It is a privilege to address my legal colleagues through the pages of the Law Society Gazette. As I return to the law in my capacity as Shadow Solicitor General, I am keen to share my perspective on how the Opposition will approach this critical role. I am also greatly honoured to be working alongside the Shadow Attorney General, The Right Honourable The Lord Wolfson of Tredegar KC.
Our legal system is the bedrock of a just and fair society. It requires diligence, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the protection of rights and freedoms. These principles guided me during my 23 years as a family lawyer, where I stood alongside individuals at their most vulnerable, working to secure outcomes that balanced fairness with compassion. These experiences shape my approach today, as I scrutinise the Government’s legal agenda in Parliament.
One area that I am particularly passionate about is the scourge of violence against women and girls. It first came to my attention as a schoolgirl, when my pioneering mother co-founded one of the earliest women’s refuges in the country, in Carlisle. Tackling violence in the home later became the core of my own legal practice, and then a central part of my work as victims minister in David Cameron’s Government. Such crimes are abhorrent, leaving deep scars not only on the victims but on their families, communities, and society at large.
The Government has committed to halving violence against women and girls within a decade - a laudable goal that transcends party politics. My question to the then Solicitor General, Sarah Sackman KC MP, on this issue was simple, yet pressing: what steps are being taken on prevention and early intervention, and when will the specialist rape courts be introduced? - the latter being a promise made in the Government’s 2024 election manifesto.
As lawyers, we know the immense value of prevention. In practice, this means addressing the root causes of gender-based violence: educating young people, tackling harmful societal norms, and ensuring robust early interventions to prevent escalation. These measures require sustained funding, strategic planning and the ability to measure progress. I will continue to hold the Government to account for their delivery.
Equally important is ensuring justice for victims. We are told in a government press release that an additional £49 million pledged for the Crown Prosecution Service will mean additional staff in the CPS’s specialist rape and serious sexual offence unit. This is a step forward, but we must see results. How many additional staff will this funding secure, and how soon will they be in place? Words alone cannot rebuild trust in the justice system; victims need action, and they need it urgently.
While my role in opposition is, at times, adversarial, I am committed to constructive engagement. The law transcends political divides, and where the Government puts forward policies that serve justice and uphold our legal traditions, I will support them unequivocally. But when proposals fall short, when gaps are left unaddressed, or when rights are imperilled, it is my duty to oppose and demand better. This dual role - supportive where possible, critical where necessary - ensures the legal profession’s voice is amplified in Parliament.
This spirit of constructive opposition is vital as we navigate pressing challenges. The issues facing the judicial system demand collaboration, careful scrutiny, and an enduring commitment to the public interest.
As a profession, we understand the importance of precedent. As legislators, we must also embrace progress. It is my aim, alongside my colleagues, to work towards a justice system that is not just efficient, but equitable - a system that reflects the highest ideals of our shared mission.
To all my colleagues across the legal sector, I invite your views, insights, and expertise. I am interested in your commentary on some of the challenges we face in our profession and I want to work with you constructively to hold this Government to account in the spirit of progress that I have outlined in this piece.
I will also use your feedback to help my party rebuild a platform of trust and confidence within the legal profession, and a sustainable policy programme that makes us deserving of a return to government, when that time comes.
