Richard Hermer, Baron Hermer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Lord Hermer PC KC
Official portrait, 2024
Attorney General for England and Wales Advocate General for Northern Ireland
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 July 2024
Prime Minister	Keir Starmer
Preceded by	Victoria Prentis
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal
Incumbent
Assumed office 22 July 2024 Life Peerage
Personal details
Born	Richard Simon Hermer 1968 (age 56–57) South Glamorgan, Wales
Political party	Labour
Children	2
Relatives	Jonathan Shalit (cousin)
Education	Cardiff High School University of Manchester (BA)

Richard Simon Hermer, also known as Baron Hermer, was born in 1968. He is a top lawyer in Britain who became the Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland in July 2024. This means he is the main legal advisor to the government.

Hermer grew up in South Glamorgan, Wales, and went to Cardiff High School. He studied politics and history at the University of Manchester. After university, he became a lawyer in 1993. He worked on many important cases, including those involving human rights and environmental issues. He also helped victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.

In July 2024, after the general election, Keir Starmer became Prime Minister. He chose Richard Hermer to be the Attorney General. Hermer also became a life peer, which means he was given the title of Baron Hermer and became a member of the House of Lords.

Early Life and Education

Richard Simon Hermer was born in South Glamorgan in 1968. His family was Jewish. His father was a lawyer and a local politician. His mother had different political views. Hermer often worked in his father's office during school holidays.

He grew up in Cardiff and went to Cardiff High School. He enjoyed English, history, and drama. He even thought about becoming a theatre director. Later, he studied politics and modern history at the University of Manchester. While at university, he was involved in student politics. He also volunteered for a magazine called Searchlight, which works against fascism.

Legal Career (1993–2024)

Hermer became a lawyer in October 1993. He started his career in Cardiff but later moved to London. He wanted to work on human rights cases. He joined a law firm called Doughty Street Chambers. There, he met Keir Starmer, who later became Prime Minister. They worked together on many cases.

In 2012, Hermer moved to another law firm, Matrix Chambers. He became the head of their management team. He focused on human rights law, public law, and environmental law. He was known as an expert in international law. In 2019, he became a deputy High Court judge.

Important Cases

Hermer worked on many significant cases throughout his career. He often represented people who needed help with human rights issues.

Derek Bentley Case

Hermer represented the family of Derek Bentley. Bentley was a British man who was executed in 1953 but was later found to be innocent.

Police Misconduct Cases

Hermer worked on cases involving police misconduct. This included cases related to the shooting of James Ashley and the killing of Mark Duggan. He helped families seek justice in these situations.

Mau Mau Torture Victims

Hermer represented Kenyan victims who were tortured during the Mau Mau rebellion in the 1950s. He helped them sue the British government for compensation. In 2013, the British government agreed to pay around £20 million to the victims.

Slavery Reparations Advice

Hermer advised Caribbean nations on seeking reparations for slavery from Britain. He helped human rights lawyers prepare their case. This work helped form a 10-point plan for reparations in 2014.

Lungowe v Vedanta Resources plc

In 2019, Hermer represented people from Zambia in a case against a mining company called Vedanta Resources. He argued that they faced challenges getting justice in Zambia due to lack of funding.

"ISIS Beatles" Case

Hermer represented the mother of one of the "ISIS Beatles" members. He helped block Britain from sharing intelligence with the US without assurances that her son would not face the death penalty.

Begum v Home Secretary

In 2020, Hermer represented a human rights group called Liberty. They argued that Shamima Begum should have been allowed to return to the UK to appeal the decision to take away her citizenship. He argued that taking away citizenship was a very serious power.

Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc

In 2020, Hermer represented Nigerian villagers in a case against Royal Dutch Shell. He argued that the company had caused major oil spills that damaged the environment. In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that the villagers' claims could go to trial.

Grenfell Tower Fire Victims

Hermer represented over 900 victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. He led negotiations that resulted in a settlement of about £150 million in 2023. He said that no amount of money could truly make up for what the victims went through.

Ukraine Task Force

In March 2022, Hermer was appointed to a legal task force. This group worked with the Ukrainian government to hold Russia accountable for crimes committed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Asylum Seeker Age Assessment

Hermer represented an Eritrean man who claimed asylum as a child but was treated as an adult by immigration officers. He challenged the government's rules on how they assess the age of asylum seekers. He lost this case in the Supreme Court in 2021.

Zubaydah v FCDO

Between 2021 and 2023, Hermer represented Abu Zubaydah, a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay. Zubaydah claimed he was tortured and that UK intelligence services were involved. Hermer argued that English law should apply to the case. In 2023, the Supreme Court agreed that English law was applicable.

Anti-BDS Bill Advice

In 2023, Hermer advised the Labour Party on a proposed bill about public bodies and overseas matters. He said the bill was poorly written and would limit free speech. Some politicians criticized his views on this topic.

Gerry Adams Claims

In 2023, Hermer was the lawyer for former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams. Adams faced claims for damages related to bombings. Hermer argued that the group Adams was linked to could not be sued in law.

Sri Lankan Asylum Seekers

In 2023, Hermer represented Sri Lankan asylum seekers who tried to reach Britain from the Chagos Islands. He argued that they had been treated poorly by British authorities. The High Court dismissed this case.

Important Inquests

Hermer also worked on inquests, which are investigations into deaths.

Adam Rickwood Inquest

In 2007, Hermer represented the family of Adam Rickwood, the youngest person to die in custody in modern times. He argued that Rickwood died due to "systemic failures" and an "unlawful" restraint method.

Stephen Allbutt Inquest

In 2007, Hermer acted for the families of two soldiers, Stephen Allbutt and David Clarke, who were killed in a "friendly fire" incident during the Iraq War. He argued that important documents were not given to the families.

Ella Kissi-Debrah Inquest

In 2020, Hermer represented the family of Ella Kissi-Debrah. The inquest later found that Ella died from air pollution. Hermer accused the local council of not taking air pollution seriously enough.

Afghan Unlawful Killings Inquiry

In 2023, Hermer represented families of victims in a public inquiry. This inquiry looked into the killing of 80 civilians by the SAS in Afghanistan. He sought evidence that the SAS might have been unlawfully killing Afghan civilians.

Political Involvement (Before 2024)

Hermer has supported the Labour Party since he was a teenager. He became interested in politics because of the Anti-Apartheid Movement. He also donated money to Keir Starmer's campaign when Starmer was running to be the leader of the Labour Party in 2020.

Attorney General (2024–Present)

On July 5, 2024, Richard Hermer was appointed Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland. This happened after Keir Starmer became Prime Minister. It was a surprise appointment because another Labour MP was expected to get the job. Hermer is the first Attorney General in over a century who had not served in Parliament before getting the role.

On July 15, Hermer was officially sworn in. He said that legal advice from government lawyers would "always be guided by law not politics." He was made a life peer on July 18, becoming Baron Hermer. He joined the House of Lords on July 22.

Government Policy

Hermer has spoken about the government's plans to strengthen the rule of law. He confirmed that the UK would continue to support the European Convention on Human Rights. He also said the government would work to tackle climate change.

He has also called for changes to the United Nations Security Council to include more countries. In October 2024, he attended a UN Security Council meeting to talk about empowering women and girls.

Hermer has emphasized that attacking judges personally is "unacceptable" and a "huge threat to the rule of law." He also believes that "raw and wild power" is not the best way for a country to achieve its goals.

Legal Risk Guidance

In November 2024, Hermer made changes to the official guidance on legal risk for government lawyers. He said that lawyers must advise ministers if policies are unlawful. This reversed earlier changes that had made the guidance less strict. He wants to ensure that government actions are always lawful.

ECHR and Immigration Cases

In January 2025, Hermer confirmed that the UK government would "never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights". He said it was a "point of national pride" and reflected "great, longstanding British values."

He also supported the Home Secretary reviewing how Article 8 of the ECHR (which protects family life and privacy) is used in immigration cases. He believes the asylum system can be "robust, efficient and fair" while still following Article 8.

Domestic Affairs

2024 Riots

Following riots in August 2024, Hermer attended emergency government meetings. He gave permission to charge people for "stirring up racial hatred online." He said this was "unacceptable" and helped "fuel other criminal misconduct."

In August 2024, Hermer visited Liverpool and Southport to thank officials and meet community members. He said that those involved in the riots would "feel the consequence" of their actions. He believed that the "swift" and "severe" justice helped end the disorder.

Taylor Swift Security

During singer Taylor Swift's tour, the police provided her with an escort. Some reports suggested that Hermer was asked to get involved in the decision to provide this security. Critics called this "highly unusual." Hermer said that decisions like this are "solely an operational decision for the police."

Axel Rudakubana Sentence

In January 2025, Axel Rudakubana was sentenced to a very long prison term for serious crimes. Hermer rejected calls to review the sentence, saying that it was already one of the longest ever given in England. He stated that Rudakubana would likely "never be released."

Foreign Affairs

Russia–Ukraine War

In July 2024, Hermer met with the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. In September, he visited Ukraine to support efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions. He said that the UK stands with Ukraine "from the battlefield to the court room."

Gaza War and Iran–Israel War

In July 2024, Hermer visited Israel. He confirmed that the UK would not object to the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.

In September 2024, the government suspended some arms export licenses to Israel. This decision was coordinated by Hermer, the Foreign Office, and the Business and Trade department. This happened after a review found a "clear risk" of UK arms being used against international humanitarian law.

In June 2025, Hermer advised the government that the UK getting involved in any US strikes on Iran could be illegal.

Chagos Islands Deal

Hermer was involved in the UK government's agreement to give control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. He supported following the International Court of Justice's advice on this matter.

Other Notable Events

In July 2024, some Just Stop Oil protesters received long sentences. An open letter was sent to Hermer, asking him to meet to discuss the "jailing of truth tellers." Hermer's office stated that decisions on prosecution and sentencing are made independently of the government.

In September 2024, Hermer visited Northern Ireland for the first time as Attorney General. He was officially called to the Bar of Northern Ireland.

Criticism and Controversy in 2025

Conflicts of Interest

In January 2025, Hermer faced criticism about possible conflicts of interest. This was because of cases he worked on before becoming Attorney General. For example, he had represented Gerry Adams, and the government was planning to change a law that might benefit Adams. Hermer said that lawyers can represent clients regardless of their own views.

Some politicians called for him to step aside from certain cases, like the Afghanistan inquiry, because of his past work. They argued that he had taken on many cases against the British government.

Further concerns arose when asylum seekers he had previously represented were allowed to come to Britain from the Chagos Islands. Hermer's office did not say if he was involved in this decision.

In January 2025, a politician named Robert Jenrick asked for an investigation into Hermer's potential conflicts of interest. However, the Cabinet Secretary rejected this request. Hermer later said he had stepped aside from "certain matters" but could not say which ones.

Earnings Declaration

Hermer also faced criticism for not declaring his earnings since joining the government in July 2024. Ministers usually have to declare any income they receive. Hermer's office said this rule did not apply to money earned before he became a minister.

Criticism of Legal Risk Guidance

Some ministers were reportedly unhappy with Hermer's guidance on legal risk. They accused him of blocking policies. Hermer denied this, saying his changes were just to give ministers an "unvarnished assessment" of legal risk.

Further Criticism and Calls for Dismissal

Hermer faced more criticism for comments he made about the British Empire on podcasts. Some politicians called for him to be dismissed. In February 2025, during a parliamentary session, questions were raised about Hermer's suitability for the role.

He was also accused of blocking a plan to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine. In April 2025, Hermer's comments about not personally attacking judges also drew criticism from some politicians.

RUSI Speech and Nazi Comparison

In May 2025, Hermer gave a speech where he criticized some politicians' views on international law. He said that arguments to abandon international law were similar to those made by some German jurists in the 1930s. This was widely seen as comparing his critics to early Nazi Germany, which caused a lot of backlash.

Hermer's spokesperson later said that his "choice of words was clumsy" and he regretted the reference. However, many politicians continued to call for his dismissal.

Renewed Criticism and Further Calls for Dismissal

Hermer faced accusations of being unfair when he approved a trespassing charge against a former Myanmar ambassador. He also faced renewed criticism for approving the prosecution of a woman for stirring up racial hatred online, who received a two-and-a-half-year sentence. Critics pointed out that he had not reviewed other cases with shorter sentences for more serious crimes.

Reception

In late 2024 and early 2025, Hermer was seen as a very prominent and influential government lawyer. Some described him as Starmer's "legal warrior." However, he also became a target for criticism, with some calling him a "legal time bomb" for the government. His reputation as someone who might block policies led to him being called the "Herminator."

Political Positions

Self-Described Ideology

Hermer supports the Labour Party but does not belong to any specific group within it. He believes that Jeremy Corbyn's politics did not give Labour a good chance of being in government. He credits Keir Starmer with making the party more appealing.

Same-Sex Marriage

In 2012, Hermer was one of many Jewish people who signed a letter criticizing a religious leader for opposing same-sex marriage.

British Empire, Reparations, and Statues

In a 2020 podcast, Hermer said there was a "moral argument" for Britain to pay reparations for slavery. He also said that statues of slave owners should be removed. He believes that racism affected "almost every element" of the British Empire.

Environmental Activists

In a 2023 podcast, Hermer discussed new laws about protests. He said it was "inspiring" to see many people, especially young people, demonstrating their concern for the planet's future.

Israeli–Palestinian Conflict

In May 2023, Hermer was among lawyers who called on the government to participate in an International Court of Justice opinion on Israel's actions in Palestinian territory. He believes that the "continued Israeli occupation of the West Bank" is "unlawful."

In October 2023, he was among Jewish lawyers who called on Israel to follow international law in its response to attacks. He said it was "impossible to conceive" how Israel's siege of Gaza was "in compliance with international law."

Rwanda Asylum Plan

In January 2024, Hermer criticized the legality of the Rwanda bill, which aimed to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. He described the debate around immigration as "toxic" and "dehumanising."

European Union and Brexit

In 2020, Hermer joked that he would pass a law called "the European Union (Please Can We Come Back?) Act 2020." He believes that international cooperation is very important.

Donald Trump

Hermer has described former U.S. President Donald Trump as a "coward" and an "autocratic populist." He called him an "orange tyrant" and accused him of running a government of "chaos and hatred." He was critical of Trump's approach to the rule of law and his past comments about torture.

Populism

Hermer sees populism as a "divisive and disruptive force." He believes that populism often tries to "demonise other groups" and "discredit legal frameworks."

Personal Life

Hermer was raised in a Jewish family. He now describes himself as an agnostic and an atheist. He is a member of a Reform synagogue in London. He has family members who serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

Hermer is married and has two daughters. He lives in North London and is a fan of Welsh rugby. He is a cousin of Jonathan Shalit.

He is a close friend of Keir Starmer. They met when Hermer first started working at Doughty Street Chambers in 1996.

Honours and Recognition

• In 2009, Hermer was appointed Queen's Counsel (now KC), a special title for experienced lawyers.
• In August 2011, he was named The Times lawyer of the week.
• In July 2024, he was nominated for a "Group litigation silk of the year" award.
• On July 10, 2024, he became a member of the Privy Council, which means he can use the title "The Right Honourable" for life.