Today's budget was a missed opportunity for the government to provide desperately needed investment in the justice system the Law Society said today. It was responding to HM Treasury's announcement that justice spending will rise from £9.4bn this year to £9.8bn in 23/24 and £10bn in 24/25 - lower than the forecast rate of inflation. 

'We are disappointed the government has once again failed to invest in our justice system,' said Society president Lubna Shuja. 'The chancellor can find £63 million to invest in swimming pools but not our crumbling justice system.'

Shuja noted that it would take only £30 million to bridge the gap between current government proposals and independent recommendations to increase solicitor’s criminal legal aid fees by 15%.

Meanwhile 'Backlogs in every court means that for tens of thousands of people justice is delayed. Our courts are falling apart and there is a dire shortage of judges and court staff.  This lack of interest means the public are the ones who ultimately end up suffering.' 

'Should the criminal legal aid system collapse, this will mean criminal cases will be extensively delayed, the courts backlog will grow again and cause distress to victims,' Shuja said.  'We call on government to properly invest in all areas of the criminal justice system to ensure progress is made on reducing the backlogs, so victims and defendants no longer face such long waits for justice.'

Meanwhile Kirsty Brimelow KC, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said: 'With no mention of criminal justice, failing to budget for further funding of criminal barristers exposes the Ministry of Justice’s gap between words and action.'

 

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