The Law Commission has appointed Mark Ormerod as its new chief executive.

Ormerod, who is currently director of access to justice policy at the Ministry of Justice, will take up his new position on 2 March, replacing William Arnold, who has been acting chief executive since January 2008.

Arnold is moving to the new Supreme Court, where he will be corporate services director.

Sir Terence Etherton, chairman of the Law Commission, said: ‘Mark Ormerod has had a long and distinguished career in the civil service, with an outstanding track record in delivering significant improvements to the justice system.

‘His expertise and experience in both civil and criminal justice will add real value to the work of the Law Commission at a time of important advancement in our relationship with Government.’