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19 July 2007 / Andrew Keogh
Issue: 7282 / Categories: Features
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The justice merry-go-round

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The government’s latest criminal justice reforms could be a recipe for disaster, says Andrew Keogh

It is not only the mandated right to legislate that governments enjoy, but also a duty to pass laws that improve the lot of citizens. One must therefore be careful before jumping in to criticise the 68th piece of criminal justice legislation since 1997. The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill is a mixed bag of reforms with many having the appearance of being designed in haste—always a recipe for disaster as far as criminal justice legislation is concerned.

The impact of the reforms on the legal aid budget is staggering and estimated in the regulatory impact assessment as being in the order of £2m per annum. It remains to be seen, given that the Ministry of Justice is the sponsoring department for the Bill, how this will be funded, except via further cuts in scope of remuneration levels.

SENTENCING AND CONVICTIONS

Part 2 of the Bill deals with sentencing. In reality the Bill simply seeks to correct the perceived mistakes

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

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Sponsored by
Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn adds employee benefits and executive compensation practice in London with partner Richard Surtees

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL appoints new partner and head of intellectual property disputes

Muckle LLP—Roland Fairlamb

Muckle LLP—Roland Fairlamb

Specialist associate solicitor rejoins Muckle’s leading employment team

NEWS
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NLJ this week: Property cases reshape established principles
A series of recent decisions has clarified important principles across property law, from perpetuities to lease renewals and public rights over land
NLJ this week: Stress ruling raises the bar for employers
Employers cannot rely on wellbeing services alone to defend workplace stress claims after a High Court decision awarding almost £1m to an overworked employee
NLJ this week: Can Manchesterism revive access to justice?
Andy Burnham's brand of 'Manchesterism' could offer fresh thinking on legal aid and access to justice if it reaches Westminster, according to Roger Smith, NLJ columnist and former director of JUSTICE
NLJ this week: Constitutional conventions tested as power changes hands
The constitutional fallout from a change of prime minister, rather than the politics, is under scrutiny as questions arise over the limits of executive authority in a leadership transition
NLJ this week: Lawyers must become product designers
The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift from selling services to creating technology-enabled products, according to Professor Luke Mason, Head of School of Law at Regent's University London
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