prime minister's commitment to cut crime, reduce reoffending and protect the public".

Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “We welcome Dominic Raab to the post and look forward to working with him”.

She commented: “He is only the second solicitor to have the role in history and takes the helm at a pivotal time for the justice system – with backlogs continuing to bedevil the courts and with some criminal trials delayed until 2023, leaving victims witnesses, and defendants facing long delays in securing justice.

“With the rule of law and access to justice firmly in the spotlight, and with the spending review on the horizon, we hope the new lord chancellor will play a key role in advocating for sustained investment across the entire justice system.

Boyce added: “I would also like to thank Robert Buckland QC for his service to the justice system during an extremely challenging time”.

Buckland commented on Twitter: “It has been an honour to serve in Government for the last 7 years, and as the Lord Chancellor for the last 2. I am deeply proud of everything I have achieved. On to the next adventure”.