Law and Rights
We are now in the phoney war prior to the general election campaign kicking off proper. A coalition of legal and campaigning organisations, including the Bar Council, Legal Action Group and the Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG), has just launched "A manifesto for justice" setting out important points and principles for discussion in the months leading up to this year?s general election. The manifesto calls for an effective justice system and stresses the importance of good governance and the rule of law. Well worth a read and it is not too long.
Unfortunately, the law is generally associated with cost, difficulty and delay. It has been said, sarcastically, that "Justice, like the Ritz Hotel, is open to all." The large costs of bringing a civil case have been looked at by Lord Justice Jackson and he has now reported ? see The Jackson report. It is a detailed and lengthy document but it makes important recommendations. The timing of the report might be somewhat poor given the impending election and the fact that implementation of some of the recommendations will require legislation. It is to be hoped that this valuable report is not allowed to gather dust. The Ministry of Justice has stated that it will look at the recommendations in depth and "will set out the way forward in due course."
The reactions of some lawyers to the Jackson Report may be read at The Lawyer. Further comment is at Solicitors Journal and Legalweek.
- Legal Aid Cuts Threaten Our Very Democracy
'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...
- 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...
- A Glance At The Law Commission's Work
The Law Commission reviews areas of the law that have become unduly complicated, outdated or unfair. Following a process of research and consultation, the Commission makes recommendations for reform of the law to Government. The functions of the...
- Recent Developments
Civil Justice Centre ManchesterModern British governments are ceaselessly active in relation to legal matters. Here are just some of the latest developments: Civil Justice: The Ministry of Justice has announced a consultation "Solving disputes...
- The Compensation "culture" - "common Sense: Common Safety"
Lord Young of Graffham's report - "Common sense: common safety" - has been published. It contains a significant number of recommendations which, if implemented, will affect the "health and safety" regime across the legal system, business, education,...
Law and Rights
Two documents: A manifesto for justice and the Jackson Report on Costs in Civil Cases
We are now in the phoney war prior to the general election campaign kicking off proper. A coalition of legal and campaigning organisations, including the Bar Council, Legal Action Group and the Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG), has just launched "A manifesto for justice" setting out important points and principles for discussion in the months leading up to this year?s general election. The manifesto calls for an effective justice system and stresses the importance of good governance and the rule of law. Well worth a read and it is not too long.
Unfortunately, the law is generally associated with cost, difficulty and delay. It has been said, sarcastically, that "Justice, like the Ritz Hotel, is open to all." The large costs of bringing a civil case have been looked at by Lord Justice Jackson and he has now reported ? see The Jackson report. It is a detailed and lengthy document but it makes important recommendations. The timing of the report might be somewhat poor given the impending election and the fact that implementation of some of the recommendations will require legislation. It is to be hoped that this valuable report is not allowed to gather dust. The Ministry of Justice has stated that it will look at the recommendations in depth and "will set out the way forward in due course."
The reactions of some lawyers to the Jackson Report may be read at The Lawyer. Further comment is at Solicitors Journal and Legalweek.
- Legal Aid Cuts Threaten Our Very Democracy
'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...
- 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...
- A Glance At The Law Commission's Work
The Law Commission reviews areas of the law that have become unduly complicated, outdated or unfair. Following a process of research and consultation, the Commission makes recommendations for reform of the law to Government. The functions of the...
- Recent Developments
Civil Justice Centre ManchesterModern British governments are ceaselessly active in relation to legal matters. Here are just some of the latest developments: Civil Justice: The Ministry of Justice has announced a consultation "Solving disputes...
- The Compensation "culture" - "common Sense: Common Safety"
Lord Young of Graffham's report - "Common sense: common safety" - has been published. It contains a significant number of recommendations which, if implemented, will affect the "health and safety" regime across the legal system, business, education,...