Speech

Opening of the legal year October 2017

Lord Chancellor's breakfast welcoming remarks.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government
The Rt Hon David Lidington CBE

The wheels of justice, they say, turn slowly.

Well, not this morning.

Between the Royal Courts of Justice, the Supreme Court and Westminster Abbey, we have dealt with a very full caseload 바카라 사이트“ and it바카라 사이트™s still only breakfast time.

As well as opening a new legal year, we have welcomed two exceptional leaders for the senior judiciary. A new Lord Chief Justice, Sir Ian Burnett, and a new President of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale.

We must also say our farewells, to Lord Thomas and Lord Neuberger. They have served the justice system with distinction, dignity and energy.

We have many challenges ahead but I am confident that we have a judiciary eminently well equipped to deal with them. They are fearsomely experienced and rightly independent of the executive 바카라 사이트“ but like all of us here they still need a good breakfast.

So will you please join me in raising a glass in a toast: To the future 바카라 사이트“ and to the past.

And now, as Shakespeare recommended, let us

Do as adversaries in law 바카라 사이트“ strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.

Updates to this page

Published 4 October 2017