The funding fallacy

The letter recently sent by Lord Justice Leveson, the senior presiding judge for England and Wales, to 2,000 judges and 28,000 magistrates warning of the cost consequences of a shortfall in income for the courts, highlights once again the funding fallacy that lies at the heart of the problems the civil courts face.

Leveson LJ appears to have been addressing himself largely to the criminal justice process, but any squeeze there will have an immediate effect on civil justice, given the priorities of the former. The letter comes at a time when despite the best efforts of all involved, practitioners are reporting increasing problems in county courts. It had been hoped that the new partnership agreement between the judiciary and the courts service for running the courts and protecting their budget was going to assist in resolving some perceived problems. The judiciary achieved a greater part in running the courts and “transparency”