The University of York student's essay, 'Trust on trial: the eroding legitimacy of law in a polarised age', explores how political divisions and public distrust threaten the foundation of democratic legal systems.
Xue argues that the biggest challenge over the next 20 years will not be legal reform, but the erosion of public confidence in courts and governments. He highlights how judicial decisions are increasingly framed through partisan lenses, leading many to see the law as a political tool rather than an impartial safeguard. He points to the UK government’s response to recent Supreme Court rulings and US leaders dismissing judicial review as examples of this shift. ‘When courts are attacked as political actors, trust in the system dissolves,’ he warns.
The essay underscores that people obey laws not just because of enforcement but because they believe in their fairness. Once that belief weakens, compliance becomes a matter of convenience rather than principle. Xue insists that restoring trust in legal institutions is not just a legal task—it is a democratic imperative, requiring politicians, courts, and the public to reaffirm the law’s role as a protector of rights, not a weapon for political gain.
As his prize for winning the competition Xue will be undertaking a week's work experience with competition sponsor Brown Rudnick in June.
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