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02 May 2014 / Roger Smith
Issue: 7604 / Categories: Opinion
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Contradictions

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Roger Smith looks at three issues that expose inconsistencies by the Lord Chancellor

In the micro-politics of the Conservative Party, Chris Grayling probably reckons that he has got a pretty good billet. He has lots of opportunity to show off his expenditure cuts and to put two fingers up to Europe. But, in bidding to be the right wing darling of his party, the Lord Chancellor exposes the contradictions at the heart of some of its policy-making.

 

Europe

The problem for a Eurosceptic like Grayling is that, although opposition to anything from the EU is a “no brainer”, actually some of its work is rather handy. This presents a difficulty. The Lord Chancellor has chosen to draw a bright blue line at the EU’s attempt to draw up a “judicial scorecard” of how various of its members are doing in relation to implementing the rule of law. Thus, although we participated in 2013, the recently produced publication for 2014 is full of entries proudly displaying “no data” for the UK. While it can be argued (as

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clarke Willmott—Anita Rasaratnam

Clarke Willmott—Anita Rasaratnam

Clarke Willmott strengthens social housing development offering with senior London appointment

Trowers & Hamlins—David Meecham

Trowers & Hamlins—David Meecham

Trowers strengthens Birmingham real estate team with partner hire

Blake Morgan—Jennifer Ray & Louise Culleton

Blake Morgan—Jennifer Ray & Louise Culleton

Blake Morgan expands private client and regulatory teams with new legal directors

NEWS
A mood of cautious optimism has enveloped the criminal law sector following indications the Prime Minister may abandon planned jury reforms
Helping to source the services and providers you need
The Senior Courts Costs Office has clarified that judges conducting detailed assessment proceedings cannot order security for costs—a ruling that may leave successful parties exposed to further litigation expense
Rejecting a generous settlement can prove an expensive mistake, as two recent high-profile cases demonstrate
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to show that failing to disclose regulatory issues can attract harsher consequences than the original misconduct itself
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