Richard Hermer’s office refused to say last night whether the Attorney General has received payments from legal work conducted before the election after entering office. A common occurence for chambers which make use of Conditional Fee Arrangements…
In Parliament this month Hermer could not recall whether he had worked under those fee arrangements for previous clients – a list which includes Gerry Adams and human rights group Liberty in its defence of Shamima Begum. He has not declared any payments in the register of interests. Sources in his office “note” earnings for work conducted before entering don’t have to be registered because there is no “ongoing obligation” to the client, but Starmer took a different approach and has previously declared income received for past legal work. This is a difference in approach between the PM and his AG…
The Cabinet Office refused Robert Jenrick’s demand for an investigation into Hermer’s clients. The Shadow Justice Secretary has now written to the Lords Commissioner for Standards to ask for an investigation into the non-declarations. He adds that seeing as Hermer has “now served in government for six months, any omissions in his register of interests would represent a persistent breach of the Code spanning a significant period.” Jenrick has the bit between his teeth on this and is leading the Tory charge…
Read Jenrick’s full letter below:
“Dear Lords Commissioner for Standards,
I write to request an investigation into a potential breach of the House of Lords Code of Conduct by the Rt Hon. Lord Hermer KC regarding the declaration of financial interests.
Upon examination of Lord Hermer’s register of interests, I note with concern the absence of any declarations relating to his previous work at Matrix Chambers. This omission is particularly significant given Lord Hermer’s position as Attorney General and his extensive practice at the Bar.
The matter warrants investigation for several reasons:
First, barristers typically receive payments significantly in arrears of their work, often months or years after services are rendered. This is especially pertinent in cases involving Conditional Fee Arrangements (CFAs), which Matrix Chambers routinely offers. Indeed, when questioned about such arrangements at the Justice Select Committee on 15 January 2025, Lord Hermer was unable to recall whether he had acted under CFAs for certain clients.
Second, the Code of Conduct is explicit on the requirement to declare such income:
“63. Members providing legal and arbitral services need to register the identity of registrable clients and parties under this category only once (a) the identity of the client or party has entered the public domain or (b) they have been paid for the work (wholly or in part), whichever comes first.
…
67. Members who have previously practised a profession may register that profession under this category with a bracketed remark such as “[non-practising]” after the entry.”
Other members of the House with similar professional backgrounds routinely declare such interest and the same can be said for those who routinely register royalties from books. Even if the work itself was prior to service in the House of Lords or House of Commons, payments are considered registrable.
Third, this matter takes on particular significance given Lord Hermer’s current role as Attorney General. The potential ongoing receipt of payments from former clients in matters where he may now be advising Government raises serious questions about the management of conflicts of interest.
The House of Lords Guide to the Code of Conduct makes clear that the registration of interests exists to provide transparency and maintain public confidence. As the Government’s chief legal adviser, it is crucial that Lord Hermer’s compliance with these requirements is beyond reproach.
Furthermore, given that Lord Hermer has now served in government for six months, any omissions in his register of interests would represent a persistent breach of the Code spanning a significant period. This extended duration adds considerable weight to the concerns raised and underscores the importance of a thorough investigation.
I would be grateful for your investigation into whether Lord Hermer:
- Has received any payments from previous legal work since his appointment that should have been declared;
- Continues to have any outstanding CFAs or other fee arrangements that may result in future payments;
- Has complied with Paragraph 67 regarding the registration of previous professional practice; and
- Has breached the Code of Conduct.
Given the constitutional implications and public interest in this matter, I will be publishing a copy of this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon. Robert Jenrick MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice”
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”