header-logo header-logo

17 July 2015 / David Greene
Issue: 7661 / Categories: Opinion
printer mail-detail

Mixed messages

nlj_7661_greene

Can a “one nation civil justice process” become a reality in a budget restricted world? David Greene has his doubts

Patrick Allen writes stridently and with passion of the government’s policies and the effect on the justice process, particularly now that the Conservative Chancellor is free of the bonds of marriage to the Liberals (see “The end for civil legal aid?” NLJ, 10 July 2015, p 6 & online at www.newlawjournal.co.uk ).

We have now had two public occasions to gain a measure of the new Government’s approach to both civil and criminal justice—the Lord Chancellor’s speech at the Legatum Institute last month, and the Chancellor’s summer budget.

In his speech—“What does a one nation justice policy look like?”—Michael Gove asserted to paint a picture of the Disraeli proposition of “One Nation Conservatism” as applied to the justice process both in crime and civil justice. I leave to sister publications to comment on the former although we should in no way regard them as unrelated. The changes in criminal justice and the reaction grab

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

Switalskis—Sally Ann Masih, Suzy Overton & Jane Beaumont

Switalskis—Sally Ann Masih, Suzy Overton & Jane Beaumont

Trio of recruits strengthens Switalskis residential property team

Ward Hadaway—Steven Hayward

Ward Hadaway—Steven Hayward

Birmingham law firm appoints construction partner

Flint Bishop—six appointments

Flint Bishop—six appointments

Flint Bishop accelerates Northern growth through strategic senior appointments

NEWS
A High Court decision has clarified that a home may be unfit for human habitation not only where conditions endanger health or safety, but also where they seriously undermine comfort and convenience

A longer time limit for employment tribunal claims, new charity law thresholds, property tribunal recruitment and appellate guidance on small-claims costs feature in the latest Civil Way round-up

A recent High Court ruling could make issue estoppel considerably more complex in cross-border litigation, requiring parties to consider the foreign law governing the underlying claim
The Supreme Court has overturned Cheshire West’s bright-line test for deprivation of liberty, replacing it with a broader, more contextual assessment that gives greater weight to an individual’s wishes, feelings and apparent consent
Jonathan Fisher KC’s wide-ranging fraud report contains worthwhile proposals, but turning them into workable reform will require money, capacity and political will
back-to-top-scroll