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27 January 2023 / Neil Parpworth
Issue: 8010 / Categories: Features , Constitutional law , Public
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Counsellors of State: time to widen the circle? (Pt 2)

Is the Counsellors of State Act 2022 a short-term solution? Neil Parpworth suggests it may be a missed opportunity for bolder reforms

In brief

  • The modest changes made to the Regency Act 1937 by virtue of s 1, Counsellors of State Act 2022, which received royal assent in December 2022.
  • Consideration of why the new Act might be regarded as a missed opportunity to make more significant reforms with longer lasting effects.

The Counsellors of State Act 2022 (CSA 2022) received royal assent on 6 December 2022 and came into effect the day after (see s 2(2), CSA 2022). Unusually, it is a piece of legislation which was effectively requested by the sovereign, as was evident from a message sent by the king to both Houses of Parliament on 14 November 2022, which read as follows:

‘To enable continued efficiency of public business when I am unavailable, such as while I am undertaking official duties overseas, I confirm that I would be most content, should Parliament

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft strengthens Scottish real estate capabilitywith partner appointment

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints Brendan Ryan as partner in Public Law Projects team

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers welcomes five new barristers

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