Justice takes centre stage
Just in time for the General Election season, the Bar Counci l—at a reception at the House of Commons on 3 December 2009—launched a “Manifesto of Justice” in conjunction with Liberty, ILEX, JUSTICE, Legal Aid Practitioners Group, Law Centres Federation, and Advice UK.
The group’s aim is to support three core principles: good governance and the rule of law, respect for human rights, and civil liberties and access tojustice. The event was intended to begin the process of making a strong case for the role of a good justice system.
Fewer new criminal justice Acts—but more analysis of the effectiveness of existing ones— explaining to the public what the Human Rights Act does and does not do, providing legal advice for all who need it and promoting a diverse and representative judiciary and profession are amongst the initiatives it is hoped the political parties will sign up to, whether or not they achieve power.
