Many of the issues faced by Dominic Raab MP during his previous year as lord chancellor remain in his in-tray. Here is a reminder of what he said at the time: 

‘Having all been cooped up for so long, I confess I am restless – determined to build on the rapid innovations that the courts have overseen to help us tackle the impact of coronavirus – not least the rapid roll out of remote technology across the estate to beam people into courtrooms – something that was just a policy proposal when I was courts minister back in 2017.’

- On being sworn in as lord chancellor, September 2021

 

 

‘One of the consistent complaints we hear from the public is that human rights can be subject to abuse’.

- Introducing his Bill of Rights bill

 

 ‘We don’t accept these criticisms, which rest on a flawed understanding of the UK tradition of liberty, the importance of a clearer separation of powers, and the proper role of elected members of parliament in determining any expansion in the scope of rights.’

- Responding to UN rapporteurs’ criticism of the bill. 

‘That will help to spur an increase in performance, which will give victims the confidence to come forward and get prosecutions to court.’

- On criminal justice scorecards. 

 ‘We owe our whole legal profession – solicitors, barristers, court staff and judiciary – a debt of gratitude for keeping the wheels of justice turning over the last two years. That’s why we are accepting Sir Christopher Bellamy’s recommendation for an uplift in fees and a total of £135m extra investment to ensure legal representation is there for those who most need it.’

- On legal aid.

‘It’s regrettable that the Criminal Bar Association is striking, given only 43.5% of their members voted for this particular, most disruptive, option.'

- On the bar strike.

'The UK can be proud of our world-leading legal services. But it is essential the sector retains its international reputation for the highest standards of probity. That’s why we are allowing swifter and firmer action to be taken against those who break the codes of conduct. And we’re freeing up the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal to focus on the most serious breaches, such as those involving Russian sanctions.'

- On increasing the SRA’s fining powers.

 ‘We’ve got to bring an end to this nonsense.’

- On a 10-year-old deportation case.