The Lord Chancellor Jack Straw last week called on solicitors to join their local criminal justice boards.


Speaking at the launch of the Law Society's campaign on 'markets, justice and legal ethics', he said lawyers could bring 'valuable insight and new ideas' to discussions of how the criminal justice system could work better.



Responding also to criticism that legal aid reforms were being introduced without enough evidence, Straw said he is open to the idea of conducting some 'speedy research' into what the cost drivers in the criminal justice system really are, adding that he is 'famous within government' as an advocate of research.



However, he attacked what he said is a blame culture within the system, whereby defence solicitors hold prosecutors responsible for inefficiencies, who in turn blame magistrates. Straw also said he did not accept that proposed legal aid reforms were not based on research.



Straw praised the UK legal profession as 'one of the finest in the world'. However, he added that, as with other professionals such as doctors, there is an under-representation of women and people from ethnic minorities at the top end.



He added: 'I know there has been some improvement in recent years but we cannot be satisfied with allowing the current situation to continue. And nor it seems can consumers. Clients are looking at how the profession treats its staff and partners.'



Law Society President Andrew Holroyd said the profession has entered a 'seminal period', adding, 'our brand, our business, our success are all underpinned by shared ethical values'.



The debate marked the start of a series of national 'Rule One' events on the core values contained in the first rule of the solicitors' code of conduct. The events will examine the big questions facing solicitors in the 21st Century.



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Rachel Rothwell