Wikipedia:Today's featured article/November 5, 2004

The Lord Chancellor is one of the most senior and important functionaries in the government of the United Kingdom. He is a Great Officer of State, and is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister and is, by convention, always a peer, although there is no legal impediment to the appointment of a commoner. The Lord Chancellor's responsibilities are wide-ranging; they include presiding over the House of Lords, participating in the Cabinet, acting as the custodian of the Great Seal and heading the judiciary. Concerns over these wide-ranging powers have led to a proposal to abolish the office from Tony Blair's ministry. A Bill to achieve the desired effect has been proposed, but has not been passed into law. Lord Falconer of Thoroton is the current Lord Chancellor. (more...)

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