Department for Constitutional Affairs

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.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom government department - 12 June - 2003 - Lord Chancellor's Department

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It is primarily responsible for reforms to the Constitution, relations with the Channel Islands and Isle of Man and, within England and Wales, it is concerned with the administration of the Courts, the appointment of the Judiciary. Other responsibilities include issues relating to human rights, data protection and freedom of information.

Related Topics:
Constitution - Channel Islands - Isle of Man - England and Wales - Courts - Judiciary - Human rights - Data protection - Freedom of information

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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.

Related Topics:
Wales Office - Scotland Office - Secretary of State for Wales - Secretary of State for Scotland

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After the 2005 general election, it gained additional responsibilities for coroners and conduct of local government elections in England. http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page7534.asp.

Related Topics:
2005 - General election - Coroner - England

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Ministers of the Department of Constitutional Affairs as of 10 May 2005 http://www.dca.gov.uk/dept/depconmin.htm

Related Topics:
10 May - 2005

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• Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor - The Rt Hon. The Lord Falconer of Thoroton, PC, QC
• Minister of State for Constitutional Affairs - The Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State - The Rt Hon. The Baroness Ashton of Upholland
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State - Bridget Prentice, MP
• Advocate General for Scotland - The Rt Hon. The Baroness Clark of Calton, QC
• 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

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• Her Majesty's Courts Service (for England and Wales)
• HM Land Registry (for England and Wales)
• The National Archives
• Public Guardianship Office (for England and Wales)

Among members of the legal profession the department is affectionately known as "decaff".

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