When the Prime Minister created DCA last June, it was a real challenge: to establish a new Department, and to move ahead with a largescale agenda for reform in all the areas in which we work - justice, rights and democracy. I believe we've made real progress: but of course, there is a lot more to do.
Justice, rights and democracy: big words, big ideas. But big though they are, they're real. They matter. It matters to victims of crime that wrongs done to them are righted. It matters to defendants that charges of which they are accused are examined and judged fairly, impartially and independently. It matters to people seeking resolution to their family problems, of divorce, of custody, of property, that these issues are settled speedily and properly. That's why reform is important. Because getting these things right for people really matters.
As a Department, we're changing our focus to reflect that. Our stakeholders are important: we have strong and effective partnerships with the people and organisations with whom we work. But the work of this Department is not primarily for lawyers or constitutional experts. It is instead for the public - for the people the Department is there to serve.
Over 90 per cent of DCA staff work in frontline services. The focus of the Department, from Ministers onwards, must be to ensure that people receive the service they need and deserve.
I believe we are making great strides towards that goal - and in large part that's because of the huge contribution that everyone working for the Department is making - in whatever part they work. I'm grateful for that - and I thank everyone in DCA for all that they do.
We have had some setbacks. That's inevitable. If you are engaged on a programme of reform, whether it's concerned with the courts or the constitution, legal services or the Lords, not everything will always move forward smoothly. Our agenda is large. The challenges are real. Our task is to tackle them.
I know these are tough objectives. But I believe that trying to reach them is exciting, and important. I'm confident that, working together, DCA can achieve them.
Rt Hon Lord Falconer QC
Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor