Lord Chancellor appoints new members of the Legal Services Commission

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw, has appointed Professor Carolyn Hamilton and Mr Peter Smith to the Legal Services Commission.

The two Commissioners will start on 1 April 2008, for four years.

Professor Hamilton is a nationally and internationally recognised expert in family justice with many years of experience in child and family law, as an academic, practising barrister and Director of the Children's Legal Centre.

Mr Smith has worked in procurement for 25 years and served the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply as Chairman of the CIPS Board of Management and President of the CIPS Council.

Jack Straw said:
"I am delighted that Professor Hamilton and Mr Smith have accepted appointments to the Commission. The Commission is working closely with the Ministry of Justice to create a sustainable legal aid scheme and contributes to the Government's programme to reform the justice system. The experience of the new Commissioners will be invaluable in helping the Commission to achieve its goals."