*/
Victims of crime are at the mercy of a ‘postcode lottery’ in a criminal justice system that is close to breaking point, MPs warned.
A report from the cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said the system was ‘bedevilled by long standing poor performance including delays and inefficiencies, and costs are being shunted from one part of the system to another’.
Highlighting ‘damning statistics’, it found that ‘about two-thirds of crown court trials are delayed or do not go ahead at all and only 55% of those who have been a witness say they would be prepared to do so again’.
The report said the ‘overstretched and disjointed’ system does not adequately support victims and witnesses and said that timely access to justice is too dependent on where they live.
It noted ‘critical failings in management from the top down’ and said that the Ministry of Justice ‘has been too slow to recognise where the system is under stress, and to take action to deal with it’.
PAC chair, Meg Hillier, said: ‘An effective criminal justice system is a cornerstone of civil society but ours is at risk.’
Bar Chairman, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, said the situation is ‘a consequence of the 26% cuts since 2010-2011’ and called for justice to be ring-fenced from future cuts.
See further' Westminster Watch', in this month's issue.
Victims of crime are at the mercy of a ‘postcode lottery’ in a criminal justice system that is close to breaking point, MPs warned.
A report from the cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said the system was ‘bedevilled by long standing poor performance including delays and inefficiencies, and costs are being shunted from one part of the system to another’.
Highlighting ‘damning statistics’, it found that ‘about two-thirds of crown court trials are delayed or do not go ahead at all and only 55% of those who have been a witness say they would be prepared to do so again’.
The report said the ‘overstretched and disjointed’ system does not adequately support victims and witnesses and said that timely access to justice is too dependent on where they live.
It noted ‘critical failings in management from the top down’ and said that the Ministry of Justice ‘has been too slow to recognise where the system is under stress, and to take action to deal with it’.
PAC chair, Meg Hillier, said: ‘An effective criminal justice system is a cornerstone of civil society but ours is at risk.’
Bar Chairman, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, said the situation is ‘a consequence of the 26% cuts since 2010-2011’ and called for justice to be ring-fenced from future cuts.
See further' Westminster Watch', in this month's issue.
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
Most of us like to think we would risk our career in order to meet our ethical obligations, so why have so many lawyers failed to hold the line? asks Flora Page
If your current practice environment is bringing you down, seek a new one. However daunting the change, it will be worth it, says Anon Barrister
Creating advocacy opportunities for juniors is now the expectation but not always easy to put into effect. Tom Mitcheson KC distils developing best practice from the Patents Court initiative already bearing fruit
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
The long-running fee-paid judicial pensions saga continues. The current cut-off date for giving notice of election to join FPJPS is 31 March 2024, and that date now gives rise to a serious problem, warns HH John Platt
