header-logo header-logo

Is this justice?

11 April 2025 / Mark Jones , Alex Curran
Issue: 8112 / Categories: Opinion , Legal services , Criminal , Family , ADR , Rule of law
printer mail-detail
215640
Planned cuts to the Civil Service risk adding further pressure to a public court system already at breaking point: Mark Jones & Alex Curran report on the deepening crisis

Ever since Rachel Reeves entered No 11 on 5 July 2024, she has made no secret of the need for central government to tighten the proverbial purse strings. While some commentators may be more focused on her money-saving measures announced in the Spring Statement on 26 March 2025, three days earlier the Chancellor announced that she planned to cut government departmental costs by 15% by the end of the decade, and would do so by slashing the Civil Service’s budget.

The prospect of further cuts to a public court system that is already at breaking point will send shivers down the spine of any court user, be they a professional or lay member of the public.

Current court backlogs

Justice delayed is justice denied, and that applies to all parties involved in cases before the family and criminal courts.

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

National Pro Bono Centre—Esther McConnell & Sarah Oliver Scemla

National Pro Bono Centre—Esther McConnell & Sarah Oliver Scemla

Charity strengthens leadership as national Pro Bono Week takes place

Michelman Robinson—Akshay Sewlikar

Michelman Robinson—Akshay Sewlikar

Dual-qualified partner joins London disputes practice

McDermott Will & Schulte—Karen Butler

McDermott Will & Schulte—Karen Butler

Transactions practice welcomes partner in London office

NEWS
Intellectual property lawyers have expressed disappointment a ground-breaking claim on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) ended with no precedent being set
Two separate post-implementation reviews are being held into the extension of fixed recoverable costs for personal injury claims and the whiplash regime
Legal executives can apply for standalone litigation practice rights, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has confirmed, in a move likely to offset some of the confusion caused by Mazur
Delays in the family court in London and the south east are partly due to a 20% shortage of judges, Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the Family Division, has told MPs
Entries are now open for the 2026 LexisNexis Legal Awards, celebrating achievement and innovation in the law across 24 categories
back-to-top-scroll