Menu
05/03/2013
Top Judge Hits Out At Legal Aid Cuts
Lord Neuberger, UK's most senior judge, has raised concerns over legal aid cuts.
He told the BBC: "My worry is the removal of legal aid for people to get advice about law and get representation in court will start to undermine the rule of law because people will feel like the government isn't giving them access to justice in all sorts of cases.
"And that will either lead to frustration and lack of confidence in the system, or it will lead to people taking the law into their own hands."
He said their would be an increase in the number of people who represent themselves in court because they could not afford or get legal aid for a lawyer.
"This will mean that court hearings will last longer, the burden on court staff and judges will increase.
"And you may find the savings the government thinks it's making in legal aid will be offset in other costs of courts and judges and court staff in supporting litigants in person."
(GK)
He told the BBC: "My worry is the removal of legal aid for people to get advice about law and get representation in court will start to undermine the rule of law because people will feel like the government isn't giving them access to justice in all sorts of cases.
"And that will either lead to frustration and lack of confidence in the system, or it will lead to people taking the law into their own hands."
He said their would be an increase in the number of people who represent themselves in court because they could not afford or get legal aid for a lawyer.
"This will mean that court hearings will last longer, the burden on court staff and judges will increase.
"And you may find the savings the government thinks it's making in legal aid will be offset in other costs of courts and judges and court staff in supporting litigants in person."
(GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 September 2003
CAB warns legal aid system decimated by government audits
The legal aid system is being audited out of existence to the extent that the poor and socially excluded "are unable to receive the help they need", the Citizens Advice annual conference was told today.
CAB warns legal aid system decimated by government audits
The legal aid system is being audited out of existence to the extent that the poor and socially excluded "are unable to receive the help they need", the Citizens Advice annual conference was told today.
28 January 2014
Escaped Terrorism Suspect Granted Legal Aid To Fight Court Orders
A terror suspect, who absconded after changing into a burka in a London mosquw, has been granted legal aid to appeal against a ruling restricting his movements. 27-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed has been missing since November and his current whereabouts are unknown.
Escaped Terrorism Suspect Granted Legal Aid To Fight Court Orders
A terror suspect, who absconded after changing into a burka in a London mosquw, has been granted legal aid to appeal against a ruling restricting his movements. 27-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed has been missing since November and his current whereabouts are unknown.
15 February 2005
'McLibel' duo victorious in legal aid case
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that two environmentalists, sued for libel by McDonalds, should have received legal aid from the government. Helen Steel and David Morris, who became known as the 'McLibel Two', were forced to pay libel damages of £40,000 to the fast-food giant, following a trial in the 1990's.
'McLibel' duo victorious in legal aid case
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that two environmentalists, sued for libel by McDonalds, should have received legal aid from the government. Helen Steel and David Morris, who became known as the 'McLibel Two', were forced to pay libel damages of £40,000 to the fast-food giant, following a trial in the 1990's.
11 May 2006
Appeal bid by van Hoogstraten rejected
Millionaire businessman Nicholas van Hoogstraten has been denied the right to appeal a High Court ruling that he was involved in the murder of a rival. Mr van Hoogstraten, 60, from Uckfield in Sussex had been seeking to enter an appeal in relation to the murder of rival businessman Mohammed Raja in 1999.
Appeal bid by van Hoogstraten rejected
Millionaire businessman Nicholas van Hoogstraten has been denied the right to appeal a High Court ruling that he was involved in the murder of a rival. Mr van Hoogstraten, 60, from Uckfield in Sussex had been seeking to enter an appeal in relation to the murder of rival businessman Mohammed Raja in 1999.
16 August 2004
Six charged over Tube station death
Six people have been charged in relation to the killing of a 19-year-old man who was stabbed at a London Tube station on Thursday. British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police were called in to Hounslow West Underground station at 11.20pm on Thursday.
Six charged over Tube station death
Six people have been charged in relation to the killing of a 19-year-old man who was stabbed at a London Tube station on Thursday. British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police were called in to Hounslow West Underground station at 11.20pm on Thursday.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
