I am only sorry that the celebrations had to be
scaled down this year, but I hope that colleagues
from across the jurisdictions will be able to join us
in 2022.
Over this last year your tenacity and hard work have
allowed our justice system to continue working, under
the unprecedented pressures you faced because of
COVID-19.
As a result of those endeavours…
… domestic abuse victims were able to obtain
protection orders…
… remand of dangerous suspects could be extended….
… and businesses and citizens could solve a range of
disputes, from commercial contracts to family
disputes.
And in the face of what can only be described as
enormous challenges, you kept people safe from harm
and ensured that our society is fair.
We were one of the first countries in the world to
resume jury trials, something about which we should
be very proud and has allowed us to address
unavoidable delays much more quickly than some other
jurisdictions.
I want to thank all of you in the room, as well as
the lawyers, the judges, and court staff right across
England and Wales who are continuing to work so
diligently and so assiduously.
Of course, it’s a team effort and you will be able to
depend on me as your Lord Chancellor, Justice
Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister
… to uphold the rule of law…
… to defend steadfastly the independence of the
judiciary…
… and to support a clear separation of powers.
And as I carry out my duties, I have a number of
emerging priorities, in particular…
… to deliver our prison building programme so that
the prison estate can protect the public from the
most serious and dangerous offenders…
… to create a prisons system that properly
rehabilitates criminals and prepares them for life on
the outside and as a result cuts reoffending…
… to increase court capacity using the innovation
that can deliver better experience and restore
effective justice for the average citizen…
… to deliver a step change in the way we support
victims to whom we all owe a great duty of care, as
too often they have felt that they are an
afterthought rather than being at the front and
centre, the beating heart of our work.
I’m also looking forward to very carefully
considering Sir Christopher Bellamy’s recommendations
from the Independent Review of criminal legal aid, so
that I can respond in due course.
On all of these things there will be time for us to
discuss how we can work together, but in the words of
Peter the Great:
Destiny may ride with us today but there is no
reason for it to interfere with lunch.
