Labour's new attorney general, Ellie Reeves, has scrapped legal guidance introduced by her predecessor Lord Hermer, which critics blamed for giving human rights lawyers an effective veto over government policy and hampering ministers' ability to act decisively. Hermer, a close friend of Sir Keir Starmer and fellow former human rights barrister, had faced criticism for a "snitch clause" urging civil servants to flag any ministerial action that might face legal challenge, as well as for his handling of issues including the Chagos Islands handover and support for Israel against Iran.

Reeves, alongside Chancellor John Healey and de facto deputy PM Louise Haigh, has told departments they can proceed with plans even where legal action is possible, provided there is "at least a tenable legal argument". New guidance replaces Hermer's approach, which reportedly added 23 references to international law and told staff to assume every government decision could be challenged, with advice designed to make ministers and lawyers feel "empowered to accept higher levels of risk". Hermer had previously defended his changes to the Justice Committee, saying he wanted to reinforce the importance of the rule of law and avoid diluting legal standards.