MPs vote to create or amend new laws in Parliament but how do they know who gives the government legal advice about the laws it wants to introduce, how they're written and then put into operation.

Alma- Constance and Lucinda ask Susanna McGibbon, the government's most senior legal official in the civil service and permanent secretary of the government legal department, which provides the full range of legal services to government departments and other public bodies.

Susanna tells us:

·      Why she’s called the Treasury Solicitor

·      How important it is for the rule of law to be upheld by those in power

·      How the different ages that apply for children and young people that affect their rights and responsibilities are decided

·      Whether children’s  views are obtained about new laws

·      The government legal department involvement in the Online Safety Bill

·      That its important that  the government legal department reflects the diversity of people in the UK

Susanna says that when she was 10 years old, she enjoyed playing sport being outside with lots of friends and loved reading and writing.

Written, edited and produced by Lucinda Acland

References and Resources

@SusannaMcGibbon

@PermsecGLD

@GovernmentLegal

https://www.counselmagazine.co.uk/articles/treasury-solicitor-susanna-mcgibbon

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/treasury-solicitor-s-department/about

https://www.supremecourt.uk/docs/separation-of-powers-worksheets-for-teachers.pdf

At what age?

Youth Parliament

If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info  or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo

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