Now that it is proposed to reveal a defendant's previous similar convictions to juries, we can expect a flood of objections in the name of 'justice'.

There was similar outrage over changes to committal hearings, charades often abused to intimidate witnesses, and 'right to silence' - a charade wheeled out by those otherwise caught in the act. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the real effect was the removal of procedural injustice against the state and victim.


Practitioners interested in a justice balancing state and individual rights should welcome the proposed changes. However, I suspect many will write to explain that the sky will fall in.



Edward White, solicitor, Eastbourne, Sussex