The ways in which lawyer independence can be compromised

As many will know, the Chilcot report into the UK Goverment's decision to take military action in Iraq has been published. The process for providing legal advice on the legality of military action has been subject to searching criticism.  I have blogged on it here.  The report provides a host of insights into the process by which Government Ministers, especially the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, interacted with, managed and used legal advice and formal opinions, and the potential failings of the most senior Government lawyer to deal with the pressures of the situation.  Overall, the story provides a number of very useful examples of how independence of judgment is strengthened and weakened by the way the job of advising is carried out and structured.