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Michael Gove sworn in as lord chancellor Michael Gove sworn in as lord chancellor
(about 3 hours later)
In the presence of the most senior judges in England and Wales, the new justice secretary, Michael Gove, has been sworn in as lord chancellor.In the presence of the most senior judges in England and Wales, the new justice secretary, Michael Gove, has been sworn in as lord chancellor.
The ceremony was held in court four of the Royal Courts of Justice in central London. Gove was greeted at the judges’ entrance at the rear of the Gothic Victorian building by the lord chief justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd. The ceremony was held in court four of the Royal Courts of Justice in central London. Gove was greeted at the judges’ entrance at the rear of the gothic Victorian building by the lord chief justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd.
Gove, like his predecessor Chris Grayling, is not a lawyer, and the practice appears to have become established that non-lawyers do not wear wigs when sworn in to the role. Gove, like his predecessor Chris Grayling, is not a lawyer, and the precedent has been established that non-lawyers do not wear wigs when taking the oath.
Gove’s wife, the journalist and broadcaster Sarah Vine, and their two young childrenwere in court to watch the ceremony. The benches were packed with high court judges in red robes and appeal court judges in gold and black robes. The Queen’s remembrancer, in a compact black tricorn hat, sat below the judges’ bench. His wife, the journalist and broadcaster Sarah Vine, and their two young childrenwere in court to watch the ceremony. The benches were packed with high court judges in red robes and appeal court judges in gold and black. The Queen’s remembrancer, in a compact black tricorn hat, sat below the judges’ bench.
Charged with repealing the Human Rights Act and redefining the UK’s relationship with the European court of human rights in Strasbourg, Gove has so far kept his own counsel about how he will deliver such a complex constitutional manoeuvre.Charged with repealing the Human Rights Act and redefining the UK’s relationship with the European court of human rights in Strasbourg, Gove has so far kept his own counsel about how he will deliver such a complex constitutional manoeuvre.
I believe that one of the surest safeguards of liberty is an adversarial system of justiceI believe that one of the surest safeguards of liberty is an adversarial system of justice
The title of lord chancellor dates to at least the 11th century, and probably even earlier. Lately it has largely been eclipsed by the role of justice secretary. The title of lord chancellor pre-dates Norman times. Since 2007, the position has been held by the justice secretary.
In the last parliament a House of Lords select committee held an inquiry into whether there was any conflict between the two roles, which involve upholding justice and making economies in the administration of the courts.In the last parliament a House of Lords select committee held an inquiry into whether there was any conflict between the two roles, which involve upholding justice and making economies in the administration of the courts.
After completing his oath of office, Gove recalled that he had first been in court as a young journalist, when he had learned two things . He said the first was that “no one in this country should be deprived of their liberty or property without due process of law. Equally important, is the value of freedom of speech”, so truth could prevail over falsehood. “I believe that one of the surest safeguards of liberty is an adversarial system of justice.” After completing his oath of allegiance, Gove recalled he had first entered court as a young journalist and learned two things . He said the first was that “no one in this country should be deprived of their liberty or property without due process of law. Equally important, is the value of freedom of speech”, so truth could prevail over falsehood. “I believe that one of the surest safeguards of liberty is an adversarial system of justice.”
He quoted approvingly Lord Denning’s dictum that: “Be you ever so high, the law is above you.” And, while pledging to uphold the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, Gove anticipated differences ahead: “It must be a sorry nation indeed in which the judges themselves agree with politicians 100% of the time,” he said. He quoted approvingly Lord Denning’s dictum: “Be you ever so high, the law is above you.” And, while pledging to uphold the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, Gove anticipated differences ahead. “It must be a sorry nation indeed in which judges themselves agree with politicians 100% of the time,” he said.