Jon Robins takes issue with the corporate aspect of the largely well-intentioned Manifesto for Justice
“Justice is not like any other public service,” begins a “Manifesto for Justice” published last month with a cover depicting Lady Justice in a style apparently inspired by Soviet-era propaganda posters. It is a short pamphlet written by a coalition of groups comprising the Bar Council, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, the Law Centres Network, AdviceUK and the Legal Action Group.
Unlike other public services, there are few votes in “justice”. The great British public care deeply about the issues that impact upon doctors and teachers and the ability to do their jobs; but, to risk a generalisation, they couldn't give a monkey’s about lawyers and legal aid. So, inevitably, the parlous state of our legal system as it relates to ordinary people is a non-issue as 7 May approaches.
Selective view
So the manifesto is a well-meant attempt to rouse some enthusiasm to debate important issues that are largely ignored. It’s a modest 11
