The justice infrastructure is in decline globally.
The figures from the US, UK, Europe budget show very clearly the underfunding of the legal professions, the state of the buildings in which judges practice their profession, the conditions in which trials take place, the long delays in settling trials, the lack of legal education at global and regional level, the lack of respect for the law of the population, the ever-changing laws and the list goes on.
In the UK, the president of The Law Society, Chair of The Criminal Bar, Chair of The Council Bar and others are expressing concern over the budget cut on criminal law.
” Bar chair Sam Townend KC agreed: ‘The money announced for family courts and criminal justice today is welcome, but it is a drop in the ocean in terms of what the justice sector really needs to get back to working order after years of underinvestment,’ he said. ‘Court buildings are crumbling, solicitors and barristers are burned out, and victims and defendants are left in the backlogs. Justice delays lead to injustice. https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/budget-cash-for-dispute-resolution-but-moj-spending-cut-by-500m/5118972.article
On criminal justice funding, Nick Emmerson said: “We are pleased the criminal courts will be given a funding boost, with an aim of reducing unnecessary trial delays.
Photo: Nick Emmerson
“However, we are disappointed the government has failed to pledge any funding for criminal legal aid.
To reduce the backlog, Criminal Bar Association chair Tana Adkin KC said the government must invest in more legal professionals required to deliver fair trials.
‘Doing nothing to increase rape and serious sexual offence fees is not an option unless we want to accept that rape and serious sexual offence trials will continue to be delayed for years, repeatedly postponed on the day because there is no barrister to prosecute or defend,’ Adkin said. ‘The human cost for victims of these crimes as well as innocent defendants is beyond financial measure.’ *The Law Gazette
France is in a dilemma whereby judges and lawyers have not yet resolved their professional differences, continue to survive as local courts are beset by cases.
Even if they are different systems in doctrine, judicial systems are in free fall. Judges, lawyers, experts, litigants are in situations that destroy trust in the profession, the results are unpredictable and an imminent collapse is felt by each of us.
By
Robert Williams
Editor in Chief
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