It is a role that reformers argue presents a conflict of interests and should be changed.

Early on in his tenure the lord chancellor found himself in hot water following the controversial decision to spend what was considered by the media and the opposition an inappropriate amount of money - £59,000 on wallpaper alone - re-doing his government apartments.

He has also been faced with strong criticism from the Conservatives after his impartiality in his judicial role was called into question when he wrote to Labour-supporting barristers asking them to contribute to party campaign funds.