Lord Falconer, Labour’s Shadow Justice  Secretary, responding to the Lord Chief Justice’s Annual Report to Parliament, in which he says that “our justice system has become unaffordable to most”, said:

“Lord Thomas is absolutely right  - under this Government, access to justice is out of reach for all but the most wealthy. 

“Access to legal help and advice is a cornerstone of the rule of law and the mark of a decent society. Yet despite their warm words, the Tories’ assault on legal aid has left many of most vulnerable people in our society to cope on their own. 

“It is high time Ministers woke up to this issue, starting with bringing forward the review of the impacts of their reforms.”

Ends

Editors notes

https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/lcj_report_2015-final.pdf