Counsel
The OPC is headed by the First Parliamentary Counsel, Stephen Laws CB.
Stephen Laws CB
Stephen is assisted by David Cook, the Second Parliamentary Counsel, and
Jim Barron CBE, the Chief Executive, whose role is to run the non-drafting side of the OPC and to support the First Parliamentary Counsel on various policy issues.
There are currently 56 Counsel at the PCO, three of whom are at the Law Commission.
Currently there are:
- 14 Parliamentary Counsel (including the First and Second Parliamentary Counsel)
- 16 Deputy Parliamentary Counsel
- 14 Senior Assistant Parliamentary Counsel
- 12 Assistant Parliamentary Counsel.
- Full List
Teams
Typically a team of two or three Counsel is allocated to a Bill or other project. A team will be led by a senior member of the Office (Parliamentary Counsel or Deputy Parliamentary Counsel). Some Counsel may work on two or more differently constituted teams.
Support Staff
Counsel at 36 Whitehall are assisted by 20 support staff, headed up by the Chief Executive, Jim Barron CBE.
