Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs - Definition and Overview

The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs is a United Kingdom cabinet position. It was created in 2003, and was originally intended to supersede the office of Lord Chancellor, with the Lord Chancellor's Department renamed the Department for Constitutional Affairs. However, it now looks likely that in future all Secretaries of State for Constitutional Affairs will also hold the title of Lord Chancellor.

The only holder of this office so far is Baron Falconer of Thoroton, who holds the office alongside that of Lord Chancellor.

The office was formally created through the approval, by way of the Order-in-Council procedure, of 'The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (SI 2003 No. 1887)'. Through the order references to the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chancellor's Department were thereby construed to either refer to or stand transferred to the Secretary. Functions were also transferred from the First Secretary of State, a position within the government currently held by the Deputy Prime Minister.

See also

• Constitutional Reform Bill

External links

• The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 from HMSO (http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2003/20031887.htm)
• The Department for Constitutional Affairs official website (http://www.dca.gov.uk/)