[THREAD] Delighted to chat with @JudgeRinderTV earlier today on @bbc5live about the problems within the criminal justice system from a @YLALawyers perspective - featuring @TheCriminalBar & @daniellejmanson. Here's the link: bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b…. Now for @TheLawSociety facts...
The FACT is, since 2010/2011 and come 2019/2020, the Ministry of Justice budget will have been cut by 40%. Just think about that for a second. A 40% cut!!! See this wonderful article outlining the crisis...the full blown emergency:
legalvoice.org.uk/crisis-full-bl…
legalvoice.org.uk/crisis-full-bl…
There's so much data from @TheLawSociety, but allow me to pick two of the best and in many ways, two of the worst.
Firstly, criminal defence solicitors in England and Wales have not recieved a pay increase since 1998. The silient killer in all of this is of course inflation.
Firstly, criminal defence solicitors in England and Wales have not recieved a pay increase since 1998. The silient killer in all of this is of course inflation.
Here's the link: lawsociety.org.uk/news/press-rel…
Next up, let's look at the average age. Again, the FACT is, the average age of a criminal duty solicitor across the whole of England and Wales is now 47, and in many regions the average age is even higher. Here's the data:
the-law-society.carto.com/builder/85de68…
the-law-society.carto.com/builder/85de68…
From a @YLALawyers perspective, I can assure you that there is a sucession and retention crisis. You just need to read YLAL Social Mobility Report here:
younglegalaidlawyers.org/sites/default/…
younglegalaidlawyers.org/sites/default/…
And also, if you fancy a quick read of my blog on succcession and retention, you can read that here:
stephendavieslegalblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/08/blo…
stephendavieslegalblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/08/blo…
Anyone can be suspected of a criminal offence. Anyone can be a victim of a criminal offence. Crime does not discriminate. You will want the best criminal lawyer to defend and prosecute. This is about access to justice for the public.
To find out more about the horrifying state of the criminal justice system, I truly recommend the Bach Commission, A Right to Justice 2017, and the wonderful book by @BarristerSecret - Stories of the Law and How It's Broken.
In my view, the Government need to inject more cash into the criminal justice system for the police, crown prosecution service, probation and legal aid - both solicitors and barristers. We need to discuss legal aid rates. The remuneration is simply inadequate.
We need to appoint an independant pay review board for legal aid rates and index link them to inflation. There is a price on justice.
