SECOND READING
TODAY, THE LAW SOCIETY PUBLISHES ITS INTERIM REPORT, IN RESPONSE TO THE FIRST READING OF KEN CLARKE'S NEW JUSTICE BILL.
In 65 pages, including a whole range of relevant case histories, the Report sets out why the Law Society supports the Government's objectives of cutting costs and cutting crime, yet sincerely believes that the reforms proposed in the Bill are more likely to produce the catastrophic opposite effect:
· An increase in costs
· An increase in crime
It asks the questions which the Government should answer now, or answer to the electorate later if the Bill is rail-roaded through on a fast-track basis.
Click here for all the questions
It also reminds the Ministry of Justice that it has produced a radical alternative plan based on:
· Capping legal fees and
· Improving efficiency
Rather than
· Cutting services and
· Effectively excluding the poorest and most vulnerable members of society from access to justice
The Law Society is ready and willing to put their case to the Coalition.
All the signs suggest that the Bill is to be forced through parliament in haste. The government is not listening.
Launching the report Linda Lee, President of the Law Society said, firmly believe that as it stands the Bill will only achieve the following:
· Cuts in civil legal will increase criminality and damage social cohesion;
· Cuts in civil legal aid will penalise the victims of crime and not the perpetrators;
· Clause 12 will undermine a cornerstone of our justice system;
· The Jackson reforms will increase costs to businesses, to government departments and the taxpayer as well as raid the damages of victims of serious injury by up to 25%.
· We oppose plans in clause 52 to cap the compensation people receive when they have been wrongfully prosecuted by the state.
Click here to read the full speech.
Today we want to ask you Is the Coalition ready to listen?
Read the report in full and come to your own conclusion.
