Law and Rights
'Without access to justice for all, inequalities take on a more dangerous edge which threatens the legitimacy of not just the justice system but our democracy.'
Legal aid and access to justice have both become prevailing themes on this and other blogs. Legal aid in civil cases has been severely reduced and this coupled with vastly increased charges for the "privilege" of using courts or tribunals has put access to justice out of reach for many.
A letter in The Guardian 1st May strongly makes the point that access to justice is a key element in our democracy. The letter is signed by numerous individuals including two retired Court of Appeal judges. The next government is called upon:
' to abandon the highly controversial restructuring of criminal defence, restore legal help to the many currently without redress and to establish a royal commission to investigate the current crisis regarding the diminution of access to justice. In addition we call for an independent body to review legal aid rates, including expert witness rates so as to depoliticise them and instead move to an evidence-based approach to ensure public need is adequately met in the provision of legal services.'
Please read the letter at The Guardian 1st May 2015 and please bear this in mind when choosing who to vote for in the General Election.
Law and Lawyers - The Conservative Party manifesto
Law and Lawyers - The fight for access to justice
Law and Lawyers - A very brief glance at the Labour Party manifesto
- The Conservative Party Manifesto And Human Rights
The Conservative Party manifesto states that the terms of British EU membership will be renegotiated and an in/out referendum held. The Human Rights Act will be "scrapped" and replaced by a British Bill of Rights. As for legal aid, the document...
- A Glance At The Labour Party Manifesto
Here are some of the "justice highlights" in the Labour Party Manifesto for the 2015 General Election. The full manifesto is here and is summarised at Election 2015: Labour Manifesto at-a-glance The EU and Human Rights: Labour would work to reform...
- It's No Good ...!
A stench of Ministerial hypocrisy pervaded central London this week. The Global Law Summit was a "stellar" event attended by legal notables from around the world. The Secretary of State for Justice spoke of the importance of the rule of law and...
- Happy New Year 2015
Here's wishing all readers a very Happy New Year 2015. As 2014 petered out I could not help but think that the year saw the continuation of the relentless attack by the elected government on access to justice for the average citizen. The severe...
- Legal Aid ~ Consultation Closes 4th June
Under government proposals, criminal legal aid will be severely curtailed - Money, money, money ... just where is Justice heading?. and 'The real 'scumbag criminal' is still free ~ A matter at democracy's heart'. The government's...
Law and Rights
Legal aid cuts threaten our very democracy
Legal aid and access to justice have both become prevailing themes on this and other blogs. Legal aid in civil cases has been severely reduced and this coupled with vastly increased charges for the "privilege" of using courts or tribunals has put access to justice out of reach for many.
A letter in The Guardian 1st May strongly makes the point that access to justice is a key element in our democracy. The letter is signed by numerous individuals including two retired Court of Appeal judges. The next government is called upon:
' to abandon the highly controversial restructuring of criminal defence, restore legal help to the many currently without redress and to establish a royal commission to investigate the current crisis regarding the diminution of access to justice. In addition we call for an independent body to review legal aid rates, including expert witness rates so as to depoliticise them and instead move to an evidence-based approach to ensure public need is adequately met in the provision of legal services.'
Please read the letter at The Guardian 1st May 2015 and please bear this in mind when choosing who to vote for in the General Election.
Law and Lawyers - The Conservative Party manifesto
Law and Lawyers - The fight for access to justice
Law and Lawyers - A very brief glance at the Labour Party manifesto
Open letter from Bar chairman, vice chairman and others; 100+ lawyers, doctors, peers, judges condemns #legalaid cuts @guardian http://t.co/EdzIxZcYP6? The Bar Council (@thebarcouncil) May 1, 2015
- The Conservative Party Manifesto And Human Rights
The Conservative Party manifesto states that the terms of British EU membership will be renegotiated and an in/out referendum held. The Human Rights Act will be "scrapped" and replaced by a British Bill of Rights. As for legal aid, the document...
- A Glance At The Labour Party Manifesto
Here are some of the "justice highlights" in the Labour Party Manifesto for the 2015 General Election. The full manifesto is here and is summarised at Election 2015: Labour Manifesto at-a-glance The EU and Human Rights: Labour would work to reform...
- It's No Good ...!
A stench of Ministerial hypocrisy pervaded central London this week. The Global Law Summit was a "stellar" event attended by legal notables from around the world. The Secretary of State for Justice spoke of the importance of the rule of law and...
- Happy New Year 2015
Here's wishing all readers a very Happy New Year 2015. As 2014 petered out I could not help but think that the year saw the continuation of the relentless attack by the elected government on access to justice for the average citizen. The severe...
- Legal Aid ~ Consultation Closes 4th June
Under government proposals, criminal legal aid will be severely curtailed - Money, money, money ... just where is Justice heading?. and 'The real 'scumbag criminal' is still free ~ A matter at democracy's heart'. The government's...