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Only a quarter of the population believe the UK’s legal system is ‘fair and transparent’, according to a survey published by a London law firm.
More than 50% felt the system was inaccessible and two thirds believed that wealth was the most important factor in gaining access to justice.
The poll of more than 2,000 people carried out for Hodge Jones & Allen also revealed that only 37% trusted professionals working in the legal system.
On a more positive note, just over 70% said better education in legal matters would improve access to justice and a similar percentage felt that legal matters should be taught in primary and secondary schools.
Patrick Allen, senior partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: ‘These statistics represent a damning indictment of the British justice system.
‘If millions of people across the country are intimidated, alienated and confused by the prospect of seeking justice in 21st-century Britain then we should consider our legal system to have failed in its fundamental duty to provide justice for all.’
Meanwhile, separate research from Citizens Advice showed that 70% of the population would be unable to afford a lawyer if they needed help with a legal problem.
The survey of more than 2,000 people found that almost 70% said they would feel uncomfortable talking to a lawyer and only about half thought they would be treated with dignity and respect if they had to go to court.
Around a third thought they would not get the opportunity for their voice to be heard in court and under 40% believed the justice system was working well.
Only a quarter of the population believe the UK’s legal system is ‘fair and transparent’, according to a survey published by a London law firm.
More than 50% felt the system was inaccessible and two thirds believed that wealth was the most important factor in gaining access to justice.
The poll of more than 2,000 people carried out for Hodge Jones & Allen also revealed that only 37% trusted professionals working in the legal system.
On a more positive note, just over 70% said better education in legal matters would improve access to justice and a similar percentage felt that legal matters should be taught in primary and secondary schools.
Patrick Allen, senior partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: ‘These statistics represent a damning indictment of the British justice system.
‘If millions of people across the country are intimidated, alienated and confused by the prospect of seeking justice in 21st-century Britain then we should consider our legal system to have failed in its fundamental duty to provide justice for all.’
Meanwhile, separate research from Citizens Advice showed that 70% of the population would be unable to afford a lawyer if they needed help with a legal problem.
The survey of more than 2,000 people found that almost 70% said they would feel uncomfortable talking to a lawyer and only about half thought they would be treated with dignity and respect if they had to go to court.
Around a third thought they would not get the opportunity for their voice to be heard in court and under 40% believed the justice system was working well.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
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
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
