Garry Hart, Baron Hart of Chilton
Encyclopedia
Garry Hart, Baron Hart of Chilton
(born 29 June 1940), is a British
Labour
politician. From 1998 to 2007, he was Expert and then Special Adviser to the Lord Chancellor
, first Lord Irvine of Lairg
and then Lord Falconer of Thoroton
.
Before entering public service Hart was a highly successful planning solicitor with Herbert Smith
. His appointment in 1998 was the subject of some controversy, but he was regarded as having a very beneficial influence on Lord Irvine, and serving also as a source of sound advice to Lord Falconer when the latter became Lord Chancellor in 2003. Hart helped guide the Lord Chancellor's Department as it became the Department for Constitutional Affairs
, and again as it became the Ministry of Justice
.
When Lord Falconer resigned in 2007, Lord Hart left his appointment. He had not spoken in the House of Lords
following his peerage as this was considered inconsistent with his Government role. However in 2007 he seconded the motion on the Queen's Speech
in very well received contribution.
Lord Hart lives in Chilton Hall in Suffolk
with his wife and two children. Lord Hart is also godfather to Tony Blair
's daughter Kathryn.
Chilton, Suffolk
Chilton is a civil parish on the eastern outskirts of Sudbury in Suffolk, England.Once a normal village, Chilton today consists of scattered clusters of housing and an isolated Church of St Mary, and is a prime example of a deserted medieval village....
(born 29 June 1940), is a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
politician. From 1998 to 2007, he was Expert and then Special Adviser to the Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
, first Lord Irvine of Lairg
Derry Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg
Alexander Andrew Mackay Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg, PC, QC , known as Derry Irvine, is a British lawyer and political figure who served as Lord Chancellor under his former pupil barrister Tony Blair....
and then Lord Falconer of Thoroton
Charles Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton
Charles Leslie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton, PC is a British Labour politician, who became the Lord Chancellor and the first Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs in 2003...
.
Before entering public service Hart was a highly successful planning solicitor with Herbert Smith
Herbert Smith
Herbert Smith LLP is an international law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The firm has offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm was founded in the City of London in 1882 by Norman Herbert Smith and today has 240 partners and 1,300 fee-earners.-History:The firm was...
. His appointment in 1998 was the subject of some controversy, but he was regarded as having a very beneficial influence on Lord Irvine, and serving also as a source of sound advice to Lord Falconer when the latter became Lord Chancellor in 2003. Hart helped guide the Lord Chancellor's Department as it became the Department for Constitutional Affairs
Department for Constitutional Affairs
The Department for Constitutional Affairs was a United Kingdom government department. Its creation was announced on 12 June 2003 with the intention of replacing the Lord Chancellor's Department...
, and again as it became the Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Justice is a ministerial department of the UK Government headed by the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, who is responsible for improvements to the justice system so that it better serves the public...
.
When Lord Falconer resigned in 2007, Lord Hart left his appointment. He had not spoken in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
following his peerage as this was considered inconsistent with his Government role. However in 2007 he seconded the motion on the Queen's Speech
Speech from the Throne
A speech from the throne is an event in certain monarchies in which the reigning sovereign reads a prepared speech to a complete session of parliament, outlining the government's agenda for the coming session...
in very well received contribution.
Lord Hart lives in Chilton Hall in Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
with his wife and two children. Lord Hart is also godfather to Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
's daughter Kathryn.