*/
Criminal Bar leaders have called on politicians to invest in the justice system.
Francis FitzGibbon QC and Angela Rafferty QC, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said that after Brexit, the legal system as a whole will be among the UK’s most prestigious and important assets.
The rule of law, they said, depends on a properly funded court system, with careers as lawyers and judges open to talent – without restriction by class, ethnicity or wealth.
But, they said: ‘Governments for at least 25 years have allowed criminal justice to degrade, from the police service, through the publicly funded part of the legal profession, the courts, to the prisons and the probation service.
‘Violent crime is rising and the system is dealing with a tsunami of highly sensitive sex cases, which are set to occupy it for years to come – it is imperative that enough investment is put in, across the sector, to ensure that the rights of victims and defendants are upheld.’
If £3bn can be found to repair the Houses of Parliament, the pair said, money must be available to invest in justice: ‘It is not an optional extra, but an essential element in a fair and tolerant society.’
They called on the next government to reverse the legal aid cuts, support the independent criminal Bar, repair the collapsing fabric of court buildings and retain the Human Rights Act as a powerful protector of victims.
Criminal Bar leaders have called on politicians to invest in the justice system.
Francis FitzGibbon QC and Angela Rafferty QC, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said that after Brexit, the legal system as a whole will be among the UK’s most prestigious and important assets.
The rule of law, they said, depends on a properly funded court system, with careers as lawyers and judges open to talent – without restriction by class, ethnicity or wealth.
But, they said: ‘Governments for at least 25 years have allowed criminal justice to degrade, from the police service, through the publicly funded part of the legal profession, the courts, to the prisons and the probation service.
‘Violent crime is rising and the system is dealing with a tsunami of highly sensitive sex cases, which are set to occupy it for years to come – it is imperative that enough investment is put in, across the sector, to ensure that the rights of victims and defendants are upheld.’
If £3bn can be found to repair the Houses of Parliament, the pair said, money must be available to invest in justice: ‘It is not an optional extra, but an essential element in a fair and tolerant society.’
They called on the next government to reverse the legal aid cuts, support the independent criminal Bar, repair the collapsing fabric of court buildings and retain the Human Rights Act as a powerful protector of victims.
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