Summary
The justice system requires urgent attention. Crumbling courts, record backlogs, prisons at capacity, insufficient funding and availability of legal aid, a rise in litigants in person set against a backdrop of a workforce shortage to service these growing demands. The system has been starved of resources with cuts in real term spending on justice of 22% since 2009/10.
Despite some temporary measures implemented by successive administrations, there has been no significant progress to properly maintain the justice system, despite it being a fundamental public service and bedrock of a good functioning society.
Without immediate investment, the justice system will not be able to function. The legislation announced in the King’s Speech is broadly welcome but immediate action coupled with long-term reform is needed.
