By Ashley Young-
Barristers from the Bar Council have urged the next government to reverse cuts to legal aid, abolish ‘innocence tax’ and invest in court infrastructure.
In a manifesto called ‘Urgent Action Required’, the Bar Council says the justice system is ‘on its knees’ making reference to ‘swingeing’ cuts, court closures, an under-resourced Crown Prosecution Service and growing numbers of litigants in person.
The Bar Council made six recommendations to the next government, urging them to fund the justice system properly, place accessible justice at the heart of the court system, reinvest in legal aid, abolish ‘innocence tax’ where the state prosecutes an individual and refuses to pay their costs when they are acquitted – to recognise the value of legal services, and to promote the bar’s position internationally by ensuring the free movement of lawyers is protected.
The manifesto says: ’A properly funded justice system is long overdue. For years, successive governments have damaged it. The cumulative effects of ill-conceived, short-term decisions over the last decade is undeniable.’ It also refers to the fact that the Ministry of Justice budget has been cut by 40% since 2011 – it currently stands at £6.9bn – and the fact that 277 courts and 18 tribunals have closed in the past decade.
Richard Atkins QC, chair of the Bar Council said: ”once highly regarded as a vital public service, today’s justice system is widely acknowledged to be suffering from years of under-investment. Crime is increasing, yet prosecutions are falling.
”Too many people are unable to access justice quickly or effectively. As a result, there is understandable public dissatisfaction with the state of the justice system. Urgent action is required to remedy this”.
PRESSURE
Atkins told young barristers at the annual bar and young bar conference to remain optimistic about future change, saying that sustained pressure needs to be put on the Ministry Of Justice to bring about the necessary change. Representatives from the Bar Council told The Eye Of Media.Com that the short comings in the legal system are too much to leave as it is. A Spokesperson said:
”The problems have been recurrent. Too many court cases start a lot later than they should, meaning that barristers don’t get value for money since they can’t charge their clients for the long hourly waits caused by structural delays in the system. Having an underfunded court system and Crown Prosecution System is disastrous for any system, and eventually compromises justice.
”Cuts to legal aid also means that many litigants in person will not get justice simply because of affordability issues. Promoting and upholding the rule of law also means creating the conditions for its implementation;;