Select Committee · Constitution Committee

Rule of Law

Status: Closed Opened: 11 Mar 2025 Closed: 9 Jul 2026 2 reports
Inquiry scopeThis inquiry is seeking to understand the rule of law as a constitutional principle and practical matter, and what the state of the rule of law is in the UK. The Committee will consider the different understandings of the rule of law, both at home and internationally, and explore how the principle works in practice across Parliament, the judiciary and the executive. The inquiry will also consider the role of education, the media and civic society in creating and maintaining a culture that values the rule of law. Read the Shorthand story: The rule of law is under threat in the UK

Reports

2 reports

Oral evidence sessions

13 sessions

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Date Session and witnesses Source
10 Sep 2025
Oral Evidence
The Rt Hon. the Lord Hermer KC · Attorney General's Office
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3 Sep 2025
Oral Evidence
Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood KC MP · UK Government
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16 Jul 2025
Oral Evidence
Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Vos · Judiciary of England and Wales
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2 Jul 2025
Oral Evidence
Anne Applebaum · The Atlantic, Mark Lewis · World Justice Project, Mick Antoniw MS · Welsh Government
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25 Jun 2025
Oral evidence
Chris Nelson · Gloucestershire Constabulary, Serena Kennedy · Merseyside Police
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18 Jun 2025
Oral Evidence
James Wolffe KC, John Larkin KC
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11 Jun 2025
Oral Evidence
Ashley Hodges · Young Citizens, Daniel Scrase · BPP University Social Impact Team
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21 May 2025
Oral Evidence
Frances Gibb · The Times, Joshua Rozenberg · Legal commentator
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14 May 2025
Oral Evidence
Kate Pasfield · Legal Aid Practitioners Group, Mr Nimrod Ben-Cnaan · Law Centres Network, Sarah Matthews · Citizens Advice Bureau
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7 May 2025
Oral Evidence
Shameem Ahmad · Public Law Project, Stephanie Needleman · JUSTICE
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23 Apr 2025
Oral Evidence
Dr. Ronan Cormacain · (self-employed), Dr Ruth Fox · Hansard Society, Sir Stephen Laws KC · Policy Exchange
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2 Apr 2025
Oral Evidence
Lord Sumption · The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE
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26 Mar 2025
Oral Evidence
Dr Jan van Zyl Smit · Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, Professor Adam Tomkins · University of Glasgow, Professor Jeff King · University College London (UCL)
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Who gave evidence

27 witnesses

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WitnessOrganisationSessions
Anne Applebaum · Journalist, Writer and Historian The Atlantic 1
Ashley Hodges · Chief Executive Young Citizens 1
Chris Nelson · Police and Crime Commissioner Gloucestershire Constabulary 1
Daniel Scrase · Trainee Solicitor BPP University Social Impact Team 1
Dr Ruth Fox · Director Hansard Society 1
Dr Jan van Zyl Smit · Director Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law 1
Dr. Ronan Cormacain (self-employed) 1
Frances Gibb · Former Legal Editor The Times 1
James Wolffe KC 1
John Larkin KC 1
Joshua Rozenberg · Independent Legal commentator 1
Kate Pasfield · Director of Legal Aid Legal Aid Practitioners Group 1
Lord Sumption The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom 1
Mark Lewis · Chief of Public Sector Partnerships World Justice Project 1
Mick Antoniw MS · Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Welsh Government 1
Mr Nimrod Ben-Cnaan · Head of Policy and Profile Law Centres Network 1
Professor Adam Tomkins · John Millar Professor of Public Law University of Glasgow 1
Professor Jeff King · Professor of Law University College London (UCL) 1
Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood KC MP · Lord Chancellor and Minister for Justice UK Government 1
Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Vos · Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice Judiciary of England and Wales 1
Sarah Matthews · Senior Strategic Lead Citizens Advice Bureau 1
Serena Kennedy · Chief Constable Merseyside Police 1
Shameem Ahmad · CEO Public Law Project 1
Sir Stephen Laws KC · Senior Fellow Policy Exchange 1
Stephanie Needleman · Legal Director JUSTICE 1
The Rt Hon. the Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE 1
The Rt Hon. the Lord Hermer KC · Attorney General for England and Wales Attorney General's Office 1

Meetings & visits

5 items

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DateTypeDetailSource
15 Oct 2025 Formal meeting (private meeting) Formal Meeting (Private Meeting) · Room 1, Palace of Westminster
23 Jul 2025 Formal meeting (private meeting) Formal Meeting (Private Meeting) · Room 3, Palace of Westminster
15 Jul 2025 Formal meeting (private meeting) Formal Meeting (Private Meeting) · Room 1-06, Millbank House
9 Jul 2025 Formal meeting (private meeting) Private Meeting · Room 1-02, Millbank House
30 Apr 2025 Formal meeting (private meeting) Formal meeting (private meeting) · Room 4, Palace of Westminster