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Departures & arrivals at the MoJ as Johnson flails but stays

08 July 2022
Categories: Legal News , Profession , Constitutional law
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The Attorney General, Suella Braverman has thrown her hat in the ring for job of Prime Minister, while the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk and Justice ministers, barrister Victoria Atkins and former entrepreneur James Cartlidge resigned, as Downing Street descended into political turmoil

Braverman, a barrister, told ITV journalist Robert Peston, in a live interview, she thought PM Boris Johnson should step down and announced her intention to stand for the leadership. She retained her job.

Chalk, Atkins and Cartlidge were among more than 50 members of the government to resign as Conservative MPs struggled to persuade Johnson to leave office this week. Since Johnson’s apparent resignation speech outside Downing Street, Chalk has since been replaced by former family law barrister Edward Timpson while Atkins has been replaced by non-lawyer Tom Pursglove. A successor to legal aid minister Cartlidge has not yet been appointed.

Elsewhere, former Lord Chancellor Sir Robert Buckland, who was sacked by Johnson a year ago, has returned to the Cabinet as Welsh Secretary. Former justice minister under David Cameron’s and then Theresa May’s government Shailesh Vara has been appointed Northern Ireland Secretary.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
David Lammy, Ellie Reeves and Baroness Levitt have taken up office at the Ministry of Justice, following the cabinet reshuffle
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
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From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
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