The JUSTICE Working Party on Delivering Justice in an Age of Austerity was tasked with the question: how best to maximise justice for everyone, not simply those who can afford the cost of legal advice and representation? Its recent report provides an answer, setting out proposals for systemic change to the way our civil courts and tribunals resolve disputes.
The Chair of the Working Party, The Rt. Hon Sir Stanley Burnton, was joined by experts from across the legal profession, namely: Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC, Andrea Coomber, Carlos Dabezies, Amanda Finlay CBE, Professor Rosemary Hunter FAcSS, Sir Paul Jenkins KCB QC, Andrew Lidbetter, Andrew Lockley, Ruchi Parekh, Nigel Pleming QC, Lucy Scott-Moncrieff CBE and Professor Richard Susskind OBE. Their work was generously supported by Herbert Smith Freehills.
The much-anticipated report was launched to a packed reception at Herbert Smith Freehills on 23 April 2015. If you missed the launch, watch it in full today.
In addressing the audience, the Lord Chief Justice, The Rt. Hon Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, welcomed the report as a “major way forward” and an “amazing achievement” which offers a “soundly based approach” for the profession, politicians and public to consider.
You can also watch our interview with Sir Stanley to find out how he got involved with the project, if the aims of the Working Party were met and any response he has for potential critics.
Find out more information about the Working Party and read the full report.
As part of the new JUSTICE strategy involving working more closely with our members, we will be establishing other working parties in the coming year. Any members interested in becoming more directly involved in JUSTICE’s work should look out for upcoming announcements of further opportunities.