*/
SPEAKING at two fringe meetings at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, the Chairman-Elect of the Bar Council, Peter Lodder QC, stressed the importance of the legal profession working with Government to maintain access to justice, despite forthcoming budget cuts.
He also called on the Government to ensure that any reforms to the legal aid system maintain high quality representation for all those eligible to receive it, particularly the most vulnerable members of society. Peter Lodder QC addressed delegates at a fringe meeting, co-hosted with the Society of Conservative Lawyers, on Access to Justice in an Age of Austerity. He also spoke at a separate
meeting, hosted by Policy Exchange, on the reform of the Legal Aid system. Jonathan Djanogly MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice, joined the speaking panel at both meetings.
Peter Lodder QC, Chairman-Elect of the Bar Council, said:
“It is abundantly clear that tough times lie ahead for the justice system, as the Ministry of Justice looks for £2bn of savings. The Bar and the wider legal profession will work with the Government, both to identify savings, be that by the simplification of laws, or taking a more rational approach to drug law or sentencing. But we must also educate Government on the potential unintended consequences that particular cuts may have. For example, a reduction in the quality of representation in criminal cases can increase the costs of cases, prolong trials and lead to more appeals as well as increase the risk of miscarriages of justice.”
On reform of legal aid, he said:
“The legal aid system, which last year marked its 60th anniversary as a front line service, is under considerable scrutiny and like other public services faces huge financial pressure. However, it remains a vital safety net both for society’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable as well as for hardworking members of society who deserve professional assistance in a time of great need. The Bar has embarked on
a change programme to adapt its working practices and business models to prepare for the expected changes which are likely to result from the Comprehensive Spending Review.
In return the Bar is looking to the Government to ensure that all service providers can offer their services to the public on a level playing field. The fundamental principles which underpin the system must be safeguarded for the future and not sacrificed on the altar of short-term savings.”
He also called on the Government to ensure that any reforms to the legal aid system maintain high quality representation for all those eligible to receive it, particularly the most vulnerable members of society. Peter Lodder QC addressed delegates at a fringe meeting, co-hosted with the Society of Conservative Lawyers, on Access to Justice in an Age of Austerity. He also spoke at a separate
meeting, hosted by Policy Exchange, on the reform of the Legal Aid system. Jonathan Djanogly MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice, joined the speaking panel at both meetings.
Peter Lodder QC, Chairman-Elect of the Bar Council, said:
“It is abundantly clear that tough times lie ahead for the justice system, as the Ministry of Justice looks for £2bn of savings. The Bar and the wider legal profession will work with the Government, both to identify savings, be that by the simplification of laws, or taking a more rational approach to drug law or sentencing. But we must also educate Government on the potential unintended consequences that particular cuts may have. For example, a reduction in the quality of representation in criminal cases can increase the costs of cases, prolong trials and lead to more appeals as well as increase the risk of miscarriages of justice.”
On reform of legal aid, he said:
“The legal aid system, which last year marked its 60th anniversary as a front line service, is under considerable scrutiny and like other public services faces huge financial pressure. However, it remains a vital safety net both for society’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable as well as for hardworking members of society who deserve professional assistance in a time of great need. The Bar has embarked on
a change programme to adapt its working practices and business models to prepare for the expected changes which are likely to result from the Comprehensive Spending Review.
In return the Bar is looking to the Government to ensure that all service providers can offer their services to the public on a level playing field. The fundamental principles which underpin the system must be safeguarded for the future and not sacrificed on the altar of short-term savings.”
SPEAKING at two fringe meetings at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, the Chairman-Elect of the Bar Council, Peter Lodder QC, stressed the importance of the legal profession working with Government to maintain access to justice, despite forthcoming budget cuts.
Chair of the Bar reports back
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, outlines the drug and alcohol testing options available for family law professionals, and how a new, free guide can help identify the most appropriate testing method for each specific case
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the latest ONS data on drug misuse and its implications for toxicology testing in family law cases
The odds of success are as unforgiving as ever, but ambition clearly isn’t in short supply. David Wurtzel’s annual deep‑dive into the competition cohort shows who’s entering, who’s thriving and the trends that will define the next wave
Where to start and where to find help? Monisha Shah, Chair of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel, provides an overview of the silk selection process, debunking some myths along the way
Do chatbot providers owe a duty of care for negligent misstatements? Jasper Wong suggests that the principles applicable to humans should apply equally to machines
There is no typical day in the life as a Supreme Court judicial assistant, says Josephine Gillingwater, and that’s what makes the role so enjoyably diverse
Kindness Ambassadors – coming to a courtroom near you! Valerie Charbit, Nicola Shannon KC and Professor Robin Banerjee update readers on the second phase of the project examining, and promoting, the impact of kindness and how it can fit into an adversarial system
