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.

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

Ministers of the Department of Constitutional Affairs as of 9th September 2004

Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor - The Rt Hon. The Lord Falconer of Thoroton, PC, QC
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State - Christopher Leslie, MP
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State - David Lammy, MP
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State - The Rt Hon. The Baroness Ashton of Upholland
- Advocate General for Scotland - Dr Lynda Clark, QC, MP
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (reporting to the Secretary of State for Scotland) - Anne McGuire, MP
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (reporting to the Secretary of State for Wales) - Don Touhig, MP

Departmental agencies

Court Service - Christopher Leslie
HM Land Registry - David Lammy
National Archives - The Baroness Ashton of Upholland
Public Guardianship Office - The Baroness Ashton of Upholland

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

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