Dear colleagues and friends, If society learns nothing from the #PostOffice #scandal it should learn that our #CriminalJusticeSystem. @TheCriminalBar

Dear colleagues and friends, If society learns nothing from the Post Office scandal it should learn that our Criminal Justice System without proper investment, like the NHS and other fundamental systems in our society, will fail to protect the very people it it is there to protect, the innocent.

Whilst the Inquiry continues we can point out that independence in prosecuting criminal offences is fundamental to justice being done.  Prosecutors as Ministers of Justice in our courts should be free from pressures brought to bear by anyone with a vested interest, whether that be large organisations, government, lobby groups, media, investigators or complainants.

The Criminal Bar guards its independence fiercely for this very reason with many barristers prosecuting and defending in turn, our training in ethics and standards ensures our suitability for the role and our instincts for fairness and compliance with the rule of law are ingrained.

Tana Adkin KC

Chair Mary Prior KC Vice Chair

On behalf of the Criminal Bar Association