The incumbent is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom.

Since the office's inception, the incumbent has concurrently been appointed Lord Chancellor.

The officeholder works alongside the other justice ministers.

The corresponding shadow minister is the shadow secretary of state for justice, and the performance of the secretary of state is also scrutinised by the Justice Select Committee.

The justice secretary is responsible throughout the UK for: In relation to England and Wales, the justice secretary's portfolio concerns the following matters: The then Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer of Thoroton, was appointed to the post of Secretary of State for Justice when it was created in 2007.