In a series of developments ahead of the UK's Spring Budget announcement on 6 March, key figures in the legal and justice system have raised alarms over the state of the justice system, urging for increased funding and warning against further cuts. Sam Townend KC, Chair of the Bar Council, emphasized the justice system's inability to cope with more cuts, describing any further austerity as a 'false economy' and advocating for investment in courts, legal aid, and advice with the stance that "Justice should be seen as an area where the government can spend to save." Similarly, Nick Emmerson, President of The Law Society, highlighted the public's concern for justice and the necessity for significant additional funding. The government has announced legislative changes to facilitate easier access for individuals to secure funding for legal claims against companies, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. Additionally, there's a focused effort to address the backlog of rape cases, with nearly 200 'very old' rape trials expected to begin by the end of July, addressing years of delays which have been described as a ‘significant injustice’. This initiative is supported by the Criminal Bar Association, which has warned about the potential departure of barristers from rape and sexual violence cases due to poor pay and high stress. Lord Justice Edis and others have stressed the importance of investing in skilled and experienced advocates to ensure the effective functioning of the justice system.
Thank you to @DarrenG_Henry @CPJElmore @JimShannonMP @justinmadders @kevinhollinrake for progressing this important bill supporting widowed parents and bereaved babies - a huge step forward 🙏 @WidowedAndYoung https://t.co/5xgYX5E5Hn
It is heartening to read that Lord Justice Edis values the expertise that barristers bring to the job of prosecuting and defending rape cases. No one is obliged to do this emotionally draining work. Very proud of all who do. @TheCriminalBar
“We support initiatives like this that turn the spotlight on to the delays crisis blighting our criminal justice system.” Chair Tana Adkin KC "We simply do not have enough specialist counsel left to prosecute and defend these important cases. If the government is serious about…
Lord Justice Edis said: "Our system requires a substantial supply of skilled and experienced advocates in all our offence categories, but nowhere more than in rape and other serious sexual offences. "They are a very valuable asset and it's disappointing to read that survey, but I… https://t.co/fn58lFHqcO
I need rape victims to access swift justice and RASSO barristers are key in that mission. I will continue to call on Govt to invest in the workforce, as the justice system can only function effectively with skilled and experienced advocates @TheCriminalBar https://t.co/EXr9zQyLkp
The plan comes weeks after the Criminal Bar Association said that six out of 10 barristers who conducted rape and sexual violence cases could walk away from the work because of poor pay and high stress. Tana Adkin KC, chair of the CBA, said: "We support initiatives like this that…
Judges have pledged to end two-year court waits for rape victims to gain justice @AlexChalkChelt @RobertBuckland @neill_bob @MoJGovUK @RASASC_London https://t.co/jirtDTxStx https://t.co/lTPEf1xVmM
The parents of Hannah Clarke, the woman who was murdered alongside her three children by her husband, have detailed their trauma over the last four years as they celebrate the passing of historic new domestic violence laws in Queensland. https://t.co/bSAQ1vVsmc
Thank you @LDNVictimsComm for all that you’ve just said on @BBCr4today . It’s telling that I’ve become emotional listening to you acknowledge the specialist cadre of RASSO barristers. To even be appreciated publicly like that will mean so much to @TheCriminalBar
As senior judges agree on plan to bring longest delayed rape trials before juries by end of July, a reminder of some journalism we’ve done on #Newsnight over last yr on court delays & severe impact on defendants/witnesses/victims: https://t.co/171ng2t6X3
Nearly 200 'very old' rape case trials could begin by the end of July in the UK after years of delays. Some cases are retrials and some involve alleged victims who are children https://t.co/pmr7qlti7X
Tana Adkin KC, chair of the CBA, backed Edis’s initiative but added: “If the government is serious about prioritising rape cases then it needs to urgently invest in the dedicated workforce who are specially trained in this work. We are unable to retain and recruit the brightest… https://t.co/AzmGvO2KVH
Years of delays to rape trials a ‘significant injustice’, says judge https://t.co/4FBvqIckRP
“Further cuts would be an absolute disaster for justice. This is a system that desperately needs significant additional funding just to stand still.” President Nick Emmerson tells @FT (£), as we wait for the Lord Chancellor’s Spring Budget on 6 March. https://t.co/nbOFjE2KeV https://t.co/Hnuykdcx4q
“The public do care about justice and are vocal when it is lacking.” President Nick Emmerson tells @Telegraph (£), as govt says it will announce legislation which will make it easier for the public to secure funding for legal fights against corporations. https://t.co/PqW8YruQl8 https://t.co/36hmPsh7Sv
The U.K. government announced legislative changes on Monday designed to make it easier for people to secure funding for legal claims against companies in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling that made many litigation agreements unenforceable. https://t.co/yBxf0BRTqP
We often work with bereaved families. Last week, one of our SAP members @NorrisNour called for Raneem's law. It's another example of a family coming forward to protect other victims. We support this call https://t.co/NpPq7YMySc @Yvettecooper @Jessphillips @Killedwomen #ThePush
Our Chair Sam Townend KC said: “Justice should be seen as an area where the government can spend to save.” ⬇️ https://t.co/LbRQDjHJBM
"Sam Townend KC, chair of the Bar Council, said the scale of cuts represented a 'false economy'". ‘Disastrous’: Justice system leaders warn Jeremy Hunt against further austerity - https://t.co/fG7UTUYe9S via @ft
Ahead of the Budget, our Chair Sam Townend KC warns that the justice system cannot cope with further cuts: "Justice should be seen as an area where the government can spend to save." We need urgent investment in courts, legal aid & advice. Read more: https://t.co/2fewr1UQQD https://t.co/G2yUG7vUB4
Courts at 'boiling point' says top lawyer in plea for justice money in Budget https://t.co/Y8jD26B217