New British prime minister Rishi Sunak has appointed Dominic Raab (pictured) to his former post as lord chancellor, deputy prime minister, and justice secretary.

The Law Society Gazette of England and Wales reports that Sunak dismissed Brandon Lewis in one of the first moves of his ministerial reshuffle.

The Gazette adds that Raab's reappointment suggests that his Bill of Rights Bill – introduced in June but put on hold under Lewis – will resume its progress through parliament.

Braverman back

The reshuffle also brings Suella Braverman back as home secretary, six days after her resignation from the Liz Truss government.

Victoria Prentis, a former civil servant in the Treasury Solicitor's Department, has been appointed attorney general.

The Gazette says that the new government's full response to an independent review of legal aid, which is due to be published next month, will be at the top of Raab's in-tray.

Society wants action on legal aid

Law Society president Lubna Shuja said that the justice system must be a key priority for Sunak.

“We call on the new prime minister to fix our chronically under-funded justice system, and commit to implementing the full 15% criminal legal-aid-rate increase, which was the minimum recommended by Lord Bellamy.

“The civil legal-aid review – which has been on pause since 2018 – must be launched urgently to ensure timely access to justice for all.”