The Law Society has expressed its hopefulness that access to justice will be at the core of the government’s legislative agenda ahead of the King’s Speech tomorrow.
Law Society of England and Wales president Nick Emmerson said:
“The King’s Speech is an opportunity for the government to ensure the justice system is in a better state than it was in at the beginning of the parliament.
The criminal and civil courts are suffering due to years of neglect. Victims, witnesses, defendants and families, who are waiting to have their cases heard at court, are being severely impacted as a result.
We urge the government to focus on fixing the issues in the justice system by investing in staff, judges and its buildings, so court time isn’t wasted by delayed repairs or not enough court staff and judges.
Properly funding legal aid will also ensure there are enough legal aid firms to handle civil and criminal cases.
Reinstating legal aid for early advice in the family courts will mean that thousands of couples will be able to get their children out of the legal system and back with them.
If the government wants to make greater use of prison for serious offenders, it is essential this is balanced by measures that ensure there is prison capacity to cope with this.”
