Department for Constitutional Affairs
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The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) is a United Kingdom government department. Its creation was announced on 12 June 2003 with the intention of replacing the Lord Chancellor's Department.
It is primarily responsible for reforms to the Constitution, administration of the Courts, the appointment of the Judiciary and relations with the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Other responsibilities include issues relating to human rights, data protection and freedom of information. Administratively it incorporates the Wales Office and the Scotland Office, but those offices remain the overall responsibility of the Secretary of State for Wales and Secretary of State for Scotland respectively.
After the 2005 general election, it gained additional responsibilities for coroners and conduct of local government elections. [1] (http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page7534.asp).
Ministers of the Department of Constitutional Affairs as of 10 May 2005 [2] (http://www.dca.gov.uk/dept/depconmin.htm)
- Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor - The Rt Hon. The Lord Falconer of Thoroton, PC, QC
- Advocate General for Scotland - Baroness Clark, QC, MP
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (reporting to the Secretary of State for Scotland) - David Cairns, MP
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (reporting to the Secretary of State for Wales) - Nick Ainger, MP
Departmental agencies
- Her Majesty's Courts Service - Christopher Leslie
- HM Land Registry - David Lammy
- National Archives - The Baroness Ashton of Upholland
- Public Guardianship Office - The Baroness Ashton of Upholland
Among members of the legal profession the department is affectionately known as "decaff".
External links
- Department of Constitutional Affairs (http://www.dca.gov.uk)
- Her Majesty's Courts Service (http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk)
- Land Registry (http://www.landregistry.gov.uk)
- National Archives (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/)
- Public Guardianship Office (http://www.guardianship.gov.uk/)