Rt Hon. David Lammy sworn in as the new Lord Chancellor
The Right Honourable David Lammy MP has been officially sworn in as Lord Chancellor.
The ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice follows his appointment as Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice and Deputy Prime Minister on 5 September 2025. He was previously the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and the Shadow Lord Chancellor.
Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, conducted the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday 1 October. She said:
“We congratulate you on your appointment to each of these important offices of State. Your dual role confirms that justice remains at the heart of the government’s agenda. We very much hope to build a strong and enduring partnership with you, my Lord Chancellor, in the years to come.
“Upholding the constitutional principle of the rule of law and that of judicial independence are, of course, of fundamental importance to your office and to the health of not only our justice system but of our democratic system.”
As the independent third arm of the state, the judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law. Judicial office holders are underpinned by three core values: independence, impartiality and integrity. The judiciary should be fair and transparent, free of any influence outside the rule of law. The Lord Chancellor holds an important role in upholding these constitutional principles.
Judicial independence became enshrined in law with the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. This reformed the post of Lord Chancellor, transferring their judicial functions to the President of the Courts of England and Wales – the new title given to the Lord (or Lady) Chief Justice.
The Lady Chief Justice also swore in the Solicitor General, The Right Honourable Ellie Reeves MP. She was previously Minister without Portfolio at the Cabinet Office. Promoting the rule of law at home and internationally is part of the Solicitor General’s role in supporting the Attorney General.
You can find out more about our justice system and the history of the judiciary on our website.