Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Lord Falconer of Thoroton is a British Labour politician and barrister who served as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs under Prime Minister Tony Blair. He was a key figure in implementing major constitutional reforms, including the creation of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the abolition of the office of Lord Chancellor in its historic form. Following his ministerial career, he has remained influential in public life through various legal, commercial, and charitable roles.

Early life and education

Charles Leslie Falconer was born in Edinburgh and spent his childhood in Linlithgow. He was educated at the independent Glenalmond College in Perthshire before studying law at Queens' College, Cambridge. At Cambridge University, he was a contemporary and close friend of the future Prime Minister Tony Blair, a relationship that would profoundly shape his later career. He was called to the bar at Middle Temple in 1974.

Legal career

He established a successful practice as a barrister, specialising in commercial law and public inquiries. He took silk in 1991, becoming a Queen's Counsel. His notable cases included representing the Department of Trade and Industry in the Maxwell scandal inquiry and acting for the Bank of England during the collapse of Barings Bank. He also served as a Recorder in the Crown Court and was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge in 1994.

Political career

Although not an elected Member of Parliament, his political ascent was secured through his friendship with Tony Blair and his appointment as a life peer in 1997. He was immediately appointed Solicitor General for England and Wales under Attorney General Lord Morris of Aberavon. He later served as Minister of State for Housing, Planning and Regeneration at the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and as a Minister of State in the Cabinet Office, where he oversaw the delivery of key Millennium projects.

Lord Chancellor and constitutional reform

In 2003, he was appointed as Lord Chancellor and the inaugural Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, succeeding Lord Irvine of Lairg. His tenure was defined by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, which abolished the ancient judicial functions of the Lord Chancellor, established an independent Judicial Appointments Commission, and created the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom to replace the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords. He also oversaw reforms to the law lords and the Lord Chief Justice's role. In the final weeks of the Blair ministry, his department was renamed the Ministry of Justice, with him becoming the first Secretary of State for Justice.

Post-ministerial career and other roles

After leaving government in 2007, he returned to practice at Matrix Chambers and took on numerous public roles. He has chaired several significant reviews, including an independent investigation into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party and a commission on the future of legal aid in England and Wales. He served as Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales from 2010 to 2011 and has been a board member of several companies, including London City Airport. He remains a prominent commentator on constitutional and legal issues.

Personal life

He married Marianna Thoroton in 1985; they have three children. The title 'Thoroton' in his peerage refers to his wife's ancestral home in Nottinghamshire. He is a supporter of Heart of Midlothian Football Club and maintains a keen interest in the arts. His brother is the journalist and author Jamie Falconer. Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:Life peers Category:Labour Party (UK) life peers Category:Alumni of Queens' College, Cambridge Category:British Queen's Counsel Category:Lord Chancellors Category:Members of the House of Lords