Budget Delivers little for Justice Portfolio
Summary
The Government has today delivered its First Budget has has offered little for the ailing Justice System . Shrinking budgets for the justice system have put it in crisis and the British people increasingly are left high and dry when […]
The Government has today delivered its First Budget has has offered little for the ailing Justice System .
Shrinking budgets for the justice system have put it in crisis and the British people increasingly are left high and dry when it comes to accessing vital legal advice, the Law Society of England and Wales said today.
“Austerity is not ending in the justice sector,” Law Society president Simon Davis warned, “and while £23 million has been made available for the ‘wider justice system’, including a £5m trial of specialist courts for domestic abuse cases, £15m to improve the government’s offer to victims and £3 million for the Royal Commission on criminal justice process, it is a drop in the ocean and does not come close to the hundreds of millions cut from legal aid.
“It is positive to see the recognition of the trauma experienced by those affected by domestic abuse and we welcome the commitment in the Budget to early intervention and rehabilitation measures for perpetrators.
“However, this needs to go hand in hand with proper investment in legal aid services. The 2012 legal aid cuts have left the legal aid system in crisis.
“We look forward to contributing to the Royal Commission on criminal justice.”