Former SJ Berwin partner Jonathan Djanogly has been handed the brief for legal services and civil law as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) today (20 May) confirmed the responsibilities of its new ministerial team.

The appointment means that the Conservative MP for Huntingdon will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Legal Services Act, which will usher in radical reform of the legal market in England and Wales.

The new Government's policy on implementing the Act will be watched closely, with the Conservatives previously indicating that they may slow down the introduction of the legislation, which is set to allow outside investment in law firms.

Djanogly, who previously practised as a corporate partner at SJ Berwin, also takes on policy responsibility for HM Courts Services, family justice, and the offices of court funds. The former shadow solicitor general was named as Parliamentary under secretary of state at the MoJ on Monday (17 May).

The granting of the civil law brief to a Parliamentary under secretary, the most junior level of Government, comes despite the UK's position as one of the largest markets for legal services and commercial litigation in the world.

He is joined by Conservative MP Nick Herbert and Liberal Democrat Lord McNally as ministers of state for the MoJ. Conservative MP Crispin Blunt was also named as Parliamentary under secretary of state.

McNally will take responsibility for areas including civil liberties, law reform and freedom of information, and will also provide support to the Secretary of State on constitutional matters and on EU and international business.

Herbert, the Conservative MP for Arundel and South Downs, has been appointed as police minister and will be responsible for criminal justice strategy, reporting to both the Justice Secretary and Home Secretary. Blunt will take responsibility for criminal justice and youth justice.

The four ministers will work under Kenneth Clarke, who was appointed Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice in Prime Minister David Cameron's new cabinet on 12 May. He will be responsible for issues including the constitution, judicial policy and EU and international.

A number of the ministerial appointments came as a surprise with the Conservative Party having to substantially shake up its front bench to accommodate its new coalition partnership with the Liberal Democrats.

Clarke commented: "I am pleased to welcome a team of able and distinguished ministers to the Ministry of Justice, who I believe will bring a great range of talent and experience to the department."

The coalition Government also today unveiled a more detailed set of policy commitments, which were agreed as the result of the coalition deal between the two parties which was finalised on 11 May. The document confirms plans to introduce a single agency to tackle white collar crime and a review of libel laws to protect free speech.