Speech

King's Counsel appointments ceremony 2025: Lord Chancellor speech

Lord Chancellor바카라 사이트™s speech at the 2025 King바카라 사이트™s Counsel appointment ceremony, recognising those who have been formally appointed to the rank of KC and Honorary KC.

• From: Ministry of Justice and The Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP
• Published: 24 March 2025

• Delivered on: 24 March 0205 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

It is a great honour and a pleasure to be here today바카라 사이트¦

To preside over the formal appointment of those receiving the rank of King바카라 사이트™s Counsel.

Those two letters 바카라 사이트“ KC바카라 사이트¦

Do not just set you apart from your peers바카라 사이트¦

And widen the eyes of your bank manager and your clerks.

They are a public recognition, from the Crown 바카라 사이트¦

Of your skill, expertise, and contribution to the law.

It is a momentous achievement.

For many, the pinnacle of a career that is as much a vocation as a profession. 

My warmest congratulations to each of you.  

And how fitting that we celebrate you here, in Westminster Hall.

After Magna Carta first decreed that the rule of law was greater than the rule of a King바카라 사이트¦

It was here that the principal courts of England first sat:

King바카라 사이트™s Bench, Common Pleas, and Chancery.

Here, the ideal of justice became reality바카라 사이트¦

Laying the foundations of English and Welsh common law바카라 사이트¦

Which underpins not just our justice system, but those of so many other nations across the world.

These ancient walls have borne witness to some of the most defining cases in our history.

Here, Charles the First was tried바카라 사이트¦

The gunpowder plotters faced justice바카라 사이트¦

And one of my predecessors, Sir Thomas More, was handed down his grisly fate바카라 사이트¦

A warning, perhaps, to any Lord Chancellor who strays too far from the good graces of their premier.

Happily, reshuffles are a little less bloody these days.

Through the centuries, this hall has stood as a symbol of an unshakable principle:

That no one, however powerful, is above the law.

That principle has been defended, time and again, by advocates of the highest calibre.

And into that long line, you now enter.

As leaders in the law, and guardians of the rule of law바카라 사이트¦

It falls to you, to strengthen, and uphold its values.

To 바카라 사이트˜take silk바카라 사이트™ is a distinction earned not just through talent, of course 바카라 사이트“ though we have that here in abundance.

It takes years 바카라 사이트“ often decades 바카라 사이트“ of dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice.

I know the journey to this moment has not been easy.

The road was paved by endless late nights, spent poring over a brief바카라 사이트¦

Hours upon hours of painstaking research바카라 사이트¦

Countless weekends lost to work바카라 사이트¦

Cancelled plans바카라 사이트¦

And the many times this career has pulled you away from the ones you love바카라 사이트¦

And who, despite your commitment to this vocation, still love you back 바카라 사이트“ most of the time.

They are here today, cheering you on.

And I consider this honour as much a tribute to them, as it is to you.

Today is also about more than personal achievement.

The rank of King바카라 사이트™s Counsel is not simply a mark of excellence바카라 사이트¦

It is a symbol of the strength of our legal system, recognised not just in this country but across the world.

It underpins the global reputation of our legal services sector바카라 사이트¦

Which stands as a guarantee of integrity, expertise, and the highest standards of advocacy.

And with this distinction comes a broader duty:

To ensure that cases are argued fairly바카라 사이트¦

To test and challenge the law, so it remains robust and just바카라 사이트¦

And, in doing so, to shape the legal precedents that will influence justice for generations바카라 사이트¦

As you hand it down to the next generation.

You are the guardians of the rule of law 바카라 사이트“ and it falls upon my office to ensure you are protected.

That is why I have been so concerned, of late, to read reports of judges and lawyers being subjected to physical attacks - just for doing their jobs.

Recently, a family court judge was assaulted in his own courtroom바카라 사이트¦

And during the appalling riots of last summer, lawyers feared for their safety after threats, and their work addresses, circulated on social media바카라 사이트¦

Simply because of who they represent.

Now, in this country, there will always be room for opposing views바카라 사이트¦

For legitimate disagreements over policy.

To speak freely is a cornerstone of our democracy 바카라 사이트“ part of what it means to be British.

Judges dispense the law 바카라 사이트“ and we can all debate the law바카라 사이트¦

But as Lord Chancellor, what I will not accept바카라 사이트¦

What I will never countenance바카라 사이트¦

Are attacks on those who are doing their duty바카라 사이트¦

Upholding the law of our land.

Our legal profession and judiciary argue, and make decisions on, some of the most difficult issues of our time바카라 사이트¦

You must be able to do so free from undue influence바카라 사이트¦

And without risk to your safety and security.

Anything less is unacceptable.

Your job is to protect the law바카라 사이트¦

And we should protect you.

From the bar and the bench, you underpin the rule of law in this country.

But it is not only those who practice who do so.

That is why, alongside the 105 new Kings Counsel today바카라 사이트¦

We welcome nine King바카라 사이트™s Counsel, Honoris Causa, to your number.

Each has been nominated for their outstanding contribution to the law outside of the courtroom.

Their work may often be behind the scenes바카라 사이트¦

But it has enriched our legal system immeasurably, and we thank you for it.

First, Professor Martin Dixon, nominated for his scholarship in property law바카라 사이트¦

Rebecca Hilsenrath, for her advocacy around equality, diversity, and human rights.

Rachel Horman-Brown, who has shaped both policy and the law around coercive control.

Dr Laura Janes, for her work on access to justice, and the rights of children in custody.  

Susanna McGibbon, for her leadership in many high-profile cases and inquiries.  

Professor Renato Nazzini , for his work in competition law.

Sue Willman, for founding the Asylum Support Appeals Project.

Douglas Wilson, for shaping the law around the use of military force, cyberspace, and investigatory powers.

And finally, Professor Adrian Zuckerman, for his contribution to civil law.

Thank you all for the enduring contributions you have made to legal thought and practice.

And I think that leaves me only to offer my warmest congratulations to all of you, Kings Counsel Honoris Causa and Pro Meritis.

You leave this room with the right to wear a very lovely full-bottomed wig바카라 사이트¦

A really rather strange monkey jacket바카라 사이트¦

And, of course, the eponymous silk.

But with great outfits, comes great responsibility.

You are the custodians of your profession바카라 사이트¦

Upholders of legal excellence바카라 사이트¦.

And guardians of the rule of law.

But most importantly, today, you are husbands and wives바카라 사이트¦

Fathers and mothers바카라 사이트¦

Sons and daughters바카라 사이트¦

And I hope today you will raise a glass to those who helped you get here.

Published 24 March 2025